All American Review: Stakes Is High (Season 2 Episode 15)

It’s one step back, three steps forward for All American. 

All American Season 2 Episode 15, “Stakes Is High,” titles its episode well. Managing to walk back any regression created in previous episodes, it catapults characters forward in riveting ways, highlighting their immense growth over the past two seasons.

Asher’s done some irreparable damage, but “Stakes Is High” really does its best to remind the audience how far he’s come as a character. It allows him not only to make good decisions, but emphasizes his true motivations by bringing his father back into the fold.

Recognizing Asher’s familial struggles humanizes him and gives him a deeply appreciated complexity. He may not be the most likable character at the moment, but at least his depth makes him captivating to watch.

Asher’s motivations do line up, but he’s still forced to pay the price by coming clean to the team; it’s the only move All American has if it wants to keep Asher a redeemable character.

Mr. Adams communicating with his son is placating, but the real satisfaction comes from Billy tearing into him over his reckless actions. Any child who has been accustomed to the type of overbearing abuse Asher has, can appreciate how a coach like Billy would have changed the quality of their lives. 

The show really gives consequence wherever consequence is due in “Stakes Is High,” forcing both Asher and Billy to face their mistakes. 

It’s not what we want to see for Billy–he’s come a long way. We met a selfish Billy Baker; someone leading the Eagles as a pathway for his own success. Now, Billy’s actions are out of pure love for his team.

It doesn’t make it right, but it does make his character worth investing in.

Billy facing major repercussions last season wouldn’t have stirred the same fervor it does now–he’s officially a character we want to get behind, a character we want to see succeed, regardless of his mistakes.

That’s true for all of All American‘s characters, really. Watching Coop finally find her way through struggle, and towards happiness, is unbelievably satisfying. Her growth within her relationship with Patience, and the determination to remain authentic to her music is a beautiful coda to her previous arc.

The same is true for Layla, whose mental health has been an ongoing journey throughout this entire season.

It’s impressive All American continues to thread that aspect of Layla’s character into her journey. Treatment doesn’t “fix you,” but the time spent with Coop and music allows her a vessel for staying healthy, placing a perfect finish on her story this season. 

Layla’s learning to take care of herself. 

So is Olivia, who puts herself first this episode, possibly for the first time since we met her. Watching a character like Olivia blame herself for someone else’s poor decisions is heartbreaking, but witnessing her walk away from an unhealthy situation is a breath of fresh air.

Even Spencer finds a happy medium in “Stakes Is High,” figuring a way to move his dreams forward without recklessly placing his safety in danger.

The only disconnect continues to be Jordan, whose arc is so thickly woven around stalking a pregnant girl he barely knows, he’s not even visible anymore.

The Simone storyline does give Jordan some growth as a character; allowing him to drop his selfish outbursts in exchange for kindness and sensitivity.

Unfortunately, the chemistry between the actors isn’t strong enough to sell this as a love story. The intensity in which Simone pushes Jordan away makes things feel more like pathetic longing than an endearing start of a relationship.

Jordan shines brightest when he’s leading the team, or interacting with his family. He deserves a plotline that allows him to move forward with his life, not one that holds him back. Everyone else gets that opportunity, he should be no different.  

The dreaded Jordan/Simone romance feels inevitable, but if the penultimate is any indication, All American stands to have explosively epic season’s end. “Stakes Is High” is a near-flawless hour of television, and it proves how sometimes the subtler moments are a shows most poignant.

What the finale will bring is a mystery, but there will undoubtedly be an abundance of romance, drama, and of course, football. 

Oh, and a gigantic cliffhanger that leaves us stressing for the summer.

I for one can’t wait to find out what it is. 

Random Thoughts:

• Coop and Patience are the healthiest romantic couple on All American, and that is so important for female/female relationships. It’s the representation we need to see. 
• JJ thinking goat yoga means “GOAT yoga,” and forcing everyone to participate is so on brand. 
• You could make a drinking game out of how many times Simone tells Jordan to “go live his life,” and how many times he does not listen. 
• The shot of Asher walking off the field as the rest of the Eagles fight Westlake is an extraordinarily poignant directional choice. 
• Coop and Layla’s friendship is developing into a beautiful thing.  

What did you think of this episode of All American? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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All American airs on Mondays at 8/7c on The CW. 

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