All American Season 3 Trailer: Spencer’s Return To Crenshaw Shakes Things Up

With so many productions back up and running, we’re finally starting to get a wave of new TV content.

What’s most exciting for me is the return of All American. It’s a series that takes the drama and angst of any classic teen soap and seamlessly melds it together with relevant social justice issues, making it one powerhouse of a television show.

While Season 3 doesn’t officially return until January 18th, The CW (finally) dropped a new trailer, giving us a peek into what Crenshaw and Beverly Hills will look like once we dive back in — and boy oh boy, does it look like a wild ride.

Because I love All American that much, and can’t possibly wait until January to start obsessing, I’m breaking down what we’ve seen from the trailer so far, and speculating on what pieces we can put together in anticipation for the Season 3 premiere.

Spencer’s Back At Crenshaw And People Don’t Love It

Spencer is officially back at Crenshaw High, and while he insists to a reporter his decision to transfer wasn’t some kind of reckless abandonment, his old Beverly Hills teammates seem like they think differently.

Jordan certainly doesn’t seem ready to let Spencer go quietly. He pokes the bear by insinuating Spencer’s left his teammates high and dry (“you changed the color of your jersey”), and doesn’t hesitate to blame Spencer for turning his back on him, personally.

Considering the brotherhood Jordan and Spencer have developed over the past two seasons, it’s understandable that Jordan would feel let down, but if I had to guess, there seem to be some other underlying motives for Jordan’s anger. 

Spencer Gets Punched

From the looks of things, Spencer seems to be getting along with some of the Beverly Hills crew. He’s shaking hands and promising things won’t change, so why is Jordan losing his cool?

I have a few ideas!

Olivia could be causing tension, considering the intense eye contact between her and Spencer we’re getting in the trailer. There’s also the possibility Jordan feels Spencer has taken his father away from him, just as the two had started to bond. 

Billy Baker, Coach Of Crenshaw

If you remember from All American Season 2 Episode 16, “Decisions,” Billy Baker decided taking a job at Crenshaw would be the best choice for him — personally and professionally.

Unfortunately, things don’t look like they’re going all that much better for Billy over at Crenshaw High.  He’s got a team that’s both resentful and unwilling to work with him; probably stemming from Billy’s history with turning his back on Crenshaw all those years ago. 

The kids aren’t exactly Billy’s only problem; with a new tight-laced principal riding his heels, he’s got issues from all sides. Something tells us the GPA being raised for football eligibility is only the first of many conflicts between these two. 

(And will Billy being in Crenshaw re-ignite sparks between him and Grace? Or will he patch things up with Laura?!)

Even with all the drama, this feels like a great arc set up for Billy; he drifted in Season 2, and Taye Diggs shines brightest when he’s inspiring others and overcoming obstacles.

The entire narrative feels akin to later-seasons Friday Night Lights, and I’m here for that. Let’s get those kids studying, and watch this deserving team win a championship!

So Wait — Who’s Dating Who Again?

Relationship statues were widely left up in the air at the end of Season 2.

Jordan and Simone finally decided to make it official, but Spencer and Layla were still taking things slow as friends. Meanwhile, Asher and Olivia planned to spend the summer apart before seeing what happens. 

it’s not lost on us that all summer plans led to Olivia and Spencer spending two months alone together, which is why it’s almost surprising to see Layla and Spencer briefly kissing!

We even see Layla and Simone discussing plans for their boyfriends. Assuming those boyfriends are Spencer and Jordan, we’re pretty certain those big plans have to do with bringing the boys back together again. 

But that still doesn’t answer how Layla and Spencer found their way back together, or why Olivia’s face looks so distraught when she’s hugging Spencer. This isn’t our first teen trama rodeo; we know pining angst when we see it!

Are we headed towards a love triangle? 

The plot only thickens when we see Olivia admit she’s lied to Layla. Could it be that Olivia lied is about her feelings for Spencer? Did something happen between them over the summer, or are her lies about something else completely? 

Relapse Is A Slippery Slope

We can’t forget that when we last saw Olivia, she was chugging a bottle of liquor. Could she still be backing sliding into relapse, or has she stayed strong and thriving, with Spencer by her side? 

All signs are pointing to these two bonding just a little too much over the summer and having to deal with their underlying feels once life gets back to normal in the Fall.

I, for one, think it’s well past time we get some romantic Spelivia on our screens.

Speaking Of Spencer — Guess His Arm Is Okay?

In the final moments of Season 2, we see Spencer’s shoulder give out on him.

In the trailer, it looks like he’s ready to play football, so what’s the deal? Was that pain in his arm a fluke, or does he have something to hide, too — like covering up the pain in order to play out his senior year. 

Because we do get a flash of someone — most likely Spencer — laying flat on the ground during a Crenshaw gam, my guess is we haven’t seen the last of his arm issues.

WHAT IS THE SECRET?

The biggest mystery is the “big summer secret” Layla seems hellbent on keeping under wraps.

On a show like All American, the possibilities are endless.

From just a 60 second trailer, we’ve already come up with several options — Olivia could have feelings for Spencer, Spencer and Olivia could have hooked up over summer break, Spencer’s arm could still be causing him problems, Olivia could be relapsing. We are getting overwhelmed by all the possibilities. 

This secret is Layla’s though, and judging from her tone of voice, it feels like something lighter. Could it be that Coop had wild success on tour, and is getting signed to a label?

We hope so because Coop deserves to have it all. She got the girl, and after a hard first two seasons, she deserves some happiness and good fortune. 

Black Lives Matter

Most importantly, the trailer promises the show plans to address the Black Lives Matter movement, an important topical reference in the wake of real-life protests against police brutality and racial injustice.

Broaching matters of racial and social injustice is something All American has done routinely from the pilot.

There is no doubt whatever storyline they choose to weave into Season 3, it will be filled with the educational and poignant commentary needed in order to keep the message clear: No Justice, No Peace.

You can watch the trailer below: 

What are your thoughts and theories on All American Season 3? Tell us in the comments!

All American returns on Monday, January 18th at 8/7c on The CW. 

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