All American Review: Canceled (Season 3 Episode 8)

All American Season 3 Episode 8, “Canceled,” is the perfect International Women’s Day delight; a tribute that allows every female character a chance to shine, and every actor an opportunity to show off their talent.

This time, the women are stepping into the spotlight, and the men are learning lessons from the shadows. 

The theme of “Canceled” is strength; fighting for what’s right, standing up for what you believe in, and trusting your heart won’t let you down along the way.

It’s also one of female complexity — highlighting how women can be strong in their convictions, while sensitive to their own pain. There isn’t a single woman on All American who isn’t given that profound depth and the show is clearly dedicated to creating an authentic female experience. 

Those themes are no more exceptionally exemplified than through the relationship between Layla and Olivia.

The baggage existing between the two is portrayed as a genuinely complex female friendship; one where both young women have hurt each other during hard times in their lives. Spencer may be the catalyst for their latest showdown, but the dynamic is much more than “the two girls fighting over a boy.”

It’s two women working through the pain they’ve caused each other over a handful of rocky years, finally having reason to bring their issues to the table. What results between them is a fight that feels real, feels high school, and is certainly more interesting than a stereotypical one-note love triangle.

It’s a situation that works because it doesn’t pit clear winner against loser; both girls have done their fair share of damage to the other, but it doesn’t mean both aren’t also extremely good people. The refusal to villainize either girl not only breaks teen soap norms — it keeps the audience on both sides of the proverbial friendship aisle.

It also culminates in one of this season’s strongest scenes.

Both Greta Onieogou and Samantha Logan (Layla and Olivia, respectively) are serving up their best talent — both strong in their convictions, yet clearly guilt-ridden by their own wrongdoings. As they tear into one another, a sense of self-ownership plays subtly on both their faces, providing a masterclass in reactionary acting.

Onieogou is given multiple chances to shine through Layla’s reckoning in “Canceled,” as All American makes yet another profound statement on mental health.

In a much-deserved tongue lashing, Layla illuminates Spencer into the reality of mental illness; it doesn’t make her fragile, it makes her strong, giving her the tools to grow and evolve into greatness she wouldn’t otherwise know without it. 

Onieogou delivers the message with punch and poignancy that resonates, serving as a reminder of why Layla and Spencer never were a perfect match, and a clear coded message on how mental illness doesn’t make you weak — it makes you a warrior. 

Bre-Z is also at her best as Coop,  delivering a powerful speech around following your heart, and leaving what holds you down in the past. It is yet another performance of vivacious confidence, and understated vulnerability, both painful and inspiring to witness.

This is why seeing her moment stem from such an antiquated notion is such a letdown. On an episode highlighting women, giving a female lead a storyline revolving around a heteronormative and outdated tradition like Homecoming King and Queen feels misplaced, especially for such a progressive series.

It’s certainly a saturated teen drama trope and a platform for good story, but All American is more clever than this. 

It’s difficult to watch Spencer and Coop — arguably the show’s best relationship — estranged, but it’s exactly what Spencer needs in order to move forward as a character. 

All American Season 3 has Spencer making no shortage of mistakes, and those errors in judgment are what allow him to evolve into someone better; someone who recognizes they don’t always have the answers or have to do it all alone. As Layla so sharply states, Spencer’s attempt to save everyone ends with him making the biggest mess of all. 

It’s the hardest lesson for Spencer James, but undoubtedly the most imperative, and it makes his predicament with Olivia so distinctive: will he save her, or let her learn her own lessons?

The question sets up for a complicated back half of a season, pivoting Spencer into a lose-lose scenario, and presents another potential roadblock in the Spencer and Olivia love story. 

Those high stakes are what ultimately make Olivia’s car confession acceptable. Two people should be serving total eye contact when giving their romantic declarations, and sitting side by side separated by a middle console sucks the romance straight out of the air.

All American isn’t one to disappoint, though, and it feels as if this “love confession” is somewhat of a red herring — a taste of what’s to come, but not the true climactic scene viewers crave — they didn’t even get to kiss, after all. 

The show seems to at least be promising Spencer and Olivia together, happy, and in love, eventually, even if it’s not right now. Until then, there will be plenty of drama and obstacles to overcome, which should keep us all occupied until that moment is truly right. 

I’m willing to wait as long as it takes.

Random Thoughts: 

• Asher and Vanessa are staler than old bread. She has better chemistry with JJ, and at least it’s entertaining.
• Jordan letting Layla know he never doubted her strength, despite her mental illness? I will go down with this ship!
• Laura, as a parent, understanding the importance of her kid’s mental health is imperative. 
• Jordan caring about his sister Olivia’s happiness and getting some much-needed “twin time” is glorious. 
• Kia has great energy, and deserves a bigger storyline, instead of just showing up when the plot calls for her. 
• Grace is a force of nature, and every episode is better when she’s around. 
• If Spencer covers for Liv, what will that do to his relationship with Billy? 
• I was hoping Principal Carter was earnestly trying to help South Crenshaw High; clearly, I was wrong, and he is unstable. 

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

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

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