All American Review: Roll The Dice (Season 3 Episode 7)

What happens in Vegas can only stay in Vegas for so long.

The summer trip that changed everything is revisited on All American Season 3 Episode 7, “Roll The Dice,” where secrets are revealed, and relationships are forever altered. 

All American takes seven episodes to reveal its biggest plot twists of the season, but revelations like the ones in “Roll The Dice” are precious story arcs that deserve a delicate type of care. Allowing them to unfold at an even-keeled pace keeps motivations unexplained, and allows a deeper investment in character’s stories. 

It’s the juiciest type of reveal — one that inspires viewers to re-watch previous episodes in search of clues they may have missed. A bomb isn’t dropping from left field; it’s breaking open a carefully constructed narrative that’s been building for almost half a season.

“Roll The Dice” is serving at every level — love, loss, pregnancy, partying, betrayal– it’s what the best teen soaps are made of, and there is a slew of content to dissect.  From adultery and teenage marriage, to why JJ is shirtless on a street poster labeled “Boys Of Vegas,” plenty of questions go unanswered. 

No one really cares about any of that though, because “Roll The Dice” will infamously be remembered as the episode Spencer and Olivia admit they’re in love with one another, and maybe have been for quite some time.

What All American has developed between Spencer and Olivia is some of the best teen romance in this generation of network television, and there isn’t a single beat of their journey that isn’t perfectly executed.

For three seasons, two characters have grown to love each other through mutual support and respect; it’s a story of two people who are best friends, with an undeniable magnetic pull that can not be ignored.

Fully deserving of credit are both Samantha Logan and Daniel Ezra, who play Olivia and Spencer, respectively.

Spencer: If today taught me anything it clarified for me that if you got a chance at real happiness? You gotta take it, no matter what. 

When two people can somehow manifest intense chemistry by talking on the phone in totally separate locations, there’s clearly something special there. Both actors treat their characters’ relationship with the devotion it deserves, and that delicacy shines through on-screen. 

In many ways, Spencer and Olivia are reminiscent of beloved relationships from teenage TV past. They deliver all the best romantic tropes — fully stocked with flashback montages, longing looks, and epic love confessions that begin with “it’s always been you.”

The connection is so strong, it almost completely overshadows what should be the most jaw-dropping moment of the episode: Jordan and Simone’s marriage.

All American takes a page out of One Tree HIll’s book with a shocking high school marriage plotline. It’s a wild reveal of the most epic proportions, but quickly becomes sidestepped for Spencer and Olivia’s more intriguing love story. 

Maybe that’s the point — All American couldn’t possibly believe viewers would care more about Jordan and Simone’s wedding vows than “Spelivia” coming to terms with their feelings; it’s a moment that’s been building for almost three seasons.

Spencer: I love you. I ain’t even sure when it happened. Maybe it was the night I got shot, or watching movies with you all summer, or maybe it’s been since my first day at Beverly and I just didn’t realize it but I know now — I’m in love with you. 

If the “Jimone” wedding is meant as a vessel to highlight the depth of Spencer and Olivia’s connection, however, it does so with flying colors.

Jordan and Simone’s marriage in and of itself, certainly makes their argument from “Teenage Love” more clear, but the insanity of getting married before you’re even a senior thoroughly overshadows any sort of romantic sentiment.

It also promises a heaping amount of drama to come, with a side of chaotic hilarity once parents are finally brought into the mix. If this all leads to Billy Baker reacting to his teenage son getting married — it just may be worth it.

While there’s plenty of love in “Roll The Dice,” there’s an equal balance of loss, as well. Spencer and Olivia’s story is clear: they are two people with the same heart who are meant to be together. Through the help of therapists to psychics, that truth is inevitable. 

The two actually being together, is an entirely different story; as All American gives, it thus shall also taketh away, and Olivia walks away from Spencer after a mind-blowing kiss. 

It’s an understandable (yet heartbreaking) reaction; Olivia was dating Asher at the time. Typically, this would be an easy fix, being that Asher and Olivia have since called it quits.

But things are never simple in Beverly Hills, and All American adds in another layer of conflict by pushing Spencer immediately (and I mean immediately) into Layla’s arms. 

It’s the moment “Roll The Dice” reminds you why it’s providing this messy flashback to begin with, and a whip-smart storytelling tactic. Spencer is confessing the story of Vegas to Layla in real-time, and she’s finding out his real motivations for their reconciliation. 

For a protagonist who is usually steadfast in doing the right thing, it’s a shocking reveal; Spencer falls back to Layla only because he’s been rejected by someone else, and now he’ll be forced to deal with the fallout.

It’s bound to be ugly, but Spencer is long overdue for some conflict created by his own hand, and an emotional arc that doesn’t revolve around football. 

Season 3 of All American has been clear Vegas would be surprising, but “Roll The Dice” delivers some truly jaw-dropping drama; taking viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions that seem to paint a clear warning sign that says: “please buckle up in preparation, this is bound to be a very bumpy flight.”

Random Thoughts:

• There is so much Coop/Patience fluff in this episode, it’s perfect. They are PERFECT!
• “Roll The Dice” may end up being Layla’s villain origin story, and no one would blame her. 
• Coop’s ill-advised advice showcases how Spencer and Coop have been growing distance for a while now.
• All American really tries to pull an “Aunt Viv” with a recast of JP in this episode — it’s not slick!
• Watching Spencer and Coop get along, knowing they’re estranged in the current timeline is full-on pain.
• Every time Jordan and Layla share a scene, I remember my fruitless desire for them to fall in love.
• Seriously though, why is there a poster of a half-naked JJ on a random street in Las Vegas?!
   

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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