All American Review: Put Up Or Shut Up (Season 3 Episode 10)

You can’t win ‘em all.

All American Season 3 Episode 10, “Put Up Or Shut Up,” gives a few fresh faces ample opportunities to showcase their talents, but overall delivers a lackadaisical episode riddled with missed opportunities.

“Put Up Or Shut Up” starts off strong; the “in medias res” approach to dropping the audience into the action following the Homecoming dance keeps All American from telling a repetitive story filled with teen angst of seasons past. 

Spencer was literally shot at the last dance. What could possibly be more dramatic than that?

Instead, “Put Up Or Shut Up” dives right into the fallout, then focuses itself around Homecoming’s other big weekend activity: football games.

Every time football becomes the central storyline on All American, it’s a sobering reminder of how toxic high school sports can be. The entirety of South Crenshaw is depending on Spencer James — a 17-year-old boy — to carry his team to victory, with zero qualms about putting intense pressure on someone so incredibly young.

It’s not much different over at Beverly.

Coach Montez at least has the sense not to tell Jordan about the recruitment coaches, but Billy quickly makes a trip out of his way to spill the beans. His determination to push kids towards the brink of greatness routinely comes back to haunt him, and in this case, directly impacts Jordan’s choice to play injured.

There is a moral of the story here. It’s not as nuanced as usual, but it’s here, buried somewhere beneath the busyness of the episode.

Sports can be imperative to developing a well-rounded human, but there’s a fine line between being supportive and being so overbearing, it leads kids to believe their entire future rests on physical performance.

It’s a solid lesson that begins to become more muddled as “Put Up Or Shut Up” progresses, and Jordan’s injury gets swept aside for the impact of his marriage to Simone. 

The actual reveal is delivered in perfect time; adding tension to an already incredibly strained scenario, the dramatic irony pays off perfectly. Geffri Maya approaches the moment with the perfect balance of ferocity and empathy. 

The reveal also gives Monet Mazur an opportunity to demonstrate her acting abilities, unleashing a vicious side to Laura Baker we had yet to witness.

Jordan’s marriage shocks the Bakers, but where All American fumbles is in its missed opportunity to shock its audience.

There is a considerable amount of build-up regarding the aftermath of his concussion, but when the final few seconds of the episode arrive, All American once again chooses to give Jordan a storyline that frankly isn’t all that interesting. 

There are many ways head trauma could go for a character. This isn’t Grey’s Anatomy, but Jordan — and Michael Evans Behling, for that matter — deserve a meatier storyline that doesn’t dissipate after a brief unconscious stint in a hospital bed.

There is a myriad of long-term effects Jordan could suffer that would give him that exact opportunity.

Instead, Jordan’s big conflict becomes losing the ability to play football the rest of senior year. That would be relatively upsetting to any senior, but it certainly feels like small potatoes in comparison to the life or death circumstances he could have been facing.

Jordan is a man of economic privilege. He may not get to play college ball, but he certainly isn’t riding on a scholarship the way Spencer James is. Still, the show treats it as if he’s just been told there’s a tumor pressing on his brain. 

All American doesn’t seem to want Behling to take on heavier storylines. He’s a great comedic actor, but the lack of trust in his ability to act dramatically feels peculiar.

When Jordan begins to feel dizzy, the show even deems a blurry screen and wonky sound effect necessary in order to communicate his possible continued head trauma. It’s a wildly broad directional choice, and simply allowing Behling to actually act it out himself subtly, would have landed more effectively. 

Even JJ is given a shot at something deeper on “Put Up or Shut Up.”

Portraying emotions beyond the happy-go-lucky himbo, Hunter Clowdus jumps at the challenge to add depth to the character. It undoubtedly adds layers for JJ, but puts Asher in a position to make bad decisions.

It’s become unclear how All American wants viewers to perceive Asher Adams. There are very few moments of redemption that hold up for his character over time, and once again, Asher hurts someone he considers a friend.

It’s all under the guise of “trying to do better,” but Asher continually finds ways to stunt himself from moving forward.

He may not kiss Vanessa, but the two have history — a history he should have shared with JJ a long time ago. Vanessa should have done the same to save JJ the pain, even if that pain means we get to see a new side of him. 

The biggest problem with Asher and Vanessa’s storyline is the lack of spark between them.  The two are meant to have a deep, intense connection, but it’s only been expository dialogue and stiff, uncomfortable conversations until now.

Perhaps if there was chemistry, this pairing would be worth rooting for. Instead, it’s another chance for Asher to push people away. 

All American manages to give some of its characters incredible, complex storylines that defy the constructs of the teen drama genre. More than halfway through Season 3, it would be gratifying to see all the cast given that same level of narrative dedication. 

The actors have more than proved they can handle the material.

Random Thoughts:

• The directional choices of this episode are strange. From unnecessary effects to low energy takes, it’s underwhelming.
• Olivia understanding the need to take responsibility for her own actions is a beautiful moment of growth.
• Spencer sharing the touchdown record with Cory is incredibly moving, as is his moment with Grace.
• Layla standing her ground against JP’s gaslighting and calling him out on his toxic behavior is POWERFUL.
• We don’t get to see the dance, but we do get to see their ‘fits, and they all look stunning!

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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