All American Review: The Bigger Picture (Season 3 Episode 11)
Not every episode of television is meant for you. All American Season 10 Episode 11 “The Bigger Picture,” is one of those episodes.
It is an hour of powerful introspection on the treatment of Black people in America. It is the mourning of those ignored, abused, mistrusted, and killed due to the color of their skin — something a white woman could never understand.
And while my egregious amounts of privilege may never allow me to fully grasp the reality of being Black in America, what episodes like “The Bigger Picture” can do, is educate me on how to be a better ally.
What I can do in return, is use my platform (as a small potatoes television critic) to amplify voices like the ones of All American as best — and as often — as possible.
Plenty of shows have included storylines revolving around the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of George Floyd’s death. It’s All American’s authentic and consistent portrayal of Black youth, however, that makes their stories hit more effectively.
Police brutality is not a new topic for the show. It was first broached on All American Season 1 when Spencer and Jordan were pulled over by a cop. Approaching the topic again in Season 3 through the lens of a Black woman gives a fresh perspective while serving a dual purpose narrative.
OLIVIA: Policing evolved from slave patrols it was NEVER neutral.
“The Bigger Picture’s” first main goal is to remind its audience Black people are more than a hashtag. Humanizing those lost, and treating them as more than social media martyrs is an essential step towards changing the system.
That message lands flawlessly in form of a beautiful flower vigil the black women of All American (and Spencer!) attend.
The vigil is an opportunity for voices to be heard instead of overshadowed, and no one is clearer than Coop. Bre-Z gives one of her most moving performances as she delivers a gut-wrenching spoken-word piece, and the moment feels less fictional than it does channeled from a place of personal anguish.
The episode then zeros in on how frequently cases of police brutality get ignored when they involve black women. The lack of attendance at Tamika’s flower vigil drives the point home effectively, with a jarringly insignificant group of mourners compared to the overflow of activists marching for George Floyd.
Tamika’s story hits particularly close to home for Olivia, when she’s forced to acknowledge her own privilege against the juxtaposition of her very similar situation. It draws a brilliant parallel between the two women, while adding a sense of personal stakes and complexity to the storyline.
That recognition forms a sense of unwavering atonement in Olivia, and she uses that as a catalyst to make change, no matter the cost.
Her resentment towards Laura, and guilt for her own advantages, culminate in an outstanding final scene. It’s Olivia and her microphone, taking an impassioned stance against the system — even when that system includes her own mother.
Those actions will undoubtedly have severe consequences, but it teaches an important lesson. There are no excuses against doing the right thing, even when it’s the hardest thing.
Making bold moves, or approaching difficult conversations, is an essential act when you’ve been allowed enough privilege to safely be heard.
Elsewhere, the effects of racism within professional sports become a main topic of conversation when Spencer ends up feeling pressured to change his image. It’s an interesting conflict for Spencer, who must figure out how to push against the system, stay true to himself, and manage to make his dreams come true.
All American has taken on the toxicity of high school sports from a multitude of angles, but as its characters age, so do the stakes of their problems.
Delving into the pressures faced by professional athletes of color is a subsect of institutional racism that goes underrepresented, but deserves to be addressed.
As usual, no one is doing it quite like All American.
The show knows how to take outside issues and turn them authentically personal; every topic feels organic and true to the trajectories of its characters. “The Bigger Picture” is able to cut through the noise and deliver a message that feels particularly raw, and unwaveringly urgent: Protect Black women at all costs, and defund the police.
Random Thoughts:
- I don’t want Jordan in pain, but I do love seeing Michael Evans Behling tear up heavier material for once.
- JJ is becoming a character with so much more substance, and I live for that.
- It’s entertaining to see a likable side of Principal Carter, but I do not need Grace in a relationship with that man.
- Layla’s ability to be there for Olivia despite their differences is a beautiful display of female friendship.
- Watching Jordan and Spencer — two young Black men — sit on a couch and talk about their feelings is * chef’s kiss.*
- Coop sending Spencer a tape to remind him who he is — is there hope for them yet?
- Mo pretending to be a good person by way of social justice but having ulterior motives feels unnerving.
- Billy teaching his kids about Financial Literacy is something every school should have in their CORE curriculum.
- The “Hey” between Spencer and Olivia is EVERYTHING and we are ALL Nurse Joy hyping up their chemistry.
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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Kat Pettibone
Kat Pettibone is an aspiring TV writer, artist, and poet. As a Pacey Witter Fan Club lifer who never missed a TGIF, she has dreams of becoming your generations small screen Nora Ephron. She's also an avid lover of coffee, dogs and all things spooky.