All American Review: After Hours (Season 3 Episode 15)
All American Season 2 Episode 15, “After Hours,” trades melodrama for humor as it pairs up unlikely duos for a night filled with fun, bonding, and a whole lot of liquor.
An episode like “After Hours” is a pristine example of how All American always understands the assignment. The show knows exactly what it is; a teen drama that puts its characters through the wringer with a multitude of heavy subject matter.
The show is better for it. All American dares to tackle topics other shows of its genre won’t, which is what makes it so groundbreaking. It also understands, however, when its characters — and its audience — need a break.
Gifted with a relatively high episode order, All American uses that extra time wisely, understanding how filler can sometimes be a good thing.
With “After Hours,” the show takes a page from classic teen drama One Tree Hill’s book and uses its “filler” to deliver a hilarious romp of an episode that’s sole focus is to delight and entertain.
One Tree Hill did this with episodes where the kids embark on zany adventures like scavenger hunt versions of Truth or Dare, or boy toy auctions that lead to wild and crazy nights on the town.
Much like “After Hours,” those episodes weren’t focused on advancing the season’s main storylines, but on giving the characters a little time to breathe.
At the time, One Tree Hills “filler” episodes were scoffed at for their aimlessness and distraction from the narrative. Hindsight has proven them to be some of the show’s most memorable installments due to how they allow the audience to get to know characters on new levels.
Tackling the imperative job of world-building with that kind of fresh approach only deepens a viewer’s investment, which is why “After Hours,” will inevitably go down as one of All American’s most popular hours.
Episodes like this wouldn’t fully work, however, if the actors weren’t up to the challenge. All American has proven it can do drama with the best of them, but “After Hours” showcases how talented this cast is at nailing comedy.
There isn’t a single person who isn’t having a blast this episode, and that excitement leaps off the screen.
Watching Grace and Laura let loose and form an unlikely bond is a true delight. If anyone deserves a moment to let their proverbial hair down, it’s these ladies, and Mazur and Westbrook only get more drunkenly entertaining as the hour goes on.
Daniel Ezra also takes every advantage to tackle some lighter material.
As a protagonist with the world on his shoulders, it’s satisfying to watch Spencer James have a little fun for once. His moral compass remains as he deepens trust with Frausto, but even the more angst-filled moments are delivered with slight underlying humor.
Leave it up to Ezra to always understand the nuance of a performance.
There is no better duo in “After Hours” than Billy and D’Angelo. They work through a plethora of issues throughout the episode, as they down a bottle of bourbon and use Crenshaw High as their own personal playground.
The song and dance between D’Angelo and Billy — both literally and metaphorically — is a true highlight, and both characters produce the loudest laughs via their drunken hijinks.
Diggs never misses an opportunity to add humor into his performance, but “After Hours” allows him to take that comedic talent to the next level. His portrayal of “drunk” Billy feels exceptionally in sync with who the character is.
If there is a serious story in “After Hours,” it’s told through Layla and Olivia, who are still working through their friendship.
Their latest speed bump is Layla’s creepy friend Carrie, who Olivia can see is nothing but bad news (her name is literally Carrie, come on!). The whole situation is as equally terrifying as it is captivating, but the real standout of the story is how dedicated Layla and Olivia are to repairing their friendship.
High school dynamics — especially between girls — are complicated, messy things. All American has found a way to project that mess while still showcasing two women who genuinely love, support and want the best for one another. The story is complex, but never catty, and that makes it all the more exceptional to watch unfold.
There really isn’t a single downfall to “After Hours.” Sure, it doesn’t do a single thing for the larger narrative, but you’re having way too much fun to care. It’s a breath of fresh air in an otherwise intense season, and it comes at exactly the right time.
Last review I claimed All American didn’t have any time for filler before the finale. This is my official statement admitting I was so very wrong about that.
Random Thoughts:
- Cody Christian gets to play and be funny in this episode, and I actually like Asher for once!
- Behling and Logan have the best sibling chemistry as the Baker twins. Their scenes are always top-tier.
- The theme of this episode is “don’t judge a book by its cover” and the show really portrays that cleverly.
- The reverse parent/child dynamic between Grace and Spencer this episode is just * chef’s kiss.*
- Lots of solid physical comedy.
- LAURA AND BILLY!!!! LAURA AND BILLY!!!
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.