All American Review: Bird In The Hand (Season 4 Episode 4)
All American Season 4 Episode 4, “Bird In The Hand,” manages to deliver some satisfying character moments, but struggles to find a story worth investing in.
It’s clear All American’s major theme of Season 4 lies in deciding the future of its characters. While that’s an important thing to focus on in a show centered around high school, it’s not exactly enough to carry an entire season of television.
Only five episodes in, cracks begin to show themselves as the narratives start to stall, with little to drive the story. There’s so much of All American’s senior year to explore, yet only so much time left until the characters need to reveal their post-graduation plans.
All American is dealing with a story structure that has an obvious conclusion. The main characters need to find a way to stick around town — or at the very least, somehow manage to end up in the general space, if the show plans on continuing for another season.
Spencer James can consider as many colleges as he wants, but the audience already knows he won’t stray too far from Los Angeles.
Not unless the entire cast up and leaves with him.
That’s unlikely, so the show is left with creating faux conflict; hoping the final result may be clear, but the journey towards getting there is enough to garner a viewer’s attention.
All American may be better off letting its characters settle into their decisions sooner rather than later. Being present for senior year brings lots of potential to a teen drama — there’s plenty of story to utilize.
“Bird In The Hand” finds its biggest success in the conversation of Black excellence.
When it comes to sports, Black excellence often forces the idea of perfectionism, and athletes are held to higher standards meant to fit the “perfect” Black American model. They’re then gaslit into believing they’re lucky for even being recognized.
Spencer is praised when he’s scoring touchdowns, but the moment he questions Toledo’s motives, he’s pushed into believing he’s ungrateful, then ultimately trapped into signing with them.
It’s a type of oppression a white athlete would never face, and All American is once again, shining a light on the problematic aspects of high school and college athletics.
Narrating a topic like Black excellence through the lens of Olivia’s perspective is a perfect fit considering her character trajectory. It’s satisfying to watch her make decisions about the future, considering her addiction never let her move past the present.
All the characters feel like healthier versions of the people introduced in All American Season 1. The consistent character growth allows them to handle conflict in more mature ways, opposed to making the same mistakes over and over again.
Jordan is coming into his own, Asher and Coop transform pity parties into productivity, and Layla continues to weave silver lining from her past traumas. Billy and Spencer also find a new way forward, in one of the episode’s most heartwarming, and moving moments.
The two could have easily reverted back into the same routine — with Billy playing the role of “Teacher/Coach who magically manages to stay with the kids as they move into their next chapters.” All American deviates from that norm, rewriting their relationship into something different and new, but still just as special.
There’s something to be said about a show that allows its characters to move forward, and change in malleable ways.
While the story may be slightly lagging, All American’s characters are certainly taking off. Four seasons in, it’s fun to watch them thrive and become the best versions of themselves, and the show can survive without delivering constant high stakes drama.
That can’t last forever, but for now, it works well enough — especially if it means more Black joy.
There certainly isn’t enough of that on television these days.
Random Thoughts:
- Spelivia movie night. Enough said.
- Jordan is the best choice for a “fun, poppy” interview, and Olivia should choose him.
- Asher and Coop are a delightful unlikely duo.
- I am once again begging this show to let Jordan Baker be a coach.
- I love how every romantic relationship is in such a healthy place this season. Let love breathe.
- WHERE ARE YOU, JJ?
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.