All American Review: Prom Night (Season 4 Episode 7)

Alexa, play “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge.

It’s time to party on All American Season 4 Episode 7, “Prom Night,” and while there’s plenty of celebration to be had, not everyone gets to dance away their problems. 

Everything surrounding Crenshaw’s Prom is absolutely phenomenal teen television — tapping into core rights of passage, mixed up with plenty of teenage emotions. 

Most impressive is the progressive approach to long-standing traditions — there is no toxic masculinity anywhere to be found in “Prom Night.” Olivia’s grand public Prom-posal doesn’t make Spencer flinch. Almost every Prom ask is done by a woman, and the boys take lead in planning the actual event. 

We love seeing stereotypical gender norms being destroyed. 

The issue with “Prom Night,” comes from the episode’s conflict. Conflict drives story — and it’s certainly necessary for a mid-season finale, not to mention common at a high school dance — but All American’s cliffhangers tend to feel forced.

What would have been an hour of joyous delight, ends up feeling bogged down by last-minute drama. 

All American is capturing the magic of high school final days better than any show before it. It’s doing such good work letting its characters revel in payoffs from the journeys of the last four years, and this episode misses the mark by not fully immersing itself in that sentiment.

The show also does a fantastic job at making sure each character has grown into the best versions of themselves.

There’s a strictly cohesive journey from point A to point B — an easily traceable trajectory of experiences that have shaped each character into the person they’ve become. That kind of continuity is rare for any show, let alone a teen drama.

Everyone on All American Is still flawed — as three-dimensional characters should be — but they’re also more than ready to take on the next phase of life, which is remarkably satisfying. 

Spencer and Olivia, in particular, are an example of character-driven success. Their three-season build-up delivers a payoff that actually means something.

Spencer and Olivia prove why they are right for each other with each and every episode. Their interactions are constantly explaining why the characters took the risks they did in order to be together. The reward isn’t simply seeing them exist as a couple, but watching them form a mature, romantic partnership. 

Spencer: I had no idea I would love you this much.

Olivia: I did. You were always ti for me Spencer.

Spencer: Thank you, for being patient with me.

Olivia: It was worth the wait. 

The two are partners In every problem, and every win. Their moments of fun and infatuation are equal to the moments of best friendship — an important component the show is keeping alive. 

It’s characteristics that are also beginning to show themselves in Jordan and Layla — a dynamic All American has kept in its back pocket for four seasons. 

Jordan and Layla have been on separate roads in the past, but have always checked in with one another — an aspect to their relationship that is paying off big now that the show is dabbling in steering them towards romance. 

It’s a flawless setup; Layla will need someone she can trust in her next relationship, and no one is better in that role than a childhood friend. Jordan can read Layla — and she, him — unlike anyone else, and that’s been true from the show’s beginning.

He’s the only person who could see her strength when she was at her lowest point. She’s the only one who can see what he needs, even when he isn’t asking for it. 

The chemistry between Behlings and Onieogou is undeniably electric, and the two slip from platonic to uncertain attraction easily. With a (temporary) new love interest for Layla — and a departing serious girlfriend for Jordan — All American promises to deliver a delicious amount of angst, and messy feelings for Jordayla in Season 4B. 

All the amazing character moments in “Prom Night” are why it’s so disappointing the show struggles to find outside plot that fits the episode’s caliber. 

Coop and Spencer’s conflicts feel empty in stakes. The show has “tried” to kill Coop about 5 times, only for her to pull through in the end. Spencer’s hero complex has almost destroyed him for years, but he finds a way out of it every time. 

All American has a habit of introducing plot points for dramatic effect, but never actually delivering actual consequences. There is too much of the same outcome for any of it to feel worthy of storytelling space. 

Unless Spencer actually takes the fall for his team and gets expelled, it’s all just a moot point used for a mid-season cliffhanger. 

The loss of Willie Baker is the final moment of “Prom Night” that actually resonates in a deeply effective way. If the character does die, there will be an inevitable chain reaction that ripples through multiple emotional character arcs in Season 4B.

That is television worth watching. 

Random Thoughts: 

• We should have thrown out Vanessa/Asher and gone with Jamie from the start. I love her!.
• JJ is hilarious as always, but I still need a more resonant arc for him.
• The group dancing sequence at Prom is one of my favorite of the series.
• There is zero toxic masculinity around Prom — from female Prom-posals, to Chris leading Prom committee.
• The lens in which the camera pans Olivia’s Prom outfit proves the female gaze can be used to appreciate beauty without overtly sexualizing them. 

 

 

 

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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