All American Review: 6 ‘N The Mornin’ (Season 4 Episode 10)
Summer is over in All American Season 4 Episode 10, “6 ’N The Mornin’,” as reality sets in, and new chapters begin.
College changes everyone. There is a unique shakeup that occurs after graduating high school unlike anything else someone will ever experience. Whether good or bad, the shift from adolescence to rapid-fire adulthood is inevitably overwhelming, and there isn’t a single character in All American who isn’t feeling those effects.
Walking characters into the college years after a show has been primarily based in high school can be a difficult transition. Many teen-centered shows have tried and failed, while others opt to time skip over those years entirely. It’s an awkward stage of life in reality or in fiction, and it presents difficult challenges when crafting a story.
Characters who were once forced to interact duet close quarters are often now spread out and headed in different directions. The cohesive dynamics that once kept a series interesting are now missing, and that can easily cause a show to feel increasingly aimless
All American doesn’t have that problem, because it’s already spent three seasons balancing itself in two worlds — Beverly and Crenshaw. The characters have always been split by location, and All American is well versed in ensuring each individual character space for their own story.
If “6 ’N The Mornin’” is any indication, All American has no plans to lose steam anytime soon — all college really does is give the show new territory to play around.
And play it does. There is no shortage of varied post-graduation experiences, and All American takes advantage of that. Each character takes to life after high school in wildly different — and oftentimes surprising — ways.
Olivia and Layla seem to glide into their new endeavors seamlessly. Two women whose challenging mental health experiences previously caused them immense conflict, now blossom beautifully.
It’s the perfect payoff after they’ve worked so hard to reach a healthy place.
Olivia is taking to her new job with ambition and ease, working in what appears to be a healthy environment with people who support and nurture her ideas. Layla continues to become a titan of industry, while figuring out what she wants from life, and how to get there.
It’s refreshing to see women tackling their newfound adult lives with relative calm. Female protagonists so often find themselves overwhelmed and underprepared for these things, as if wacky, harebrained shenanigans will inevitably stem from heightened, over-emotional responses that only women are weak enough to have.
In All American, women own their power and handle it with grace. Nothing less.
The same can’t be said for Spenser James, who is ferociously fighting to make a name for himself at college, and barely holding on for dear life.
It’s fascinating to watch Spencer exist as a small fish in a big pond. Even when a shoulder injury, he knew with unwavering certainty he was the best on the field.
Now Spencer has to reconcile that’s no longer true, and he doesn’t know how not to be number one.
Jordan Baker does, which is why he takes so easily to his new circumstances. Jordan has always had to fight to prove his worth — against players with more raw talent, or from living up to the expectations of being Billy Bakers’ son. That hustle is nothing new.
For Spencer, it’s the hardest type of wake-up call — one that comes at about 4 am.
It’s such a great next step for the character, who will now have to psychologically figure out how to reconcile with his new reality. He has to figure out how to be okay with not always being the best. It will undoubtedly help him grow (and prepare for the pros), but not before proving to be an exceptionally difficult road along the way.
Spencer’s struggle also presents an interesting step forward for Spencer and Olivia. The honeymoon period is over, and now the two will have to put their years of friendship to the test. Communicating will be neccessary to stay together while on such separate journeys
“6 ’N The Mornin’” proves they can do it, with both willing to make sacrifices to keep the relationship strong. Spelivia ends the episode as strong as they started, facing their struggles as a united front, but All American isn’t going to make it easy.
Random Thoughts:
- Happy to see the show keeping the adults relevant despite the kids graduating and moving on.
- Asher always has an outlier storyline that involves a girl, but at least this one is compelling.
- Coop and Patience fight all the time. It’s all they do, and it’s infuriating.
- JJ is definitely going to lose his scholarship, right?
- Not Spencer thinking he only needs 20 minutes to get from Liv’s to a meeting. In LA?! Parking alone takes 20 minutes.
- I’m proud of Layla for setting boundaries and being clear about what she wants — in love and business.
- STUBS????
- The boys living in a beach house during college feels is very 90210. I love it.
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.