All American: Homecoming Review: Just A Friend (Season 1 Episode 8)
Despite some strong performances, the plot is starting to meander a bit on All American: Homecoming Season 1 Episode 8, “Just A Friend.”
The characters are fun and the relationships keep us coming back each week, but the season is starting to lose focus. Outside of discovering Damon’s parentage, where exactly are we going? There isn’t enough focus on the financial issues with the university for that to be the main thread.
There is a lack of consistency in the tennis and baseball storylines, which normally help center the various plot points. It’s also pretty unrealistic that competitive athletes have the time to fly home to Chicago for a day, during the sports season, on top of their academic obligations.
Damon Sims is easily a fan-favorite character. He’s compassionate, kind, and effortlessly charming. However, this is Simone’s show, and it hasn’t felt like that in a couple of episodes.
The mystery of who Damon’s birth parents are is starting to run its course. The longer it drags out, the less we care about the answer.
Focusing so heavily on Damon’s parentage takes away from the potential of storylines that focus on discovering who he is as a person, regardless of blood, and his future in baseball. Especially considering some of his breakthroughs on last week’s “Godspeed.” As he told JR, he knows who his family is — blood or not.
Nevertheless, Peyton Alex Smith delivers a stellar performance that must be appreciated. In a heartbreaking scene, Damon faces his father, but his father doesn’t recognize him.
“Just A Friend” highlights the painful reality of dealing with family members with Alzheimer’s. It’s difficult for a young adult to adapt to a changing relationship with someone as integral to their life as a parent. Damon’s scenes with his family are both moving and heart-rending.
However, the show needs to return its focus to Simone, in particular, the heat between Simone and Damon.
Simone can run from it all she wants, but she is having an emotional affair like Keisha tells her. From flying to Chicago to emotionally support him to showing clear signs of jealousy about the bachelor auction, Simone’s feelings for Damon are obvious to us.
Plus, Geffri Maya and Peyton Alex Smith play it so well. We feel their attraction when they dance, especially when they almost kiss. We can’t help but root for these two with chemistry like that!
Jordan’s return will inevitably cause drama, and it will be exhausting if she tries to explain away her “friendship” again. Simone, it’s time to let go of your high school relationship!
Anyone watching All American knows that Jordan will be fine. He has a “friend” too.
Even as the season starts to lose focus, All American: Homecoming finds ways to shed light on important conversations.
The show’s commitment to representing the Black non-binary community is impactful. Nate simply wants to be herself, and she champions her identity no matter who tries to tear her down.
As Nate faces the unfair reality of her top sorority pick only wanting her to fill a quota, she questions her need to find validation in people that refuse to accept her. She doesn’t need that in her life. Nate’s ability to rise above the ignorance she faces every day once again proves her confidence in who she is.
Plus, she makes a great new friend, and sister, in Thea. Thea is slowly letting down her walls, allowing herself to crave the intimacy and friendship that everyone needs. Her unequivocal support for Nate is really sweet!
Overall, “Just A Friend” reminds us that Simone and Damon are definitely more than friends, but it doesn’t help streamline the season’s arc. There is not a clear picture for where we are headed, which creates a slightly uneven feel for the season.
The return of baseball next week will hopefully kickstart a more cohesive story for the final batch of episodes.
Stray Thoughts
- I’m struggling to connect with JR right now. Does anyone else feel this?
- Mitchell Edwards has a beautiful singing voice.
- Keisha is definitely regretting pushing Cam into someone else’s arms.
- Is there romantic potential between Amara and President Allen?
- There is an energy between Thea and Damon that borders on romance.
What did you think of this episode of All American: Homecoming? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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All American: Homecoming airs Mondays at 9/8c on The CW.
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Julia Paino
Julia is a TV and pop culture enthusiast who gets too emotionally invested in her favorite characters. She loves making people laugh and is always down for a Taylor Swift sing-along. She is firmly on Team Stefan and has been since 2009. Follow her on Twitter @juliampaino!