All American recap: 3 characters overcome big challenges

This week’s episode of All American is titled “Back in the Day” for a reason. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn what made Olivia finally decide to get sober and what pushed Spencer out of Crenshaw and into Beverly.

On this week’s All American, Spencer and Layla experience a few rough patches when Spencer realizes, maybe he does have an issue with Asher living at Layla’s house. Except, it’s not really about Asher, and it’s not really about Layla either.

It’s about Spencer’s father and the emotional scar he left when he walked out on his family. Because of Cory’s abandonment, he anticipates it from every girl he dates, from everyone who loves him actually, as even Coop points this out. If someone loves him, they will inevitably leave him. Cory did a real number on his son.

In Spencer’s flashbacks, he has a rough time at Crenshaw High. We see his relationship with Kia didn’t work out because he sabotaged the relationship with his own doubts. Everyone warns Spencer to not let history repeat itself. Most surprisingly of all, Asher bestows some words of wisdom to Spence. “Don’t lose the best thing that ever happened to you like I did.”

They share a moment that marks a real change in their relationship. Spencer stops seeing Asher as a threat, or an obstacle and even offers to help him make right with their teammates.

As for Layla and Spencer? Once Spencer is able to talk to her about his feelings and doubts, their relationship gets back on track. They even tell each other “I love you” for the first time.

Olivia and her sobriety

It is officially the anniversary of Olivia’s first day sober. She has reached the year one marker but no one seems to notice.

In typical dramatic fashion, it would be this day that Olivia finds an old bottle of pills. She doesn’t end up relapsing but she confesses to Layla how hard it is for her to resist. You don’t just stop being an addict, it is an active choice every single day to stay sober.

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Through Olivia’s flashbacks, we see how she acted in her element during those hazy drug days. It was during a wild house party, the same party she and Asher slept together, that Olivia almost overdosed. Her near-death experience was a wake-up call for her family, but Olivia points out that after rehab, everyone considered her cured and moved on. Clearly, she’s been struggling with this ever since. Addiction is a disease that never completely goes away.

It’s a little sad and ironic that during her speech to her parents and Jordan, Olivia accidentally divulges Jordan’s night out and the conversation immediately turns back to her brother. Apparently, Laura was unaware and that’s all she wants to focus on.

But ultimately, her family is there for her when she goes to her meeting to officially get her speech. I was worried Billy and Laura wouldn’t show up, and it was an incredibly sweet moment for the Baker family when they did. I love that Jordan was there first, holding her hand and encouraging her every step of the way. I want to see more of their relationship in the future.

Coop and her family

Coop is going to get evicted from her apartment if she doesn’t get emancipated. There are laws about a minor having their name on a lease. But Tyrone doesn’t like the idea of her emancipation because if she were to ever get caught she would be tried as an adult and Coop is of no use to him behind bars.

Tyrone, being the awful guy he is, goes behind Coop’s back to threaten her father’s livelihood if he doesn’t convince Coop’s mom into letting her move back into the house. But Coop’s mother is still the same old homophobic piece of work. She has no intention of making up with her daughter and can’t even make it through one lunch without showing her disdain. Poor Coop has to experience the heartbreak of being kicked out all over again.

However, her father isn’t as complicit as it appears to be. He apologizes to Coop for getting involved with Tyrone and his threats and even quits his job because he’d rather lose his profession than his daughter. He also signs Coop’s emancipation papers for her so she doesn’t lose her home. I can’t imagine that’s going to go over well with Tyrone but for now, it was a nice gesture and it’s good to know Coop still has one parent she can depend on.

Odds & Ends

• I thought it was sweet that Layla bought Olivia a Wonder Woman pin (since she loved the remake), to celebrate her sobriety.
• In one of the flashbacks, it is revealed that Grace called Billy and begged him for his help in figuring out what to do about Spencer acting out. Ugh, I wish they would reveal the whole truth about this! Is Billy related to Spencer somehow? Why does he have such a big stake in his life and in Grace’s if he isn’t his real father? So many questions about revelation.
• I love Spencer for trying to defend Coop to her awful mother this week. Coop deserves so much better from her parents.
• I mentioned Jordan’s drug test in last week’s recap and it does come up again this week. Billy tells Laura what happened and the two of them agree to face whatever comes of it together. Except, Jordan happens to overhear the conversation. Uh-oh. Jordan is already facing self-doubts because of being the coach’s son, I can’t imagine he’s going to take this news lightly.

A new episode of All American will premiere on Feb. 27th on The CW.