All American: 6 takeaways from Season 1, Episode 13

All American returns from its hiatus with a profound episode about the people who shape us into who we’re meant to become.

Who is the greatest influence in your life? A question All American poses on the latest episode. “Legacy” is about exactly what it sounds like, the legacy of family and what lineage does to connect you with those you love, or pull you apart.

During Spencer’s essay assignment to find the greatest influence in his life, he learns how complicated the answer really is. He can’t pick one person, he chooses them all, instilling a valuable message “its what they all taught me that matters”. Ultimately, his father’s absence is his choice, a powerful and intangible thing, but one that has certainly helped mold his path.

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Below are six more takeaways from tonight’s episode.

1. Grandpa Willie knows more than he’s letting on.

This week we learned what a snake in the grass Grandpa Willie (Billy’s father) really is. While he’s been spending time mentoring Jordan in football and is a big reason why he was confident enough to help Beverly win the football game this week, he also is secretly still in touch with Corey James.

We don’t learn much because Willie is staying tight-lipped about the entire thing but it can’t be a coincidence that not long after Willie talks about Corey and “giving him a call,” he wanders into the stadium and throws Spencer off his game.

2. There is still more to find out about Spencer’s dad.

One of the biggest shocks of the episode, if not the entire season, is seeing Corey show up at Spencer’s football game. As if that wasn’t enough, by the time Spencer and Grace get back home, Corey is waiting for them in their living room like the ghost of absentee fathers’ past.

Earlier in the episode, prior to Corey actually showing up in the flesh, Spencer had found an old game tape of Billy’s demonstrating his father’s surprisingly strong football skills. He was possibly even better than Spencer in his prime. This makes Spencer hungrier than ever for the truth, but Grace is unwilling to delve into the intimate details of her personal relationship.

I loved that she told Spencer she “doesn’t owe him that”. Because at the end of the day, she doesn’t. Although this is primetime drama so I know we will find out at some point.

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3. Layla finally lets Spencer into a personal part of her life.

Layla’s father may be an established musician, but it’s her mother who was truly the brains behind the operation. After she and Spencer have a small argument about Layla deciding against sharing the personal details of her essay assignment. But eventually, she comes around and instead shows Spencer the special record room containing documentation of the songs her mother wrote.

We know Layla is still grieving the loss of her mother, the fact she was willing to share something so precious to her is evidence of just how invested she is in her relationship with Spencer. Layla is a character who is wise beyond her years and she’s good for him because of her boundless maturity. Plus we learn she has begun writing music of her own.