This week’s episode of All American gave me a little bit of whiplash. The season began off with a Christmas episode in October, now right here we’re 5 episodes later and it’s Valentine’s Day in November. As common, the CW is late saying their fall and winter finale dates, however for the reason that collection was granted 20 episodes this season, the timing of the seasons within the collection is kind of frankly, very unusual. But however, this was a Valentine’s Day episode and go away it to J.J. to assist his pals benefit from the day, in additional methods than one.
It’s clear from the start that this Valentine’s Day might be an ungainly one, with Spencer and Olivia nonetheless trying to maneuver on from each other, and Jordan and Layla’s not-so-secret romance. Cue J.J. to make issues much more awkward, by twisting the arms of Spencer and Jordan to be part of his fraternity’s pace relationship occasion. J.J. Is about as refined as a brick via a window, and in a roundabout means he makes it recognized to Jordan that he’s conscious of what’s occurring between him and Layla. Jordan tells Layla that J.J. is aware of, but it surely doesn’t actually part her. Neither does Jordan’s participation within the pace relationship occasion, since she has determined that they need to have a low key valentines this 12 months. This doesn’t work for Jordan, nevertheless, as he has fallen quick and onerous for Layla. He begrudgingly participates within the pace relationship occasion, however each query and reply has him referring to Layla, to the purpose the place he lastly admits to J.J. that he’s proper about them. J.J. guarantees to maintain it a secret, however let’s be actual, that is J.J. we’re speaking about. Interestingly sufficient, Layla feels dangerous about disregarding Valentine’s Day and turns to J.J. to assist her plan one thing particular for Jordan. She lures Jordan to her studio, the place she places him on the spot by asking him the questions from pace relationship that J.J. gave her. The two confess their love for one another and resolve to make their relationship official with out secrets and techniques, as a result of as talked about, now that J.J. is aware of, they could as nicely inform everybody themselves.
Aside from pace relationship, J.J. additionally discovers that Asher has signed Jabari. It shouldn’t have taken Spencer and Jordan to make him notice that he’s been slacking and never taking soccer critically, but it surely did. He tries to make issues proper by going to the fitness center on Valentine’s day, however when he was invited to attend a flip flop celebration, he finally selected enjoyable with pals over understanding. Asher sees this as the ultimate nail in J.J.’s coffin, and this may possible price J.J. his alternative at Coastal California. It is unclear what is going to turn out to be of J.J. now, however he’s headed down a foul path and hopefully he can get his priorities so as earlier than it’s too late for his profession.
Spencer can be struggling on Valentine’s Day. He sees no matter is occurring between him and Alicia as a budding friendship, so he has deliberate nothing to mark the particular occasion. Coop presents him recommendation, telling Spencer that he ought to watch “Pretty Woman” and take notes on how you can plan an ideal night time for his woman. Spencer goes all out with a romantic dinner on the seaside home, with roses and attractive music to prime it off. Alicia finally ends up being uncomfortable with the entire vibe of the night time, and will get Spencer to speak to her about what’s going via his thoughts. He got here clear concerning the “Pretty Woman” lesson, and about sleeping with Olivia. Thankfully, Alicia was tremendous cool with it as a result of she additionally didn’t see their relationship as unique. They resolve to get rid of the romantic vibe of the night time, and have a quiet night time watching “Pretty Woman,” which finally leads the 2 to sleeping collectively for the primary time. One factor Alicia observed instantly about Spencer, is that he’s a relationship-minded man. She desires him to simply benefit from the attending to know you part of relationship and have enjoyable. Hopefully Spencer can take just a few steps again and benefit from the second with Alicia. This could possibly be a extremely great point for him, and there’s no must rush.
Spencer’s failed night benefitted Billy in an enormous means. He forgot all about Valentine’s Day, and because of Spencer, he was capable of give the crimson roses that Alicia didn’t need, to Laura. That was not Billy’s major focus this episode, nevertheless. Olivia has drafted her article and asks Billy to learn it. He could be very pleased with his little woman and thinks she has performed an amazing job. While Billy thinks her article will expose Coach Garrett and put strain on him, Olivia desires it to hit more durable than that. She desires Garrett fired. Olivia realizes that her article is lacking one thing. She has interviews with two former walk-on gamers, however the public may simply interpret them as disgruntled gamers who need to get again at Garrett. She wants somebody with extra credibility. Luckily Billy has a former teammate, Eric, who was Garrett’s former assistant coach. Olivia is raring to do the interview, however Billy tells her that he must method this with care in order that Eric will really feel snug sufficient to talk. Billy meets with Eric and manages to speak him into assembly with Olivia. But earlier than that may occur, Coach Garrett performs his hand by resigning, which got here as a shock to completely everybody, together with his assistant coach. So that leaves us to marvel, who tipped Garrett off about Olivia’s story, and can her story have sufficient impression to make it in order that Garrett doesn’t get one other teaching job? At first it could appear that Spencer and Jordan gained’t be affected by the backlash from Olivia’s story now that Garrett has resigned, nevertheless the preview for subsequent week suggests in any other case. It might be fascinating to see how this performs out.
Elsewhere within the episode, Coop attended an interview with a GAU regulation professor, to see if she will be able to audit one in every of his programs. There is stiff competitors to get in, together with college students with spectacular volunteer work and internships on their resumes. The professor made it clear that there was powerful competitors, and Coop took that as a rejection and walked out mid-way via the interview. Meanwhile, Preach lastly had his day in courtroom. Coop attended the listening to, however you may inform how a lot it was killing her that she couldn’t assist, since Laura took her off the case. It is shortly realized how a lot of a mistake that was, when Darius misplaced the case as a result of he uncared for to file a few of the briefs. Coop was invested within the case and had a need to get it performed for Preach. Had she dealt with it, maybe this wouldn’t have occurred. Preach is devastated that he has at hand over his daughter for 30 days whereas the paperwork is correctly filed. He can be rightfully indignant with Coop, who promised this wouldn’t occur. A promise that Coop by no means ought to have made. Coop goes into Laura’s workplace and calls for to be put again on the case and she or he doesn’t take no for a solution. This dedication spurs her to stroll again into the professor’s workplace, and beg for one more probability. Coop shares her life story and the way she might not have a formidable resume of volunteer expertise, however she has life expertise and that ought to qualify her greater than anybody else. The professor agrees to permit her to audit the course. It is nice to see Coop struggle so onerous for what she desires. Her dedication and fervour to assist persons are going to make her an amazing lawyer sometime.
Over to you, All American followers. What do you assume will occur with Olivia’s story now that Garrett has resigned? How will it impression Spencer and Jordan? What does the long run maintain for J.J.? Share your ideas under within the remark field and comply with me on Twitter @ms_c_almeida.