All American: Even Olivia’s return can not save season seven

The hit series “All American” might be facing challenges in its narrative without the involvement of characters like Olivia and Spencer. In a recent episode, it was evident that Spencer played a crucial role in easing tensions between Cassius and Jordan. In the episode titled “Don’t Hate the Player,” Olivia’s presence was instrumental in mending frayed relationships within the Baker family, as she facilitated a reconciliation with KJ, who they discovered is their cousin. Originally, Olivia had intended for Cassius to be part of this familial reunion. Although Olivia is open to discussing Cassius’ perspective and letting go of his initial plans to undermine Billy Baker’s legacy, Jordan remains resistant to the idea.

Analyzing ‘Don’t Hate the Player’: A Look at Emotional Fallout and Character Development”

The episode primarily focuses on the emotional repercussions, but it raises a question about the future of All American, as it seems problematic if Olivia and Spencer are tasked with resolving Jordan’s issues instead of allowing him to navigate them independently. Olivia’s return serves to de-escalate the intense emotions, and perhaps one reason she can view the situation more impartially than Jordan is because she hasn’t been in California during this turmoil, thus lacking the same history with Cassius as Jordan does. Olivia emphasizes the importance of family after Billy’s demise. However, as Jordan has matured throughout the series, how can his growth continue if All American introduces Olivia to manage some of his major conflicts?

“Don’t Hate the Player” revolves around emotional repercussions but raises concerns about the future of All American. The show might struggle if it requires Olivia and Spencer to solve Jordan’s problems instead of letting him handle them himself. Olivia’s return helps cool everyone down, and her lack of California history might allow her a more objective view than Jordan. Olivia highlights the importance of family after Billy’s death. Yet, as Jordan has evolved, it’s questionable how his progression will continue if All American brings in Olivia to resolve significant conflicts for him.

All American chooses to keep Olivia as a crucial part of the Baker family, working towards resolution. However, if the narratives involving characters like Jordan and Cassius necessitate Olivia or Spencer’s return for progression, it suggests the series was in a tight spot and the storyline lacked momentum before their arrival. Although neither Olivia nor Spencer managed to completely resolve all issues between Cassius and Jordan, they did help lessen some of the animosity. For All American to effectively establish a meaningful connection between Jordan and Cassius that could foster character and series development, it’s essential for these two characters to take the final steps in mending their relationship on their own. Otherwise, their return might seem pointless.

In this episode, another significant storyline revolves around Khalil grappling with his guilt over thinking he may have contributed to Jordan’s brush with death. The intricacies of their relationship are tested as Jordan ponders whether he’s truly assisted Khalil or inadvertently caused him more harm. While Khalil contemplates extreme actions to retaliate for Jordan, it takes the collective efforts of Coop, Layla, and Jordan to bring him back from the brink of an emotional peak. Throughout the season, Coop has acted as a parental figure to Amina, and her own history with gang activities allows her to appeal to Khalil not to repeat the same mistakes she made.

From her own past experiences, Coop has learned more than she once did and employs this wisdom to help Khalil find healthier ways to deal with his emotional struggles instead of resorting to violent actions. Despite Coop managing to halt Khalil’s plans, it is Layla and Jordan who take on the role of guidance for Khalil, marking a significant progress in their relationship. Although Khalil has been living with them for some time, this episode marks the first instance where Layla and Jordan act as parental figures to him, symbolizing a major development within the Baker family. Unfortunately, Olivia doesn’t get to spend much time with Khalil, who she considers part of an extended family, but the family dinner at the end of the episode implies that things are heading in the right direction, bringing Oliva’s wish for her family to bond before her twins arrive closer to reality.

As the final episode of this season approaches for “All American,” the show must decide on resolutions for the lingering conflicts and unanswered questions. Can Khalil and KJ find a way to put their issues with Amina behind them, given they may now be connected by family ties? Will Khalil’s father cease being an impediment in Khalil’s personal growth? What steps will Jordan and Cassius take to improve their relationship? Will “All American” revisit Coop’s ambition to become a lawyer again? Might Amina decide to transfer to another school? As the series prepares for potential new seasons, it needs to demonstrate a commitment to developing stronger bonds between its fresh characters, prioritizing the original cast members in storylines, and showcasing how these characters can evolve as an updated ensemble cast.

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2025-04-30 15:14