MEAWW.COM / ENTERTAINMENT / TV

'All American' Season 2 Episode 3 Review: It's an emotional homecoming for Spencer and Darnell as they make peace with each other

Written by April Blair and directed by Sheelin Choksey, the episode shows how things can fall into their place if your heart is clean

The review contains spoilers for 'All American' Season 2 Episode 3 'Never No More'.

You don’t raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they’ll turn out to be heroes. Echoing that sentiment, episode three of 'All American' hits home.

Titled 'Never No More', it dives right into the spirit of football and rap. The Beverly High football team is on the field with Coach Billy Baker (Taye Diggs) back in full form. Spencer's (Daniel Ezra) head buzzes with his conversation with his dad Corey James (Chad L. Coleman).

Billy is still affected by his son Jordan Baker's (Michael Evans Behling) stance. Meanwhile, Asher (Cody Christian) is ready to mend his ways and shape Beverly High into a stronger team.

Spencer, however, is "hurt and furious" by his dad's life choices and he asks him to choose between him or Darnell (Da'Vinchi) if he wants him on the team. "I can give you both. Here's my condition: Send Darnell back to Nevada," Spencer tells Corey.

Later, when he shares this piece of information with his best friend Coop (Bre-Z), she tells him, "You're making your daddy choose between his two sons," to which an agitated Spencer replies, "He is not his son."

She has a solid answer to that: "And you are not Billy Baker's son but you still consider him as family, don't you? Let's say he chooses you, where would Darnell go?"

Spencer thinks about it and goes back to talk to his dad. Corey tells him, "For the record, I didn't choose anyone between you. It was Darnell's decision to go back. Darnell goes back to his mother's house — alone."

Spencer is sorry and finally takes a moment to go and talk to Darnell. On the football field, the two share a sincere moment when Darnell tells him he wasn't "trying to mess up his life" and confesses how Corey "changed the game" for him after being fatherless.

 Spencer relates to his position and realizes Coach Baker has been a similar inspiration in his life. He finally tells him, "Your home is clearly with Corey. You should stay."

Meanwhile, Spencer and Jordan also have a man-to-man talk about the game and clear out their differences.

When Jordan asks Spencer if he is a distraction to the team, the latter honestly blurts out, "100 percent," but he also says that he understands his state of mind and helps him get back his focus.

Spencer also talks to Billy Baker about his final decision and tells him how Jordan wants to see "the tough coach on the field."

When it is time to reveal the big decision, Spencer goes to his dad and says, "I am choosing you... to be my father. Not my coach. I have seen what it has done to Coach Baker and Jordan and I don't want that."

Without a word, Corey understands and gives him a tight hug. 

Back at Crenshaw High, Coop goes for a rap battle and while she is victorious the first time, she loses her motivation in the second round.

Her girlfriend Patience (Chelsea Tavares), Spencer and Layla (Greta Onieogou) cheer for her. Even after her loss, she is not ready to back down and says she will "never give up" on her dreams.

Meanwhile, Laura (Monét Mazur) helps Olivia (Samantha Logan) choose a new path for her future where she makes a new friend.

Layla has been acting up and even though Spencer tries to talk it out, she doesn't want to open up. Instead, she spends her father's money like crazy and boasts about his "expensive bribes."

She is clearly not in her mind and pushes Spencer away when he notices the scars and slashes on her wrist. Written by April Blair and directed by Sheelin Choksey, the episode shows how things can fall into their place if your heart is clean.

Packed with the right amount of emotions and drama, the episode leads to new beginnings and marks a homecoming for Spencer and Darnell! Missed the review of the second episode? Read it here: 'All American' Season 2 Episode 2 — 'Speak Ya Clout'.