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'All American' Season 2 Episode 4 review: Billy and Corey finally put an end to their rivalry while Layla breaks up with Spencer

'All American' shines brightest when it delves into the complicated relationships between parents and children, siblings and perhaps better than it does for the romantic pairings

High-school reunions never fail to evoke a sense of bittersweet nostalgia.

In episode four of 'All American', titled 'They Reminisce Over You',  Billy (Taye Diggs), Corey (guest star Chad Coleman) and Grace (Karimah Westbrook) attend their 25th High School Reunion, which stirs up a lot of memories, some of them decidedly unpleasant.

The episode gives an insight into Billy and Corey's teenage years and their close friendship which hit a dead end due to their interest in Grace.  

Initially, they have a rough confrontation, and it seems as if they come to blows again, just as they did years ago. "Still jealous," Billy tells Corey. "I focused on the NFL, and you focused on your marriage."

"A marriage that you ruined," Corey replies. To pay back for the punch he had delivered years before, Billy hits him back. And then they finally talk, and apologise.

Corey explains why he dropped out of football and how that affected his marriage.  For all these years, he assumed Billy had cut him out because of Grace.

Billy explains that this was not the reason and that he had issues of his own to deal with. Years of bitterness, anger and bottled-up resentment are finally swept away.

And then, Corey makes a painful decision, which requires him to leave his sons behind, though Billy requests him to reconsider.  These scenes, paired with the soft soundtrack at the back and gentle alternating with flashbacks, are the highlights.

Corey watching his two sons at the end of the episode, with tears in his eyes, adds to the emotional quotient of the episode.  And for now, that's goodbye.

'All American' shines brightest when it delves into the complicated relationships between parents and children, siblings and perhaps better than it does for the romantic pairings.  

Meanwhile, Layla continues to struggle with her depression. The show takes mental health head-on, yet in an understated way.  Spencer summons the courage to talk to Layla, about the cuts on her hands, and in no uncertain terms does she tell him to back off.

She says that it is because of her bangles. Worried, Spencer tells Coop to spend time with Layla and keep an eye on her. Of course, Layla figures it out and is furious.

However, she almost gets into a fight. Things take a worse turn when Spencer decides to invade Layla's room with Olivia. The room has been trashed, and that worries Spencer more.

According to Olivia, this is Layla's doing, and not a break-in. Spencer calls Layla's father, and much to his shock, Layla catches him in the process of doing so. Livid, Layla breaks up with him and tells him to get out.

Hopefully, the show will focus on Layla’s depression, rather than Spencer and Layla as a couple and their woes.

Elsewhere, another mother-son duo hit a rough patch, as Jordan tries to break the rules of being grounded. This leads to a heated fight with his mother Laura (Monet Mazur), and it escalates when he praises his father, calling him the "good cop".

Gwen asks Harold for Asher back, but he reminds her of their "deal" and that she promised to stay out of his life else he will tell the truth about her. She responds with, "You tell him. But the only person you're hurting is, Asher."

This episode of 'All American' speaks volumes without saying anything. The emotions and complications of relationships and careers were put very subtly across, yet hitting you where it hurts.

It is going to be interesting to watch the next episode and see whether Spencer can finally get across to Layla.