'All American' Season 2 Episode 6 review: Blood is thicker than water in this episode which hints at a major death
Spoiler alert for 'All American' Season 2 Episode 6 — 'Hard Knock Life'.
Packed with adrenaline and a bout of energy, the new episode makes more space for the F-word — football! But, is it the real game or just publicity and show off? An exhibition 7-on-7 rematch of the Beverly Eagles vs South Crenshaw creates tension for all the players, but especially when Darnell (Da'Vinchi) proposes a bet that Spencer (Daniel Ezra) can’t refuse.
Things heat up with a lot of bad blood on the field. Coach Billy Baker puts the situation back in control by telling his players to play with "heart, class, passion." In the end, Spencer and Darnell both kneel down and make a sacrifice for their teams to shake hands.
Corey's (Chad L Coleman) exit from the family still affects Spencer and Darnell. "There's one thing I know about Corey is that he never breaks a promise," Dornell tells Spencer, to which the latter replies, "And there's one thing I know that he always does. Cory is gone. You will drive yourself crazy to find answers that don't exist." Both Daniel Ezra and Da'Vinchi are spectacular in their performances as bereft sons.
A pregnant Simone asks Jordan (Michael Evans Behling) to accompany her for the appointment on Saturday. On the same day, he has a match and as he doesn't want to admit he will bail out on her, he wonders if he should just "ghost" her. Simone is almost about to blast Jordan in front of his team, but Olivia (Samantha Logan) helps her calm down. Later, Olivia tells him to "be a man" and "respect the mothers in his life." Precisely then, Jordan takes up the responsibility on his shoulders.
Back at Beverly, Asher (Cody Christian) is asked why his performance dipped down. He blames it on Spencer James taking his spot but talks about how the team is still number one. Moreover, Olivia and Asher are also trying to figure out what the future for them means. Confused, Asher asks her, "Liv, is everything okay? You're acting weird around me? When will you start being honest with me?" Olivia then opens up tells him she needs a "best friend" more than a "boyfriend."
From looking after her mother to bring all family members on the same page and even handling her relationship woes, Olivia really is the backbone of the family in times of trouble. Actress Samantha Logan does a wondrous job playing the dutiful daughter and a responsible girl on screen.
Layla's father tries to mend his ways with his daughter. "Therapy only works if you're willing to give yourself a chance," he says. Talking about their new house, he adds, "What if this is more than another house? What if we both work to make it home?" Meanwhile, Coop turns to Layla for help with her song and to get in the good books of her father. Layla brings her mom's song lyrics to help her and Patience. When she meets her father, Coop isn’t prepared for what she hears. Apparently, he wants to take the song only if Coop and Patience want to play together as a "duo."
Towards the end of the episode, there is a big revelation as Coach Baker hints on Corey's cancer threat being the reason he left his family again. To support his doubts with proof, Dillon brings a medical receipt of a test for multiple myeloma from his room. Baker adds, "When this kind of cancer comes back, it is aggressive and terminal." As reality hits his sons, they are taken aback. Spencer then realizes how his father was teaching him "the game of life."
Grace (Karimah Westbrook) helps Spencer and Dillon understand that they cannot do anything about the fact that Corey is dying, but together, they can make sure that Corey doesn't die "alone."
Meanwhile, Baker comes to talk to Laura. He confesses how she is the "absolute love of his life." "I would do whatever it takes. But I am begging you please don't give up on us. Isn't it worth a try?" Perhaps, Billy and Laura will work things out and get back together for the sake of their children. The Bakers and James' families need to take some time off and process their emotions before heading on with their lives.
Directed by Kristin Windell and written by J Stone Alston & Michael Bhim, the episode brings forth more confusion and adds drama to the lives of all the characters, but makes a strong statement on how a family sticks together in the end, no matter what.