'All American' Season 2 Episode 8 review: From Jordan's baby to Asher's parents, this fall finale ends with one too many forced twists
The review contains spoilers for 'All American' Season 2 Episode 8 — 'Life Goes On'
Moving on is not easy. After Corey's (Chad L. Coleman) death, the James family is coping up with the loss and trying to accept the new normal. Episode 8 begins on a joyous note as Spencer (Daniel Ezra) finds out he is the 57th rank player in the country but can't seem to wrap his head around it. There is too much happening in his life. Layla (Greta Onieogou) comes to lend her support in this time of crisis and tells him he will be fine — eventually.
Layla shows Spencer her research on her mom's mysterious death and wonders if she killed herself. There is no way to know, and Spencer tells her and asks her to drop it. But Layla doesn't want to give it up so easily. One night, crying and thinking about the memories of her mom, she speeds up on the fast lane, is almost about to jump her car off the cliff when she pulls the brakes. Bursting in tears, she later calls Spencer and finally confesses that she needs help.
Struggling with depression for a long time now, she finally admits how she has been grappling with her sorrow all alone. "You've been trying to help me for months and I pushed you away. I'm gonna need help to get through this. And you're right it's the first time I am admitting that."
Meanwhile, Coop (Bre-Z) struggles with her "solo" act and Spencer asks her to "believe in herself." She is quite unwilling to include Patience (Chelsea Tavares) in her singing stint. "This is not a band. I am solo." Spencer realizes where the problem lies and points out that she isn't acting right. Patience realizes Coop did not tell her about JP's inclination towards her voice and has an argument with her. Later, Coop makes it up to her during her performance by giving all the credit and saying how she was "scared to lose her dream" when actually she was "scared to lose her girlfriend." It is heartwarming to see the two girls dancing to the tunes of their single.
Back at the Baker house, Jordan (Michael Evans Behling) gets a whole new baby room for Simone (Geffri Maya) with a bookshelf, baby crib and even gifts her a watch passed on from generations of his family. In a bizarre twist, she comes back to his house only to tell him that the baby isn't his. Moreover, Asher (Cody Christian) finds out his father swore to tell his friends how almost 20 years ago, his mother was an escort. That was the reason why his mother abandoned him.
More couple problems as Billy (Taye Diggs) realizes Laura (Monet Mazur) wants a divorce and even hands over legal separation papers to him. Is this the end of their marriage as Laura wishes to move forward? Towards the end of the episode, the big blow comes in the shape of Spencer's decision to quit football. While his family and his coach support his decision, won't the show lose all its charm if the star footballer drops out of the sport?
The fall finale brings one too many shocks before the series goes on a break. Sadly, some of them are too forced just to add a pinch of spice to the dull and dreary storyline. From Spencer quitting football to Layla seeking help for her depression and Jordan finding out that the baby isn't his at all, the makers seem to have added twists just for the sake of it. Perhaps, when the series is back in 2020, it will try better to present an episode packed with the right emotions, action and drama.