All American Season 8 Episode 10 Review: Nothing is More Important Than Family

Critic’s Rating: 4.1 / 5.0

4.1

All American upped the stakes by putting one of the beloved original characters in jeopardy.

While I never believed that the series would kill off Olivia or her babies, that arc has worked since it affects so many characters and brings them together.

All American Season 8 Episode 10 still didn’t show any football, but it did focus on another important theme: the meaning of family.

Families are complicated, and All American has always shown that. It made sense that Cassius narrated this one since he had a complicated relationship with his father, had only recently connected with the Bakers, and was trying to reconcile with his life.

It felt like Cassius wanted to be there for Jordan as he fell apart because they had been there for him, and they were still establishing their connection.

Poor Cassius must have felt caught between supporting the Bakers and dealing with the chaos at Beverly.

The Pressure Gets to Jordan

Realistically, I understand that the series could only get the OG stars for an episode or two, but Olivia’s pregnancy scare doesn’t hit as well without seeing her.

I wish Laura Baker would have returned by now, too. Jordan could have used his mom. He was freaking out.

The worst was likely over since they stopped the mild bleeding and were working to stop the early labor. But Jordan and Olivia are connected by their twin bond, so this was extra stressful for him.

He’s the type of person who can’t sit still and wait for answers. He wandered around, wanting answers. But the pressure got to him, and he fainted.

Jordan thrives at taking care of others, like his team. He’s not so good at taking his own advice.

I don’t entirely blame him for being upset that Layla never mentioned she considered selling her label, but she was right that this wasn’t the time to discuss it.

It had been a stressful week with the football showcase, the ICE raid, and then Olivia’s premature labor.

It’s another reason I wish they hadn’t crammed so much into one week. All American could have allowed some of these emotional beats to breathe more.

Balancing More Than One Family

Who knew that Cassius Jeremy was such a devoted family man? While we’ve seen him with KJ, I never knew he’d be that supportive in a crisis.

He fielded calls, picked up supplies to make Olivia more comfortable, and got Jordan food so he wouldn’t faint again.

He acted like he wanted to make up for the trouble he caused and repay the Bakers for their kindness.

Part of me thought Ava was being insensitive to demand that Cassius only focus on their immediate family. I mean, I get it. Women hate to be stood up and ignored. But she seemed almost resentful of the time he spent with the Bakers.

He only made her angrier by repeatedly ignoring her calls, but he was embarrassed that he needed to prove himself.

She needed him to make their son his priority instead of his cousin. Cassius was in an impossible position.

But then I understood that she wanted him to trust her and let her help him instead of being a lone wolf. 

That worked much better because he finally admitted why he stood her up, and Ava didn’t care about the money. She loved him for many other reasons.

She also had the brains in the family and came up with a way to trap Cliff. KJ finally got his wish, and most teenagers don’t see their separated parents reunite.

The Hunt For Spencer

I should have guessed we wouldn’t actually see Spencer this week. While there was a legitimate reason to find him, the scenes of Coop hunting him down added some comic relief.

She’s so blunt, and it was funny watching her harass Cassius for being in the Baker home.

But the best was when she just sauntered onto the shoot as if she belonged there. She wasn’t going to be deterred by a security guard since she used to manage Spencer’s career.

It was even funnier when another worker knew exactly who Coop was. She was famous for her musical career after all.

I don’t think Spencer went off and cheated. I suspect if he’s in town and went off with a woman, it’s his mom.

No one can locate Grace either. While I mostly enjoyed this episode, I hated that they dumbed down the characters.

I’m glad Coop used her negotiating skills, though. She hates those reporters, but if anyone can find Spencer quickly, it’s them. Well played, Coop.

Nothing is More Important Than Family

All American has always highlighted the importance of family, whether by blood or the family you create.

Cassius tried to do the right thing by fighting for his job because he wanted to win back Ava and provide for her and KJ.

Cliff Mosley took advantage of that desperation, allowing Cassius to fall prey to him.

It wasn’t until Cliff Mosley was vicious to Jordan while he stayed at the hospital for hours instead of showing an ounce of compassion that Cassius fought back. I called that one since Cliff Mosley did almost the same thing to Billy. He has not changed.

I loved that he knew how to threaten him, saying he would take him and the boosters down with him.

I didn’t expect Cassius to quit his coaching job, but he likely doesn’t want to stay and work for those who worked to fire him.

After everything that happened, all Cassius cared about was living happily with his wife and son, ensuring that Olivia and Spencer’s babies survived, and that Jordan would be there to see them.

These two have come so far since they first learned they were related. They could barely tolerate each other, and now they would do anything for one another.

Over to you, All American Fanatics. What were your thoughts about this Cassius-centric episode? When do you think Spencer will arrive?

Let us know in the comments.

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