All American has been one of my comfort shows since it began in 2018.
It’s felt different over the last few seasons, with fewer of the original characters involved and more politics sneaking in.
But the series returned to its roots in All American Season 8 Episode 11, which mainly focused on Olivia, Jordan, and Layla, with a bit of Coop, Preach, and Amina.
It’s my favorite of the season by far since it highlighted Jordan’s strongest relationships and how they’ve molded him into the man he is today.
“Find Your Way Back” also explored the impact Coop and Preach have had on Crenshaw, and I’m relieved that arc is dying down.
Jordan Baker Was the Episode MVP
Michael Evans Behling showcased some of his best work in “Find Your Way Back” as Jordan melted down at the thought of losing his twin sister.
Jordan hovered so much, wanting answers that he drove Olivia nuts. He wanted to stay on top of things. It’s how he showed love and kept himself feeling in control.
I didn’t blame Olivia for sending him home to get something for her. Jordan usually holds his emotions in, but he’s had to stay strong for so long, and there has been no one besides Layla to hold him up.
His mom isn’t there, and neither is Spencer. When they showed the flashbacks of Olivia’s overdose and when she almost did after Billy died, you could feel Jordan’s pain and fear.
He didn’t want to be the person who had to choose whether his sister or the babies survived if Olivia was in distress again. Olivia was everything to him.
Jordan earned that emotional meltdown, and I cried right along with him.
Jordan and Layla Needed Time to Come Back Together
While Jordan and Layla have seemed happy, some distance has grown between them.
They’re so in love and supportive of each other. Jordan’s meltdown in the bathroom was very similar to when Layla melted down years ago.
They fight emotionally and comfort each other a lot in enclosed spaces. It’s easier to be honest when you can’t escape easily.
Jordan was angry that Layla considered selling her record label without even discussing it with him. She didn’t want to add extra stress when he was worried about the showcase and Olivia.
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They really needed to talk because Layla got used to doing things on her own again while on tour, but Jordan missed it when she relied on him. It’s how they originally became closer.
I felt for Layla when she admitted that she wanted a family, and Jordan looked stunned. It wasn’t that he didn’t want one, but she hadn’t mentioned it before.
Jordan has always supported Layla and usually agreed to doing things on her timetable. He’s never thought she wasn’t capable of meeting her dreams, so he knew she would be a great mother.
She just needed to believe in herself. I thought he was hilarious, saying they could handle a “little Jordan” after everything they’ve conquered together. I wish we could see that.
There Were So Many Leaders in Crenshaw
I enjoyed how Coop returned to her roots. She wanted to get on those TV stations to plead Preach’s case as much as she wanted to place those banners for Spencer to call home.
Preach has changed so much since the beginning of All American, partly because the Bakers gave him a chance.
He paid it forward by helping teenagers at Crenshaw, and that inspired so many locals to gather at his house to make signs and T-shirts to help free him.
It was nice to see that even Ms. Perez and her daughter wanted to help after he stood up for her.
It was a bittersweet moment when Preach returned home. He was thrilled to be reunited with Amina and Coop, but disappointed that he was released quietly so the system didn’t have to deal with the loud protests his friends had planned.
Amina had changed, too. I’m not surprised she wanted to stay at Crenshaw. Ginsburg tried to squash her voice, whereas she could use her passion for good at home.
She really learned from people like Coop and Olivia about fighting for causes and people that matter.
The Nostalgic Flashbacks Demonstrated How Jordan Became Like Billy
I’ve thought Jordan was becoming like Billy ever since he and Layla took in Khalil in All American Season 7, but this episode cemented that feeling.
Jordan struggled to decide his future because of Khalil, not realizing how much Khalil had already blossomed under his guidance. Their relationship mirrors Billy and Spencer’s in so many ways.
I felt the end was near because of all the flashbacks. Jordan finally realized that while he grew up in Beverly Hills, his experiences at Crenshaw made him into a man.
He remembered Billy taking him for his first haircut in Crenshaw, and Billy choosing to stay at Crenshaw instead of coaching elsewhere.
Jordan felt like his dad, and he belonged there. He wanted to support the team he’s been coaching, especially Khalil. He’s made a difference in their lives.
I wonder if Cassius will stay at Beverly now. It would mean that everyone wins since Cassius could still be nearby, too.
What Will Happen if They Can’t Find Spencer in Time?
It’s become tiresome to watch the characters attempt to find Spencer with no luck. It’s exhausting when not even his brother has heard from him.
Olivia was clearly in denial. She needed to believe that Spencer would show up any minute, or she would become as worried as everyone else. It was her coping mechanism.
But she knew that Coop lied to her, and Jordan knew that if Spencer didn’t arrive soon, it would be up to him and Layla to decide Olivia and the twins’ fate.
Talk about added pressure. While Jordan has promised he won’t break, that’s a huge burden.
I hate that they’ve added that responsibility to Jordan and made Spencer look irresponsible.
Over to you, All American Fanatics. Did you enjoy the focus on Olivia, Jordan, and Olivia? Will Spencer make it in time?
Let us know in the comments.
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