All American: Small motivation, smaller stakes

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The surprising disclosure that KJ is linked to the Baker family carries significant weight, yet its delivery through the unveiling of a vengeful plot orchestrated by KJ’s previously mentioned but never-before-seen grandfather weakens the overall storyline. Previously hinted as a troubled father who negatively influenced Cassius during his upbringing, KJ’s grandfather made his screen debut in All American, revealing that he is Billy Baker’s half-brother. His anger and thirst for vengeance stem from a long-held belief that, had his biological mother not given him up to the foster system, he could have achieved the same success as Billy did. However, this argument overshadows the fact that at the time of her first pregnancy, KJ’s grandfather’s mother was likely a teenager who might not have been able to provide him with the same opportunities and resources that eventually led to Billy’s success. At that point in her life, she was in a very different situation, and it seems KJ’s grandfather never considered the challenges she faced from his perspective.

From a passionate fan’s perspective, it seems that KJ’s grandfather’s motivation is rather minimal, and unfortunately, it intensifies Cassius’s animosity towards the Baker family unjustifiably. Unlike what one might expect from someone with a personal grudge, it’s not Cassius himself who bears this long-standing hatred for the Baker family. Instead, he’s been manipulated and brainwashed since childhood to harbor this animosity, while his own father saw him as a letdown.

KJ’s grandfather appears to be seeking validation, as if to demonstrate that he was the superior child who shouldn’t have been given up for adoption. However, the individuals he seeks to prove this to, like Billy or their shared biological mother, are no longer alive. It leaves me wondering, what is the purpose of pursuing this vengeful plan now? What was the ultimate goal intended to achieve in the end?

The emotional journey regarding this plotline revolves around KJ entirely. Will he reveal the truth to Jordan? In this situation, KJ seems bewildered and unsure of how to proceed, as it’s not what he anticipated hearing. It’s understandable that KJ’s initial response is to stay with Amina, which aligns with Tori’s past statements about KJ seeking comfort in Amina during emotional lows. However, “No Role Modelz” doesn’t show KJ responding to Tori’s texts after the game, despite his busy mind at that time. Any potential efforts by KJ to rekindle their romantic relationship might be difficult now, and it would be more beneficial for him to maintain friendship with Tori in future encounters. KJ appears to prioritize Amina over Tori, but any attempts to deny this only strengthen the show’s portrayal of a love triangle rather than a square.

In this episode, another significant emotional thread revolves around Khalil’s bond with his father. Despite Jordan organizing a surprise birthday party for Khalil, the main narrative focus is on Khalil attempting to reconcile with his father while making it clear that he prefers to stay with Jordan and Layla. The Bakers have offered him a more nurturing, secure atmosphere that fosters his development instead of pulling him back into potentially harmful situations. Although it’s not definitively shown or confirmed who attempted to harm Jordan at the end, Khalil’s shock and remorse, coupled with his choice to remain with the Bakers, suggest that Khalil’s father might be involved, even if he didn’t directly attack Jordan.

The show “All American” is moving away from its original characters by focusing less on them in season seven, which can be disappointing because it weakens their storylines and emotional connections. A puzzling creative decision has been made with Jordan and Layla, who are central to the series, only appearing in separate episodes instead of together. This choice undermines their role as a stable foundation for the show. Their marriage should be at the heart of the story, evolving and growing alongside the characters, providing a strong connection to what “All American” once was. An opportunity has been missed by not showing them navigating parenthood together when Khalil moved in, exploring how they handle fostering a teenager on the brink of adulthood. Instead, their separate appearances do not harm their marriage but leave viewers wondering why one is absent at any given time.

While Coop’s personal life with her professor and her academic growth in law school are both overlooked, it seems that the seventh season of All American has been focusing more on the new characters. This approach may work well for its fresh additions, but it appears to disregard the main storylines of the original cast members. This inconsistency not only affects the narrative but also detracts from the viewing experience. Although we appreciate the introduction of new characters, the lack of focus on established characters makes season seven feel fragmented and disjointed, much like watching multiple shows simultaneously. For longtime fans, it can be frustrating that their preferred storylines are sidelined.

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2025-04-22 18:14