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ALL AMERICAN SEASON 5 EPISODE 12 RECAP

Koliah Bourne
all american season 5 episode 12

The Baker Family and the Vortex continue to mourn the passing of Billy Baker, while Jabari tried to pay his respects. Here’s our All American season 5 episode 12 recap.

The Bakers and The Vortex grieve

The episode opens with the Baker family moving through their grief. We see early that Jabari is okay, but unsure whether he should make his presence known at the house. Meanwhile, Billy’s dad, GW, returns as a source of strength to Laura and Jordan.

In Crenshaw, back at his old house, Spencer listens to Billy’s voicemail. Dillon walks in and immediately checks in with Spence on how he’s doing. Spencer responds “I’m good” which will be a statement he makes often throughout the episode.

Liv is with Patience trying to make her mom’s bed, but when Spencer shows up she lets Spelivia chat. Liv asks how he is and he asks how she is. They both respond “same” showing they’re still grieving. Liv confesses she’s struggling to help her mom and doesn’t know what to do or say. She also doesn’t know how she’s to write a eulogy for her father. Spencer encourages her to start with “My father is” since she’s not ready to speak about her father in the past tense.

Jordan is tasked with finding Billy’s favourite suit, but can’t bring himself to go through his stuff. He calls Layla for help and she hears him out as he grapples with him not being on the bus with his dad. She continues to be a support to him throughout the episode, giving him the space to have a moment to himself.

Asher reminisces about the last bit of advice he received from Billy. JJ shows up and is a listening ear for him. Asher tells JJ about him becoming a dad. JJ is ready to be a ‘funcle’.

The funeral

Laura is the star of this episode and the focal point. She is overwhelmed, but is trying to find strength with the help of family and friends. With a date not chosen for the funeral, she makes a quick decision to have it the next day. She’s tired of sharing Billy with the world and only wants close friends and family in attendance.

Fast forward, Spencer and Coop are with Laura at the church talking to the Pastor about the service. When he asks how many people, Spencer says no more than 15 which surprises the Pastor. He suggests they can do more with how loved he was, but Laura asserts her decision.

Coop takes the opportunity to check in on Spencer, making sure he’s taking care of himself, but he reminds her he’s lost so many in the past two years and he’s built for it.

At the funeral, Everyone wonders where Spencer is. He’s alone thinking when Momma Grace checks in on him. He’s clearly struggling but is trying to keep it together. Laura has a moment with her twins, apologizing that they didn’t have more time with him.

The Pastor invites Liv to give the eulogy. She begins and can’t get through it. Jordan comes to her aid and talks about why Billy loved blue― because it brought peace and tranquility. He then asks others to share their thoughts and memories of Billy. Everyone gets up, but Spencer is stuck in his seat. He’s starting to show emotion for the first time in the episode.

During the repast, Spencer is out getting food for Laura who manages to say Billy’s name for the first time without crying. GW talks to Jordan about everyone finding peace in their own way, explaining that his peace comes from knowing Billy and his mother are together. Spencer returns with Jabari, but Laura is not okay with being in her home just yet.

The mourning continues

Jordan goes to South Crenshaw High and sits at Billy’s desk and reminisces of his last time playing around with his dad. Jordan later calls Jabari to the school to talk to him. He tells Jabari it’s not his fault. Jabari talks to Jordan about Billy’s impact and that Billy was going to do a big announcement for him staying at Crenshaw. Jordan begins to think about that.

GW sits with Laura trying to just be there for his daughter-in-law. Laura is angry about Jabari. GW says it’s not Jabari’s fault. Her anger has nothing to do with him. Billy chose to go back for him and it’s hard for her to reconcile what’s happening. He encourages her to talk to him; after all, he’s hurting like everyone else.

JJ shows up late the Baker house, Olivia questions him and calls him out on being drunk. JJ tries to cover himself and Olivia kicks him out.

South Crenshaw High celebrates Billy

Jordan returns with the idea of a community celebration at Billy Baker Field. He doesn’t want to tell Laura. This is Jordan’s way of respecting his mom’s wishes while honouring his dad. Laura has a girls discussion with Grace and Denise and when she realizes the house is super quiet, Grace tells her that the kids are planning a celebration for Billy. She’s not ready for it.

Back at South Crenshaw High, Dillon finds Spencer who thanks him for showing up for him. He talks about the voicemail and tells Dillon that he declined the call and that he would give anything to get the moment back. Olivia joins them and thanks Spencer, telling him he’s the glue keeping her family together. She shares that she will never feel normal and that her dad was her everything.

The crowd at South Crenshaw grows and we see Frausto is back to celebrate. Jordan gives a speech about how important the Crenshaw crew were to Billy and how important the crew was to him.

We then see Laura back at GW’s house in Crenshaw. She smells Billy’s coaching jacket and is surprised by GW who reveals that he and Billy talked every Wednesday starting their calls with “I love you”. He tells Laura she’s ready to attend the celebration and invites her to be his plus one. He shares that she’s the reason he’s so loved because when she agreed to move with him, she brought him back to the community.

The celebration kicks off with one of Billy’s favourite things―Shawn Stockman of Boys II Men is back singing an original song. As everyone is taking in the performance, Olivia looks over to see Jordan and Layla holding hands which makes her smile. She’s finally in on the secret. Laura sees Jabari in the hall and tells him to commit to doing what Billy taught him. GW presents the last of Billy’s favourite things―fireworks. Laura addresses the crowd quoting, “Life is a series of losses, loses breed lessons and lessons create blessings” – Billy Baker. She realizes she can’t move forward without the community. She’s grateful for them being her blessing.

At the end of the episode, we see Spencer alone at the gate where he first met Billy as we see a flashback of their first encounter. Olivia sits at her father’s desk, taking it all in. She opens his drawer and finds the liquor and takes it out with a glass. She’s left pondering.

Man, this episode pulled at the heart. What an emotional ride. By the looks of the upcoming promo, the journey continues. 

Tweets of the night

All American Mondays at 8pm on The CW.

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All American Season 5 Episode 11 recap

ALL AMERICAN SEASON 5 EPISODE 11 RECAP
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