Jordan and Layla take a trip down memory lane as they, and Amina, make big decisions. Here’s our All American Season 8 Episode 11 recap.
Khalil arrives, finally
After a number of episodes and detours, Khalil finally arrives at the showcase to play with his team. He’s ready to compete against Cassius, KJ and Beverly, and help his team win.
Jordan and Layla’s trip down memory lane
Liv is awake and doing well. She believes Spencer will show up, but Jordan and Layla are concerned. Jordan has a lot on his shoulders. As next of kin, he has to decide whether Liv or the baby will live if something goes wrong.
Jordan goes back to the Baker house to find Liv’s blanket. When Layla arrives at home, she finds Jordan having a panic attack. He’s losing everything, including Liv. He’s also missing the showcase and letting down his players. Layla lets him know that he’s more like his dad than he realizes.
But she’s stressed after the offer from Roc Nation to buy her record label was leaked to the press.
Layla admits that her and Jordan being apart for six months created a distance between them which is why she’s reverted back to making decisions on her own.
Layla also admits that the record label has taken her away from home and her other dream—having kids. Unfortunately, she doesn’t get the response that she expected from Jordan.
But all is well as they take a trip down memory lane and recall the pivotal moments of their relationship.
Justice for Preach
Meanwhile, Coop is taking to the TV news to get the word out about Preach.
Amina has some kind of good news. Dinsburg lifted her suspension, but she thinks they’re trying to use her and spin the narrative.
Mrs. Perez shows up at Amina’s house to help with the push to get Preach released. Her daughter also wanted to meet Amina after what she did for Mrs. Perez. While Mrs. Perez is helping her navigate her decision about Dinsburg, a special someone walks through the door.
Decisions, decisions
In the end, Amina makes a decision about school. She decides to be where she can create the most good.
Meanwhile, Jordan also makes a decision about where he will coach next season, Layla makes a decision about whether she’ll sell her record label, and the two of them make a decision about the future of their family.
Final thoughts
There were a few good things about this episode. The flashbacks showing the evolution of Jordan and Layla’s relationship were nice. Jordan showing how much he loves his sister was also special, as was Jordan really walking in his father’s footsteps and realizing how similar they are.
But this episode also felt it dragged on as Liv continues to rest in the hospital while we await the arrival of Spencer. While not every episode can be exciting, and the flashbacks were nice, it felt like “filler”, like those songs on a hip-hop album that you skip over to get to your favorite song.
In the end, it did feel kind of satisfying to have a few of the characters make important decisions that bring closure to their story.
Overall, as we approach the series finale, there’s a growing sense of sadness with each episode that this show that many of us have been invested in for the past eight years is coming to an end. An online support group might be in order.
Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s editor-in-chief and Senior Arts & Entertainment Reporter focusing on film & TV, music, and fashion. He was named one of 340 international voters for the Golden Globe Awards and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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