All American Season 1 | Episode 13 “Legacy” Review

Who, or what, is your greatest influence? Who, or what, has shaped your life in the most impactful way? That’s the overall theme of All American’s 13^th episode, titled “Legacy,” as Spencer and friends tackle midterms while approaching the playoffs (I thought they were already through playoffs, but okay). The midterm question leads Spencer on, not only a self-discovery, but also a somewhat revealing journey of his father. Elsewhere, Grace is working her way through school to hopefully make a difference in the world, and maybe happens upon a new love interest. Meanwhile, Coop’s getting in deeper with Tyrone’s crew, but will she be able to find her way out the further she goes?

Greatest Influence

While everyone else seems to have a solid grasp on their answer for the midterm paper, Spencer’s asked to re-write his or he can forget about playing in the playoff game. He doesn’t understand why he’s having to re-write his paper because Neon Dion Sanders is who influenced his love of football. However, when he sees an old game tape of Billy’s, he learns that his father, Corey James, wasn’t just good at football, he was great. Like Spencer James great, if not better – those are his words. This discovery leads to Willy Baker revealing to Spencer that Corey had the opportunity to play in the NFL, but he had such a good thing going with Grace and the kids, he hesitated too long to commit to the game. So then why did he still leave his family if he turned down the NFL for his family?

That’s a question that plagues Spencer’s mind as he tries to re-write his paper. When he asks Willy, he’s told to ask his mom. So, he goes home only to find his mom with, Micah, her Urban Planning class TA. When Spencer cops an attitude about him dating all his students, Grace ushers him to his room. He questions her bringing some date home and where his brother is before asking why his dad left. At first Grace tells him she’s not discussing it right now. He doesn’t let up, and asks why she didn’t tell him about Corey giving up the NFL for them and how he was this great player, but she’s never once said Spencer reminds her of his father. She argues that he doesn’t remind her of Corey and that whenever someone mentions him, Spencer blows up. Again, he asks why his father left, but she ends the conversation. Later, she shows up at the Bakers, and when Spencer talks about the paper and the tapes, she says he doesn’t deserve the title of being his greatest influence. He asks the question again. She just says that it had nothing to do with him, and she doesn’t owe him further explanation of her painful memories. Eh… I have to disagree with Grace. A boy deserves to know why his father left him.

Anyways, Spencer finally manages to write his paper, and he gets an A+. His teacher believes that maybe it’s where his future lies beyond football. I’m guessing he’s talking about writing because Spencer wrote a beautiful piece about how many different things and people can influence our lives. If he absolutely had to answer the question, though, then he says his greatest influence isn’t some football star, his friends, Coach Baker, or even his mom or dad, but rather the absence of his father. Spencer finally made peace with his father being gone. He “put his ghost to rest” by writing that paper. However, that suddenly seems to change when Corey James comes to watch Spencer play for the first time.

Now, you may believe that’s the most shocking revelation of the episode, but there were a few small things that stuck out to me. The first being that Willy’s the one who called Corey and told him that Spencer wanted him to see his son play. When Billy asks his father if he realizes what he’s done, Willy responds with, “Sure I do. I gave my grandson an opportunity to shine.” At first, I thought he was just talking about coaching Jordan since he and Billy were discussing that prior to discussing Corey, but they had already moved on from that topic. Second, Corey shows up at the James house at the end of the episode. He tells Grace that she doesn’t have to worry about him telling Spencer “the truth,” but he wants to get to know Spencer. I thought we’d put the whole ‘Billy Baker is Spencer’s real father’ thing to rest, but maybe that’s still on the table.

Whatever the truth may be, I hope we find out within the final three episodes coming up!

Notable Mentions:

• Coop is treading treacherous waters trying to talk to people about Shawn’s death while simultaneously trying to convince Tyrone that she can take Shawn’s spot in the gang. That new driver, Preach (?), is creepy and I can tell he has his eye on Coop.
• All Jordan wants is for his dad to think he’s great at football. Why is it that Billy is so hesitant to believe in his son? Benching him because he doesn’t think he can handle the pressure just because of three other games? Jordan has the heart, the want and the potential to be great, but Billy doesn’t seem to want to push him to his full potential. I may not completely trust Willy, but at least he’s making his grandson feel like he has the potential to be great. And it works, too. Jordan comes into that game at the last minute when Spencer’s not focused and helps them win. My favorite part is when he walks off the field with the attitude that Willy says Billy used to have and asks his father, “who’s next?”
• Until now, the most personal information we’ve gotten about Layla’s mom is how she died. Thanks to the “Who is your greatest influence?” midterm question, we now know that she was a hit songwriter. Layla also reveals that beautiful gift was passed down to her. I hope we get to see more of this development.

• Speaking of that midterm paper, Olivia’s hesitant to share who/what she wrote hers about with her mom. Laura understands why it’s most likely not her since she wasn’t there when Olivia needed her most. By the end of the episode, Olivia hands her mom the paper and explains that “a little white pill” is what changed her life forever, but if she were to say who influenced her life the most, of course it would be her mother.
• Is Grace James on the verge of a new love interest with her Urban Planning class TA? I think they’d be cute, but I’m sure that’s a big no-no. Also, her choosing the Urban Planning class because of Flint, Michigan is fantastic. It’s always nice to see fictional television shows shedding light on real issues, especially ones that don’t necessarily get as much attention as they should. The Flint, Michigan water crisis is one of those issues.

All American airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW!