Has All American Season 8 Deviated Too Much From What Made the Show Special?

All American has always focused on football and friendships, but the series deviated from that focus in its final season.

I’m not even complaining about switching the focus to the newer characters. I expected that after Season 7.

However, All American Season 8 is more than halfway through, and we haven’t seen one football game yet, except for a flashback of the championship game.

We’ve barely seen either team practicing, and while I recognize it’s off-season, these were some of the moments that made the early seasons so great.

It was about the brotherhood of Spencer, Jordan, and Asher, and the bonding on and off the field.

The only genuine friendship we’ve seen among the new teens is between KJ and Khalil, and they are from rival schools.

While I enjoy their friendship, we need more build-up to this football showcase and how it will affect their futures moving forward.

The final season has become too political when it should have showcased the original characters’ final arcs and balanced their stories better with the younger generation.

I’ve liked some of it, but it’s missing the formula that worked previously.

There was plenty of drama pertaining to football and family with Jordan and Cassius planning the showcase, especially when Principal London and Cliff Mosley got involved.

I’m not a huge fan of their involvement, but both of the snakes have interfered before. I  would have preferred to watch Jordan and Cassius plan the showcase rather than be at each other’s throats.

It’s grown tedious, and they act more immaturely than their team. The teams can tell the coaches aren’t happy.

All American needs some lightheartedness, and with the exception of the flashback scenes of Amina and KJ at Dinsburg, this season hasn’t been very fun.

The series also needs its ride-or-die friendships. It’s one of its core components, and again, until Olivia visited on All American Season 8 Episode 8, that vibe was also missing.

The new generation hasn’t developed it as much except for Jordan and Layla’s relationship with Khalil, and everyone has seemed more distant this year.

Political Arcs Only Work in Moderation on All American

I’m not totally against political arcs on All American.

As I’ve mentioned, Amina reminds me of a younger Olivia Baker when she had her podcast, “Liv the Truth.”

Like Olivia, Amina wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believed in. The problem was that it was intertwined throughout the entire season.

While Amina’s spunk is admirable, I’ve also seen comments that others have grown tired of political-themed episodes and that the series should be more centered on football.

There is merit on both sides.

I’m still unsure ICE was the right story to play, as they never gave a legit reason why the agents targeted African-American teens. It seemed more like a race story and gave Amina another platform.

She was fierce, but did we need it? There will still be more time devoted to getting Preach released.

The Season Feels Too Rushed and Crowded

All American Season 8 feels too rushed and crowded because everything takes place over the span of one week.

That hasn’t allowed any of the stories to breathe enough, and while I’ve always advocated for balancing serious stories with some levity, that’s also been challenging.

It feels wrong to show flashbacks of Crenshaw’s award banquet and prepare for another win while Olivia lies on the kitchen floor in painful labor.

But that’s real life. I just wish these stories were allowed to breathe more. Fans have waited most of the season for Olivia’s return and for the football showcase.

Since they’ll be happening simultaneously, neither will likely get the attention we want, and that’s not fair. 

I hope I’m wrong, as the action and drama ramp up in the final few episodes with more returns and resolutions.

Over to you, All American Fanatics.

What would you have changed about Season 8? Do you think it’s different than the previous seasons?

Let us know in the comments.

Let’s keep the conversation going — it’s the only way the good stuff survives.

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