All American: Spencer And Olivia face a relationship obstacle

Spencer and Olivia’s relationship has always been solid and stable for the most part. But, with Spencer devoting time to football and Olivia to journalism, things have been changing. Suddenly, they have nothing to talk about outside football and journalism, which contradicts their relationship in the past. So, what has changed?

Spences notices that he knows less about what Olivia is interested in than her co-workers, who she has not updated Spencer about. So to keep their relationship on the course, Spencer and Olivia must choose to work hard at it, which is when Spencer decides to step up his game, asking Olivia basic trivia questions about herself so they can get back on track.

However, Spencer and Olivia’s issue, while an underlying thread of “Hate Me Now,” is not the only relationship that is transforming.

Spencer and Asher find themselves on opposite sides of a conflict when Asher’s job requires him to make a profile of Spencer, including details Spencer had divulged in privacy to his friend. Although they are friends, they work for rival teams, and until they complete their Homecoming game, Spencer can not ignore that Asher and JJ are his and Jordan’s enemies.

Does that mean their friendships will resume as they always have after the game? Or is this a decision that will continue to impact the group? Spencer comes up with the idea himself, and Jordan and JJ do not seem to be aware that this separation is happening at all.

As for Jordan and Layla, things continue moving for them when Jordan brings Layla to finally confront Carrie.

Jordan vents to Layla about his frustrations with Spencer speaking highly of Wade Waters on their way to meet Carrie. He is anxious to get back on the field and had already hinted at coming for Wade’s spot on the team.

However, through his time with Layla, including getting involved in a pick-up football game with a group of strangers, Jordan and Layla find their minds removed from their greatest frustrations. Although Jordan does not steal Wade’s spot on the team by the episode’s end, Layla’s encouragement for Jordan to work hard for the spot and get out of his own way might be what he needed for a boost in his college football career.

Layla’s discussion with Carrie allows Layla to finally discuss her thoughts and feelings. Layla admits to having felt like she was never enough. However, Carries denies that Layla was never enough for her.

Carrie clarifies that her decision on the night of the cliff was not because Layla was not enough for her. Layla had even saved Carrie’s life by keeping her away from the cliff longer and pulling her to safety later. To Carrie and likely several others, Layla has been enough.

Coop and Patience are trying to figure out what their friendship looks like after their break-up. However, neither can help feel jealous when they think the other has a romantic relationship with someone else.

Rather than allow their friendship to die, Coop and Patience know they must commit to keeping their friendship alive while keeping up boundaries that will enable them to have healthy relationships with other people.

Relationships are evolving throughout All American, which is a tangible way to acknowledge the growth and change all the characters are experiencing as they grow up.