All American Tackles Reunions And Changes In Season 6 Premiere

"Things Done Changed" picks up one year and three months after All American's season five finale. Fast-forwarding to the future opens the door to the constant of change, as the audience meets up with a matured portrayal of the Vortex. But, what do these changes mean for the future?

Perhaps one of the biggest storylines in the season six premiere finds Olivia's return from London after over a year away, experiencing the world on her own and discovering a more firm grasp of who she is away from Spencer and the rest of her friends. The Vortex is so closely entwined between familial relations, long-time friendships, and romances that it makes sense that Olivia could undergo a massive transformation and discovering a more solid sense of self when she is isolated and forced to experience the world on her own.

Olivia's return is met with a new look, but it is also met with a different view on life and a sense of self-awareness that Olivia knows that she has returned a different person than the one who left home over a year ago. However, even with all of Olivia's changes, that does not do much to put a dent in Olivia and Spencer's relationship, at least, not immediately.

After watching the first five seasons of All American, it became par for the course that Spencer James is usually stressing out about something. Whether it be football, romances, friendships, or family drama, Spencer was usually known for being surrounded by drama. However, in the year that GAU was not competitive in football and Olivia was in London, Spencer just got to enjoy existing. While he may have missed competing, Spencer certainly got his name out there in the year that GAU was rebuilding its football program, becoming one of the biggest athletes to watch in college football.

Does Olivia's return and GAU's ability to compete put an end to Spencer's calmer demeanor? That certainly seem like a possibility. As soon as GAU's ability to re-enter the competition coincides with Olivia's return, Spencer's short-lived calm behavior jumps right back to being stressed about the things that matter most to him. While the extra attention from the media may not be entirely affecting Spencer yet, there is still more time, especially as the season continues, where it could risk messing with his head, especially as the premiere's conclusion teases that Coach Kenny's new assistant views Jordan Baker as the team's biggest asset, rather than Spencer.

As their friendship has grown, Jordan and Spencer have usually supported each other and lifted the other up. However, neither is entirely unable to stop themselves from being jealous by the attention the other gets at times. In "Things Done Changed," Jordan briefly lets jealousy in as Spencer's name is on the rise while the media is showing no attention to him. However, that does not stop Jordan from recognizing the great things he has going on in his life.

Jordan's growth is recognizable here too. Rather than lean into jealousy, Jordan chooses to look at the things he has going for him, such as getting to spend another season enjoying his time on the football team and his engagement to Layla.

All American also offers the first introduction to Asher and Jaymee's son, AJ. Along with AJ's introduction is a glimpse into Asher and Jaymee's strive to conquer parenting, school, and work, which does not come easy. Scheduling and AJ's cold cause some brief issues for Asher and Jaymee, but it is nothing they can not handle with the help of each other and their village of friends.

Season six's time jump also offers major news surrounding Patience's massive cliffhanger. Patience survived the attack, then went on to rehab in New York before returning home to California. Patience's injury and rehab put a stop to Coop's wish to rekindle their romance, but Coop's feelings are still there, waiting for Coop to feel like the right moment to reveal them.

Coop did get a moment to return to music, though, when she stepped up for Patience, singing a song she knew the audience would recognize. The decision helps keeps customers at the lounge, and allows a fun moment of nostalgia for the early days of All American when Coop was striving for a music career.

However, the PTSD surrounding Patience being stabbed by Miko is still felt by the Vortex. The revelation that the security camera footage of Miko being thrown out puts fear in Patience, who becomes frightened and anxious on stage during her comeback performance.

But, Patience is not the only one to feel the emotional impact of the news surrounding Miko. Layla is carrying guilt from the incident, thinking about how she had made different decisions rather than listening to Patience's wishes regarding how to handle Miko. Still, Patience reminds Layla that Layla is not at fault for Miko's actions.

The time jump also shows the opening night of a new business venture for Layla, seeing the music producer open a lounge with new business partner, Ryan.

"Things Done Changed" also offers an answer regarding JJ's whereabouts followings the news that Hunter Clowdus was exiting All American ahead of the sixth season. The show's explanation for JJ's absence was that he had left for Tibet on a journey for self-discovery.

The explanation works well enough for a character who had spent season five partying and lost about what he wanted to do and who he was. However, his absence does not change anything occurring in the show, and given how JJ's character trajectory had kept him so separate from the rest of the main characters throughout season five, his absence is easily explained and written off.