All American Season 8 Episode 12 Review: “Finish Line”
The penultimate episode is here! We are officially one episode away from the end of the season and the series, and All American is bringing everything together with “Finish Line.” There is a lot going on in this episode, but the biggest focus is definitely on KJ, Khalil, Amina, and the showcase!
We start off with a flashback involving the Jeremys as KJ recounts when he first fell in love with football. We finally get to see KJ take part in the showcase after what feels like three episodes of waiting for this man to actually get on the field. His mom is even on the sidelines giving commentary, but unfortunately, KJ is not exactly having the showcase he imagined. He’s choking under the pressure.
The college coach who recruited Spencer and Jordan is there watching, and he starts questioning why KJ hasn’t really been competing. The pressure is clearly getting to him, and that’s where Khalil steps in. Khalil calls KJ out for doing too much and tells him that his head isn’t in the right place, giving KJ the tough love that he needs in that moment.
Honestly, I really like their friendship. These two have come a long way, and seeing Khalil actually step up for KJ instead of making everything about himself is a great part of his growth. Coop also gets Amina out of the house so Preach can have some space to relax. While they’re together, Coop asks Amina about trying to fix things with Breonna. I like that we’re still getting these smaller conversations mixed in with all of the football drama because there is a lot more going on with these characters outside of the showcase.
Then Tori comes to see KJ in the locker room, and KJ is very apologetic. Tori assures him that he’s not a horrible person. He just made mistakes, and she hopes that eventually they can get back to being friends. Honestly, that was a really mature moment. Most kids are NOT this mature! I like that the show didn’t drag this particular situation out forever. KJ made a mistake, Tori was hurt by it, and now they’re trying to figure out what their relationship looks like moving forward.
Meanwhile, Amina heads to Crenshaw and immediately starts having flashbacks to the ICE raid. You can tell that experience is still weighing heavily on her, and I like that the show hasn’t just forgotten about everything she went through. Then it’s finally time for the scrimmage, and let me just say… these kids look like grown men! Like, at this point, they aren’t even trying to hide it anymore. Crenshaw and Beverly came to play, and Khalil and KJ are both putting everything they have on the field with the scouts watching.
Amina and Tori finally speak, and while things are definitely awkward between them, they eventually end up sitting next to each other in the stands. The boys are looking at them like, WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
Then things take a turn. Khalil gets put back on defense, and while KJ is ready to go, he makes a bad throw and gets injured pretty badly. He needs an MRI, but it’s pretty clear that he’s dealing with a tear in his shoulder. Now the dream that KJ has been chasing is suddenly in jeopardy. Cassius immediately blames himself because he feels like he pushed KJ too hard. You can see how much this hurts him because he’s not just KJ’s coach, he’s his father. Seeing your son get injured while chasing his dream has to be one of the hardest things imaginable.
Amina goes in to check on KJ, and once again, she gives him some tough love. She doesn’t let him sit there and throw himself a pity party. She tells him that his dream isn’t over, but she also gives him some perspective: football isn’t his life. It’s his dream. And there is a big difference.
That was actually one of my favorite conversations of the episode because KJ needed somebody to remind him that even if football doesn’t work out exactly how he planned, that doesn’t mean his life is over. Then KJ gets a college offer after Coach Kenny gives him a pep talk, complete with a Brown Sugar reference. You know what? I’m here for it. While KJ is dealing with his injury, the Stanford coach also wants to talk to Khalil, so things are changing quickly for these guys.
Cassius then tells KJ that he will no longer be coaching him. That’s a huge moment between the two of them, and with tears in his eyes, KJ accepts the new reality. Cassius also gives him some advice, telling KJ to go lock down Amina, just like Coach Kenny told him.
And I’m sitting here wondering… why hasn’t this man gone to the hospital yet?! KJ eventually finds Amina out on the field, and let me just say, this man’s game when it comes to talking to Amina is TERRIBLE. He finally admits that he wants her and that he’s been scared to admit how he feels. Amina is trying to fight it, but at this point, neither of them can really deny what is happening.
KJ and Amina are finally together! FINALLY! We’ve been waiting for this! And then, just when everything is finally happening, Coop gets the call we’ve been waiting for: Spencer finally calls. Of course he does! We are literally one episode away from the finale, so I’m guessing they couldn’t afford to bring Spencer back until the last episode.
But seriously, after all of the time we’ve spent wondering where Spencer is, getting that call right at the end was definitely the
way to get me ready for the finale.
Overall, I really enjoyed “Finish Line.” The KJ and Khalil storyline continues to be one of the strongest parts of this new generation, and I really like how their friendship has developed. KJ’s injury adds another layer to his journey, while Amina continues to grow into her own person instead of letting other people decide what her future should look like.
And yes, KJ and Amina finally happening was LONG overdue. Now we only have one episode left, and after that Spencer phone call? I’m ready for the finale.
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So
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