It’s virtually exhausting to consider that Friday Night Lights premiered in 2006. Its “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” angle will without end be a staple.
That stated, there isn’t a denying that All American has a manner of doing issues higher than its predecessor.
All American relies on the real-life experiences of soccer participant Spencer Paysinger, specializing in two totally different colleges, South Crenshaw and Beverly High School, their college students, households, and communities.
We are inclined to assume that cash brings happiness. The youngsters at Beverly High are privileged with pretty issues and hefty allowances, however the extra significant issues in life, like household, solidarity, and character, shine at South Crenshaw.
After first watching All American, it is exhausting not to attract a comparability from it being a mixture of Friday Night Lights and no matter teen drama present first involves thoughts, whether or not it is 90210, The OC, or Riverdale, however a deeper look reveals there’s rather more to the present.
From shining a lightweight on important social points to extra dramatic storylines, we’re right here to share the important thing variations that All American does higher.
Socioeconomic Issues, Racism, And Violence
On the present, we see subjects like gun violence, racial profiling, gang violence, racism, and socioeconomic points prevalently featured. Yes, we see a few of these briefly proven on FNL, however nothing like we do on All American.
The CW sequence tells a narrative that’s larger than simply soccer. While we see how the world could be sadly divided, at a deeper evaluation, it additionally factors out how we’re all human and have shared tales.
When Spencer first transfers to Beverly High, his first yr is introduced with racism and stereotyping by fellow college students. We even see Asher ask him if he’s a crip or blood in All American Season 1 Episode 1.
However, it would not finish there. Spencer additionally experiences resentment and stereotyping from his former teammates for leaving them and becoming a member of the world of the prosperous.
Regardless of how anybody sees him, Spencer is a humble character with timeless hometown delight who will do all the pieces for his mates and group, together with preserving it from gentrification, an all too real-world drawback.
His dedication to his mates is extremely evident in his friendship with Coop. She results in a gang, and her character, amongst others, depicts how not having many choices in life can lead her down a violent path.
Spencer doesn’t need that to occur to anybody, particularly Coop and his youthful brother. Along with opening up a dialog, we additionally see motion taken and optimistic outcomes. This instructional angle offers All American, regardless of the subject, a step above.
Before FNL noticed the break up of East Dillon and West Dillon, inequality, racism, and gang violence was scarce. The exception, in fact, is Coach Mac McGill’s racist feedback and Smash’s protest of the way it was dealt with.
While FNL covers class variations, it’s not close to the financial hole seen in All American and the issues that come up from it.
Gun violence is entrance and heart when Spencer is shot whereas defending Liv from a drive-by capturing and circles characters like Coop, Preach, and Tyrone. FNL’s finest depiction of the problem is Vince giving Coach Taylor his gun.
Sexuality
In Friday Night Lights, the queer characters are minor, at finest. The most we see is on Friday Night Lights Season 4 Episode 4 when Julie and Devin Boland go to a homosexual bar and see assistant coach Stan Traub.
However, in All American, Coop is deserted by her household for being a lesbian. Patience, her girlfriend on the time, is there for her by offering her with a spot to remain and somebody to assist her work via her sexuality and settle for herself.
Their relationship is by far probably the greatest on the present, and there’s no lack of content material depicting their loyalty and love for each other.
While the LGBTQ+ group has been extra prevalent in TV sequence these days, it’s not the place it ought to be, and sometimes, the depictions fall flat. Still, this pure, lovely relationship is inspirational.
Police Brutality
During All American Season 3, Olivia is enraged by the capturing of Tamika, a younger Black lady who’s killed by police whereas asleep in her automotive. Olivia can not help however assume again to how she drove intoxicated with Spencer and acquired in a fender bender.
Olivia and Spencer had been provided a trip dwelling as a result of her white mom is the District Attorney, however she will’t recover from the truth that issues might have ended a lot in a different way.
That is just not the one time we see this within the present. On All American Season 1 Episode 3, Spencer and Jordan had been pulled over by the cops whereas driving Jordan’s convertible. Spencer instantly raises his arms and acts calm, whereas Jordan is confused and questions the cop.
In the tip, the 2 find yourself face down on the pavement and handcuffed. When they get dwelling, Spencer scolds Coach Baker for not educating Jordan on what to do when such conditions come up.
When recalling FNL, no large moments of schooling come to thoughts.
Racial Profiling
In All American, there isn’t a lack of racial profiling depicted. An excellent instance is when Spencer, Olivia, Jordan, Dillon, Asher, and Kia get frozen yogurt.
When Dillon and Spencer begin arguing, the proprietor would not simply kick them out; she calls the cops on the group for “loitering and disorderly conduct.” To prime it off, the cops ask them if they’re a part of a gang.
This scene is extremely infuriating, on condition that this store outcomes from gentrification in Crenshaw.
Maybe extra of an instance of simply pure racism, however when the police pull over Dillon’s bus to speak to Smash, claiming he was the one to throw the primary punch within the brawl seen in Friday Night Lights Season 1 Episode 6, we see racial profile.
Smash was strolling away, and Tim Riggins was the starter of the altercation. However, the true instigators had been the opposing workforce and refs.
Mental Health
In All American, Layla struggled with despair. Her absent father, her mom’s loss of life, and total pressures from life turn out to be an excessive amount of, and she or he makes an attempt to take her personal life and results in a psychological well being facility.
This vital second creates a dialog surrounding psychological well being and the way even the individuals who appear to have all of it collectively could be hiding what is going on on inside.
This is to not say that FNL did not cowl points surrounding psychological well being.
We see Jason Street wrestle after changing into paralyzed, Waverly Grady has bipolar dysfunction, and Tyra Collette clearly has PTSD. Still, it lacks the schooling and dialog round these points that All American drives dwelling.
Substance Abuse
From the beginning of All American Season 1, Olivia’s dependancy points are entrance and heart. Her sobriety is one thing she has fought for daily since going to rehab. We even see she has a sponsor.
Unfortunately, she does find yourself relapsing. However, dependancy can’t be cured; there isn’t a remedy for it, and it is vital for viewers to know this and to interrupt the stigma.
Tim Riggins struggles with alcoholism in FNL, and he positively lacks the parental help Olivia has.
Also, nobody tries to cease him like they do different underage characters, and it’s barely talked about as a legit drawback, so there isn’t any shock his makes an attempt to cease by no means work.
The listing might go on. All American is far more than simply your common teen drama. Pregnancy, betrayal, first loves, heartbreak, accidents, steroids, the poisonous tradition that soccer can have, loss of life, lies in households, plus many extra subjects all have a house within the sequence.
Hopefully, the present will proceed for some time and might proceed to teach its followers on the extreme points many TV exhibits will not contact on as a result of they’re too controversial.
Eve Pierpont is a employees author for TV Fanatic. You can follow her on X.
Discussion about this post