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    All American Season 8 Episode 12 Review: KJ’s Dreams and Pressures Collided as He Crossed the “Finish Line”

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    All American Season 8 Episode 12 Review: KJ’s Dreams and Pressures Collided as He Crossed the “Finish Line”

    We finally got a football game.

    ​All American Season 8 has had its highs and lows, and the lack of football has been noted.

    ​The writers continued giving each main character a special episode, and All American Season 8 Episode 12 focused on KJ and the pressure he felt to make the showcase succeed.

    (Kevin Estrada/The CW)

    ​He’s felt a massive amount of undue responsibility with Jordan, Cassius, and Khalil busy with Olivia at the hospital. He’s acted not only as a quarterback but as a leader to impress the coaches and the press.

    ​”Finish Line” showed how that pressure affected him on the field, and how KJ will face his fears moving forward.

    ​It’s nice to see Coach Bobby coach his team and see Coach Kenny recruit some new players for GAU.

    ​It felt like an old-school episode, but I disliked how it didn’t have any of the original cast in it, except for a few minutes of Coop. I had hoped for a Jordan or Layla appearance.

    It’s KJ & Khalil’s Moment to Shine

    KJ and Khalil’s relationship has grown so much. They were bitter rivals, and now they’re friends, no matter how much they protest.

    (Kevin Estrada/The CW)

    They’ve been there for each other, supporting and cheering one another on.

    They’ve practiced drills, and they’ve earned this chance to get football scholarships.

    They started this football journey together, and it made sense that they crossed the “finish line” together.

    I loved that both of them had coaches there because they earned it.

    Amina Showed Real Growth

    Amina can be annoying with how she butts in, but she showed real maturity tonight. She went back to Crenshaw to face her fears.

    (The CW/Screenshot)

    ​It still affected her, but it helped that Coach Bobby reminded her that she inspired many people with her bravery.

    ​I hate that he didn’t know what happened to Jordan. Sometimes this show makes no sense, but it was the perfect opportunity for Amina to brag about how Khalil saved the day, so that Coach Bobby would see him differently.

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    ​Coach Bobby has changed, but he’s usually still a rule stickler; since Amina alerted him that Crenshaw needed help, he made sure he showed up for Crenshaw.

    ​I also appreciated that Amina and Tori could bury the hatchet. Sure, there’s less drama, but they’ve both shown they know what matters.

    (Kevin Estrada/The CW)

    Will Coop Change Her Path?

    Coop’s arc during All American Season 8 has been about giving back to her community. She’s been torn between going back to her roots and making something of herself.

    Coop’s been stuck in the past, mainly about when Shawn died. She hated that Miss Ruth, his mom, has been in prison for years for protecting Coop since they both wanted Tyrone dead.

    Miss Ruth never wanted Coop to blame herself, and she’s happy that Coop changed her life.

    Coop learned so much from strong women like Miss Ruth, so it’s understandable that she went to her for guidance.

    Since All American is ending, I doubt we’ll see Coop get Miss Ruth out. I’m also unsure whether we’ll see Coop reunite with Breonna. 

    (The CW/Screenshot)

    They seem to want different things.

    KJ Buckled Under Pressure, and Needed to Remember Why He Loved Football

    I was so glad to see football take center stage finally.

    While each team wanted to win, both Coach Bobby and Cassius gave inspirational speeches about playing the game they love and how all the boys had been through hell, but life was precious.

     It was about having fun and doing their best. KJ was still off, and Khalil was kicking butt. KJ eventually started scoring, and Crenshaw led by only seven points at halftime.

    While it seemed like things were improving for KJ, he got nervous, and Khalil caught on on defense in the second half.

    KJ threw a great pass, but Khalil caught it, and KJ fell and injured his arm. I love how Crenshaw stopped and knelt out of respect.

    (Kevin Estrada/The CW)

    It was too much for KJ. He focused so much on preparing for the showcase that he didn’t warm up enough, and now he thought his dream was over.

    The joy and fun of football seemed to diminish, and it took Coach Kenny to knock some sense into him after Amina had no luck.

    Almost every football player or coach has torn or injured something. If they have enough passion, they can come back.

    To KJ and many of the other guys, football meant joy, family, and community. I originally thought Coach Kenny came to sponsor Khalil, and while he seemed impressed by him, he was also impressed by KJ.

    KJ wore so many hats by supporting his team on and off the field, and that’s who they wanted at GAU.

    (Kevin Estrada/The CW)

    KJ and Amina Finally Took Their Chance

    Some fans have shipped KJ and Amina since All American Season 7, but I’ve appreciated how brutally honest they’ve been and how they’ve stood by each other since the beginning of this season.

    ​Amina showed very little sympathy after KJ was injured. While she felt for him, she knew he’d heal faster if he got angry and kept his will to fight.

    ​She thought if they could get through the past week, they could survive anything. They just needed to believe.

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    ​She sounded a lot like Ava. Cassius was right about that, so KJ should be used to opinionated, honest women in his life.

    ​Apparently, KJ likes them, since his priority was to confess his feelings to Amina. That scene felt so much like Matt and Julie from Friday Night Lights.

    ​It took guts to admit he’d always liked her, and she’s one of his biggest dreams. They’ve been circling each other, and neither wanted to admit it.

    (The CW/Screenshot)

    ​I’m so excited that they finally did, and that the series showed a mini montage of their best scenes. I wish we could have gotten more of them before the series ended.

    ​Seriously, though? All American has teased Spencer’s return for weeks, and I hate they’ve made it sound like he’s unreachable.

    ​The moments we’ll get in the finale better be worth it.

    ​Over to you, All American Fanatics. Were you glad to finally see the football showcase? Are you happy about KJ and Amina?

    ​Let us know in the comments.

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