They had us in the first half, I’m not going to lie. The first few episodes of All American: Homecoming were a chore to watch, but these last two episodes have actually been a pleasure. I hope this momentum continues for the remainder of the season. This week’s episode followed last week’s episode by returning to the original set-up that we all know and love. While addressing serious storylines, there were still a few comedic moments that made this episode enjoyable to watch. Here is my recap of episode six of All American: Homecoming

Family Affair

I can say that I like how the series is rotating characters to be the main focal point of each episode. Although Simone is the main character, I’m happy that the other characters get the chance to be in that seat for a while. For this episode, I love how the focus was a little bit more on Nate and her past. Nate’s estranged cousin comes into town for work, and it catches our girl by surprise. A clearly frazzled Nate catches the attention of Lando, who, I might add, is adjusting to being a part of the group beautifully. Nate tells Lando that she and her cousin Val were super close at one point in time but stopped speaking due to Val’s views on non-binary people. At first, Nate was going to run away from her problems with Val, but Lando encouraged her to take it head-on.

At first, I wasn’t exactly sure what Val did to Nate to upset her all those years ago because, when they finally met up, we get the backstory. Val seemed very sweet and like a supportive older cousin. I’m a firm believer that if someone does something to you, you should address the issue with them because, for some people, they don’t even realize that they’ve done something to you. Nate held a grudge against Val all those years without ever addressing the problem with her. That was not fair to Val or Nate. Val tells Nate that she had no idea why they stopped speaking in the first place; Nate, like always, lost her cool and stormed off.

Lando acted as the voice of wisdom in this episode, helping both Simone and Nate with their problems. After talking with Lando, Nate decides to talk to Val about what caused the rift in their relationship. Nate reminds Val of an anti-nonbinary post she shared during a time when Nate was coming into her own as a nonbinary person. Val then apologizes to Nate, and the two make amends, so we think.

Remember how I said that Val was in town for work? Val is a junior executive at a law firm and is in town to represent the people who attacked Ezra just a few episodes ago. Nate is absolutely appalled by Val’s choice to represent the men who would attack a vulnerable person. Although Nate always means well, she is someone who thinks that she is always right, and when you don’t follow what she thinks is best, she gets upset. We also saw this in an encounter she had with Simone. Val had to tell Nate how her way of thinking can potentially push the people she loves away. This inspires her to make amends with Simone at the end of the episode.

Choices, Choices, Choices

We’ve known about Simone’s health issues for the past few episodes, and in this episode, we see how Simone plans to take on the treatment while trying to maintain somewhat of a normal life. Thankfully, her cancer is only at stage one and can be treated with surgery and a few weeks of radiation. After speaking with her doctor, Simone learns that her treatment can potentially interfere with the tennis season. Being the strong-minded person that she is, Simone tries to figure out how she can receive treatment without missing the season.

We also learn that Simone has not told her mom or aunt about her diagnosis. She tells Keisha that they both have a lot going on, and she doesn’t want to bother her with her problems. Listen, Simone is better than me because I can’t even get sick without telling my mom. I couldn’t imagine going through one of the most difficult times of my life without my mom by my side. But I’m glad that Simone finally told her friends because, as she goes through treatment, she’s going to need all the support she can get. We’re still unsure if she has told Damon yet because we haven’t heard from or seen him since the first episode. I’m sure once he finds out, he’ll rush back to be by her side.

Throughout this episode, Simone is met with different choices. Should she sit out tennis to start her treatment? Should she freeze her eggs just in case the cancer comes back? Choices, choices, choices. As we know, Simone does what she wants to do, so instead of following the doctor’s orders, she tries to find a way to compete in the regular season. I completely understand that loving something so much that you will do anything to do it but jeopardizing your help is not the best idea. Simone starts lying to Coach Lonnie so she can continue to play tennis, and her friends, especially Thea and Nate, don’t think that’s the best idea.

Along with deciding on a treatment plan, Simone wrestles with the idea of freezing her eggs in case her cancer returns. My hat goes off to Simone for trying to make the best of this unfortunate situation and trying to be proactive when it comes to things she wants in life. Simone’s treatment was originally surgery and five weeks of radiation, but she was able to convince her doctor to move up her surgery and increase her radiation to reduce the time in order to start her egg freezing treatment and play in the competitive season.

Initially, both Nate and Thea are unsupportive of Simone’s decision, but they eventually show up for her both on and off the court.

KR or Jeisha?

Guys, every week we get closer and closer to JR and Keisha becoming an item and I’m not sure what I’m going to do when that happens. I know this episode was about JR showing Gabby that he cares. I don’t know how or when, but it will eventually come to an end. Each episode we see the two get closer and closer, and I can’t help but see what’s right in front of us. Whether we like it or not, they’re going to become a couple or at least share an intimate moment like a kiss. I see this happening, especially since Cam is avoiding Keisha.

I honestly don’t blame Cam for avoiding Keisha. First you start sneaking around behind my back, then the one thing you said you needed for yourself you share with a man who is not your boyfriend. It’s crazy how history repeats itself. Back in season one, Keisha tried to shame Simone for “emotionally cheating” with Damon while she was with Jordan, and now she’s doing the same thing with JR.

As things are on the rocks with Cam, Keisha helps JR create a special moment for Gabby. Coincidentally, Keisha and Gabby are into the same fiction novels, so she helps him create the perfect evening. JR also helps Keisha with this process of Simone having cancer, as it reminds her of her mother, who unfortunately passed away from it. Although I don’t condone breaking up happy relationships, I see why Keisha would fall for JR. He is such a sweetheart, and he constantly shows up for those around him; you can’t help but fall for him.

As both relationships seem to move in completely different directions, I wonder what the climax  will be between these two. Because as of right now, JR and Gabby are back on track, so this will be interesting to see.

What to look forward to

Based on next week’s trailer, Dr. P is back in town. We see the Bringston fam try to figure out how to keep Simone’s secret. I’m excited to see how Dr. P reacts to the news because you never want someone you love to go through anything like this. We’ll see if the fam will be able to keep up the charade.

Season 3 of All American: Homecoming airs on The CW on Mondays at 8 p.m. EST.