You guys already know how I feel about Simone and Lando, so I don’t even have to tell you what I thought of this week’s episode. This week’s episode gave me so much season two nostalgia, and I absolutely loved it. I’ve been Team Limone ever since they introduced Simone and Lando as a couple, and I haven’t given up on them since. I always knew that Lando was the better choice for Simone, and this episode just added to the mountain of evidence as to why it’s always been Lando for me. In this week’s episode, Simone and Lando were the only storylines, so instead of doing my recap like I usually do, I’m going to share some of my favorite Limone moments from this episode.
The president of Team Limone
Each week I tell you how much I love Simone and Lando together and how I would have chosen him over Damon. But I never share why I’m such a fan of Lando and why I think he’s the better choice for Simone. For starters, anyone with eyes can see how extremely handsome Lando is, and this is absolutely no shade to Peyton Alex Smith because he is also very handsome, but it’s something about Martin Bobb-Semple that just does it for me every time. I think it’s the smile. He has a smile that lights up the room, and I can’t get enough of it. Next, before Lando became the character that we all absolutely love, he was Damon’s number one rival. Lando in his villain era was entertaining to watch because he kept his foot on Damon’s neck even as a teammate. His wit and quick comebacks really drew me to his character.
Now moving onto him and Simone. There was a level of care and consideration that Lando has for Simone that I didn’t see from Damon. Yes, there was love and chemistry between Damon and Simone, but there was something different with Lando. Simone was able to be more vulnerable with Lando than she was with Damon. She had no issue opening up to Lando about her giving up Shay for adoption, while with Damon she felt that she had to hide it. I felt butterflies watching the two of them on screen together. That’s why when she chose Damon, I was not happy! But as the season continues, I think my dreams of Lando and Simone being endgame are on the horizon.
He’ll be there
One of things I love most about Lando is the way he shows up for Simone. We saw that last season with the bomb threat to her being on line. He always finds a way to support Simone, and we saw that again this season. When Simone got drunk and called him, he showed up to take care of her. When JR couldn’t take Simone to her radiation appointment, Lando did not hesitate to step in. Not only did he take her to her appointment, he spent the day with her to help raise her spirits.
He knows firsthand how cancer can impact patients due to his mom being a doctor. He made sure to show up for her even when she tried to push him away. Not only does Lando show up for Simone in a literal sense, but he also pours into her emotionally. He never fails to remind Simone how beautiful she is or how amazing she is. He pushes her to be better and believes in her when she doesn’t believe in herself. Lando for me is the ideal partner; he’s sweet, he’s caring, he’s considerate—everything a girl could ever want. After this episode, Simone really sees that she might have made a mistake.
Deck the halls
Christmas is my favorite time of year, so this episode was already going to be up there for me. Watching them do Christmas things together really warmed my heart. I honestly couldn’t see Simone doing these things with Damon. There was such an authenticity about that scene that I absolutely loved. Them baking cookies together was probably my favorite scene because it took a break from the drama that typically comes with watching All American: Homecoming. This was such a fun and lighthearted scene to watch because spending time with the right person can make the most inconvenient moment such a pleasant moment. Also, them burning the cookies every time added a comedic aspect that I enjoyed.
Holidays are meant to be spent with people you love… you see where I’m going with this. The holidays have a strange way of bringing people closer together. I think this episode reestablished Lando and Simone’s relationship to what it once was.
Paging Dr. Johnson
I loved how Lando’s first instinct was to call his mom when Simone expressed her insecurities around her surgery scar. His mother being a plastic surgeon that specializes in breast reconstruction surgery has allowed him to be there for Simone in ways that her other friends can’t. I love how Simone gained a new perspective on her diagnosis after speaking to Lando’s mom. Not only did she provide Simone with resources to help her get through her diagnosis but also offered her services pro bono if she ever decides that she wants surgery. It was important for Lando that Simone reclaimed her power and didn’t let cancer take away her self-esteem. Him buying her temporary tattoos to try out before covering her surgery scare was the sweetest thing to me. That type of love and care can’t be taught.
Issa Photoshoot
I couldn’t end this recap without touching on the photoshoot scene. The way that Lando provided Simone with an experience that helped her regain her confidence and see the beauty within herself. We can also talk about how the photos of Simone were absolutely beautiful. I feel that in this scene, the purpose was to show viewers how Lando sees Simone, because no matter what negative narrative she tried to put on herself, you can see in Lando’s eyes that she is still the most beautiful thing to him. Now that this episode has happened, I’m curious to see how things turn out for Simone and Lando, especially since he’s with Eva. This episode provided me with my much-needed Team Limone content, so shout to the writers for that.
What to look forward to
After watching this episode, you can’t tell me that Simone and Lando aren’t endgame. I don’t care if Damon comes back next episode with a ring in his hand; it’s always been Lando. That type of love and chemistry can’t be taught. We are moving closer and closer to the series finale, so I’m excited to see how the story ends for our two lovers.
Season 3 of All American: Homecoming airs on The CW on Mondays at 8 p.m. EST.
