NOTE: Please beware, this post includes details from Monday’s episode of All American.
Season 6 of All American has spent much of its run time updating audiences about where its young adult characters have been for over 18 months since Billy Baker (Taye Diggs) passed.
These past two episodes also provide viewers with insight into Laura (Monet Mazur), his widower and the father of their children, after their tragic passing. While at first she focused on keeping the family intact amid such pain, now that the kids have managed to thrive she has more time and attention for herself.
Episode 5, Laura serves as a guest lecturer in one of Coop (Bre-Z)’s (formerly Bre) law classes — sparking some unease when Laura uses Patience (Chelsea Tavares) stabbing case as class material.
And on Monday’s Episode 6, while her siblings are busy exploring relationships at the lake house, Laura finds herself back home wondering where her next steps lie. After hearing advice from her mom to create a dating profile and explore possibilities therein, Laura realizes this might not be appropriate just yet but may eventually want to explore.
At first Laura wasn’t ready to let go; eventually though she realized it’s more about moving forward,” said Mazur in an interview with Deadline.
Deadline spoke with her actress about Laura’s past two episodes and whether or not we can expect an update on both of their romantic lives this season – particularly that of Laura herself (and potentially that of her mom!).
DEADLINE: Let’s first revisit last week’s episode where Coop and Laura got into it quite badly.
MONET MAZUR: Laura has an elaborate plan as to why she chose this particular case and switched the topics, which Coop is unaware of at first. Coop thinks Laura is being insensitive by taking advantage of such personal matters she feels attached to; in truth she was trying to identify any holes within it so they can counter pivot more successfully against it in court proceedings and counter pivot successfully as Coop has an emotional attachment to this case and was emotionally invested emotionally herself; eventually they do discover exactly why Laura did what she did and where it overstepped her boundaries; in truth Laura remains Coop’s superior and professor and Coop eventually comes around to understanding exactly why and overstepped boundaries before. At least eventually though close they both are, Laura still remains Laura who’s the boss; even so close they may both work for each other’s employers!
DEADLINE: Why was Laura so important in setting limits with Cooper? At that time, he seemed disgruntled after having to drop out of class. DEADLINE:
MAZUR: Laura has nothing but pride for Cooper as part of our community; there isn’t any favoritism toward her at school, she must work just as hard, if not harder, than any of the other students; Laura does not favor Coop because they are close; although Coop can sometimes come off a little arrogant she always manages to see the big picture afterwards and understand her role within it.
DEADLINE: In this week’s episode, Laura spends some quality time with her own mother who encourages her to create a dating profile and start using online dating platforms. What emotions may this prompt in Laura?
MAZUR: It was an enjoyable episode. Jaclyn always brings such energy, making their mother-daughter relationship even funnier; Jaclyn being such an exuberant character makes things very amusing, especially because Jaclyn wants everyone around her to follow in her footsteps and pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get out there again!’ So Jaclyn basically told them it was time to pull themselves together again! At first Laura finds it hard to move forward but eventually comes to realize she doesn’t need to – or need – let go. Although at times this feels like giving up something significant in her heart she realizes they don’t actually part ways and she just moves forward together with him as part of his storyline. Just taking that initial step can be terrifying and distressing – something which I know well as someone who’s gone through his or her share of heartbreak in their relationships. Even for people without similar baggage it can be challenging enough navigating life steps without losing someone important in life firsthand. But venturing out into the vast world of dating apps may be new territory for her after being married for so long; making for an amusing storyline and perhaps leading to another encounter down the line that we might witness!
DEADLINE: My question centered around where this storyline may lead.
MAZUR: Yes, eventually. By season’s end you should see where she goes.
DEADLINE: It has been wonderful seeing more from Laura and getting an insight into her life outside the children.
MAZUR: Exploring her various aspects has been great fun as we’ve explored her as an academic, widow and single parent. I love that she always sees the positive in things! With Billy having passed on earlier in season one and everyone thriving throughout this new chapter in their lives after his passing away a year or so later on the show – feeling as if this season represents all coming full circle back together and beginning over.
DEADLINE: Personally, I loved watching Laura’s mother and Billy’s father strike up an acquaintanceship and form friendships.
MAZUR: Oh that was fantastic and very entertaining to shoot as they had only worked together a handful of times over time, yet without Billy there and Jaclyn giving advice about online dating could potentially go somewhere too!
DEADLINE: Did Laura enjoy it as well?
MAZUR: At first she seemed bewildered; perhaps unexpected things might flourish here? So you never know.
DEADLINE: In this episode, Laura offers advice to her children regarding any communication problems they’ve been encountering recently at their cabin retreat. I wonder what advice she might offer them regarding any recent difficulties?
There was once a time when life meant nothing else but work – like now – so when people asked whether I knew any good places where you could buy cheap and long lasting clothes. Well here it was possible if only someone knew where and when. So my goal is now is to collect as many good quality secondhand and vintage garments to sell on as possible and save my precious wardrobe pieces so they’ll all go on holiday together and I won’t ever pay another dime again in rent payments or similar. MAZUR: Navigating that transition from young adulthood into adulthood within longstanding relationships where you’re learning more and more about who you are while simultaneously discovering who this other person is can really reveal who you are as an individual and how you respond when things arise, be they conversations between people or problems arising in discussions between couples. My children know from personal experience that sometimes being quiet and listening can often result in finding solutions more quickly than trying to force one on them all the time. At times it’s best to just relax and let things happen naturally without trying to control every second. Communication is crucial – most issues between couples arise when someone assumes what the other feels without communicating effectively first and leading nowhere constructive.
DEADLINE: As we reach halfway mark of this season, how is it feeling knowing there will be two additional episodes?
MAZUR: We couldn’t be more delighted, as we found out the day before anyone else did! Since 20 episodes were planned for our regular Season 6, 13 felt rather short to wrap up storylines; therefore 13 gives us room to wrap them up or change direction when necessary; additionally this gives us more freedom when considering Season 7. Considering we don’t yet know if Season 7 will happen yet either, these extra two episodes give us extra flexibility if something was to happen unexpectedly that required the fans not to be left hanging; fans want certain things seen, and so expect some really amazing things happen this fall season!
DEADLINE: Which fan attractions are you most eager for them to see?
MAZUR: They will likely be surprised and satisfied, the gift of six seasons being on a show…the fans at times help create storylines…we all read comments made in chat rooms or articles; many even come up with creative names for ships they create! So some really neat things might occur as an outcome…I won’t say any more except it should provide for an ending for each season that feels right to us all!
