Get ready to run from the beach to the living room, grab a glass of wine, and break out your score cards for the final round of Team Conrad versus Team Jeremiah: The Summer I Turned Pretty is returning with its third and final season on July 16. Since the arrival of the teaser trailer at the end of April, fans have been flocking to social media to theorize what’s in store for the infamous love triangle between brothers Conrad (Chris Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno) and Belly Conklin (Lola Tung). Though the series has stuck uncommonly close to Jenny Han’s original source material, The Summer I Turned Pretty series, I still haven’t had any spoilers, and thank God for that because, as always, it promises to be dramatic. But hear me now ー if this doesn’t end with Conrad as the winner, I’m going to lose it. That’s just one writer’s opinion; no hard feelings if you disagree (but really, Jeremiah?).
Season Two: Torn Between Two Lovers
Belly’s come a long way since the love-struck teenager mooning over her childhood crush Conrad at Cousins Beach ー now she’s mooning over his brother! After a fleeting but deep relationship, Belly and Conrad broke up on prom night after he became increasingly distant, dealing with his mother’s declining health. During their relationship, and afterwards, Jeremiah, still reeling with the sting of rejection, froze Belly and his brother out completely. It is only after Suzannah’s death and the Cousins Beach house being on the brink of sale that Belly, Conrad, Jeremiah, Steven, and Taylor put aside their differences to fight for their childhood home.
Inevitably, the love triangle starts up again. Conrad flirts with a more self-assured and confident Belly. Jeremiah layers on the classic cheesy charm and undercuts Belly and Conrad at every turn (I’m sorry the bias is really coming through, isn’t it?). Belly feels pulled by her past with Conrad and their undeniable chemistry in one direction, and the sexual chemistry and effortlessness she finds with Jeremiah.
It really looked like Belly and Conrad were going to make it work for a minute there. After a drunk and brutally honest conversation between the two over how their relationship fell apart (“I THOUGHT YOU KNEW” ー oh Conrad, it’ll always be you), Conrad finally gets to work. I’ll give it to Jeremiah fans ー Conrad really does drop the ball a lot; he always has to wait until the last second. Ready to tell Belly how he feels, he’s thrown off when she comes to shake his hand as friends. But, after the victory of keeping the Cousins house, an all-night study session run by Belly, and encouragement from Steven (“If you love her man, tell her how you feel”), Conrad is ready to ace his exam and come tell Belly how he feels. Walking excitedly to the car, he stops short when he sees Belly and Jeremiah making out on his car. Gut punch for all of us, I think.
The final episode of season two was definitely one of the show’s best. A sparring match between the brothers resulted in some hilarious moments, tension you could cut with a knife, and the official end to Conrad and Belly. For now.
And They Lived Happily Ever ー Uh Oh
The teaser trailer is an idyllic montage of Jeremiah and Belly’s blossoming romance set to Taylor Swift’s Daylight. We see Belly moving into Finch while Jeremiah runs down the steps to greet her, romantic surprises complete with bouquets and Jeremiah in a suit, dancing at college parties, frat and sorority field day games: the perfect college sweethearts. Then, suddenly, an opening door with a surprised Conrad outside in the snow and a shocked Belly behind the threshold. Here we go, folks. Years have passed since their relationship; Conrad is dressed in professional clothes, and the Jelly college montage seemed to span their four years there.
So the question begs to be asked: Is there still a spark? Judging by the look in their eyes when they see each other, I’ll go for a passionate, obnoxious YES.
I’m sorry to be so one-sided, but these two never even had a chance. Their relationship was plagued before it even began (thank you, Jeremiah) and then tested beyond both of their capabilities when Suzannah got sick. My list of reasons for siding with Conrad is long and potentially rooted in a truly irrational disdain for Jeremiah. He just bugs me. But the main reasons are these: Conrad always liked Belly even before the summer she turned pretty, whereas Jeremiah only noticed her after.
Also, Conrad never puts any pressure on Belly; he only wants her to be happy, even if it’s not with him, whereas Jeremiah has intentionally sabotaged Conrad and Belly (remember when he literally shot a firework at them to stop them from kissing?) and constantly guilts her over her choices. Jeremiah puts himself over Belly, and I have a feeling that’s bound to be showcased this season. Either she ends up with Conrad or, maybe even better, she removes herself from this small romantic orbit she’s been in her whole life and sets out on her own. But, I’m guessing that won’t be the case ー they say you never get over your first love.
Looking for another TV Recap and Review? Check out the final season of You here.
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