The official poster for TV show “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” the third season of which was released weekly from July 16 to Sept. 17, is shown. Throughout all three seasons since the show’s premiere in 2022, the show has followed Belly Conklin (Lola Tung) and her two love interests, brothers Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney). “With plotlines like a surprise marriage, it is clear that the plot is very dramatic, with multiple storylines happening at once to keep viewers engaged,” Digital Feature Writer Abigail Holloway wrote. “Still, this drama is the main draw to the show, as the writing can be cringey at times and leaves a lot to be desired when discussing serious topics.” Image fair use of Amazon Studios
The final 11-episode season of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” was released on Sept. 17 and entertains fans all the way to the last scene.
TV show “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” an adaptation of the original book series by Jenny Han, is back for its third and final season, with episodes released weekly from July 16 to Sept. 17 on Amazon Prime. The final 11 episodes deliver a drama-packed conclusion to the story.
The first two seasons of the show follow Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) and her love interests, brothers Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney), as they spend their summer break at Cousins Beach in the beach house their families share.
But the third season picks up four years later in the timeline, where Belly and Jeremiah, who began dating at the end of Season 2, are in their junior and senior year of college. This change in scenery and plotline adds something refreshing to the show after a very similar story between the first two seasons.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” Season 3 trailer, released June 11, is shown. The series’s third season stayed true to the rest of the series with its romance-centered drama. “With 11 episodes, all running at about an hour long, the show doesn’t fail at keeping the same drama-filled scenes as the previous seasons,” Digital Feature Writer Abigail Holloway wrote. Video fair use of Prime Video
However, Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship is shaken up when the pair decides to get married, causing their families to question the reality of their relationship and prompting Conrad to consider if he and Belly are still meant to be.
With plotlines like a surprise marriage, it is clear that the plot is very dramatic, with multiple storylines happening at once to keep viewers engaged. Still, this drama is the main draw to the show, as the writing can be cringey at times and leaves a lot to be desired when discussing serious topics.
With 11 episodes all running at roughly 60 minutes, the show doesn’t fail at keeping the same drama-filled scenes as previous seasons, but, the plot may be more intense for viewers in this chapter, as the characters are older and Belly’s relationship with the two brothers is strained by her impending marriage.
There is also a noticeable shift in the tone of the show within the final three episodes. When Belly runs away from her life in the United States, specifically Cousins Beach, to move to Paris, she leaves the Belly she’s been throughout the show. The change in content gives viewers a much-needed break from the somewhat repetitive romance saga and allows for a much more uplifting message about finding oneself in difficult times.
As Belly reinvents herself, the show changes with her. This is most notable in the brighter coloration of the episodes. This unforeseen deviation from the show’s normal location and the storyline in the books may come off as strange to some viewers, especially avid fans of the books, as it takes place after the book series ends.
With 11 episodes all running at roughly 60 minutes, the show doesn’t fail at keeping the same drama-filled scenes as previous seasons, but, the plot may be more intense for viewers in this chapter.
The ending of these episodes and ultimately what viewers thought would be the end of the series felt lackluster and rushed, with the conclusion and the question of Belly picking herself or one of the two brothers, being answered very briefly. But Han’s announcement of “The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie” on Sept. 17 shortly after can explain the feeling of incompleteness viewers are left with in Season 3.
Regardless, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is great for those looking for a thrilling romance series and something easy to binge. The obvious competition between the two brothers leaves many rooting for either “Team Jeremiah,” “Team Conrad” or “Team Belly,” if they’re over the drama.
