The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 8 sees Belly (Lola Tung) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) on their wedding day as Belly reels from Conrad’s (Christopher Briney) grand declaration of love. Will Belly make it down the aisle after hearing such a confession?
When it comes to keeping the tea hot, The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 8 wastes no time. In fact, it only takes one minute from the title screen for Belly and Conrad to fight regarding Conrad’s love confession. Don’t worry, I counted. Let’s discuss in our TSITP Season 3 Episode 8 recap of “Last Kiss,” and why it continues the series’ hot streak of great episodes.
Belly Confronts Conrad in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3 Episode 8
Conrad starts by blaming the whole confession on being drunk, which is probably the worst excuse he could’ve come up with, especially considering it’s not the first time he’s used this one. From Belly’s point of view, it’s easy to see why she thinks Conrad is still that same teenager she dated all those years ago.
However, Belly couldn’t be more wrong. In a move that would make Season 1 Conrad’s stomach churn, Conrad admits that Belly broke his heart with the things she said to him the night prior. After refusing to leave, he doubles down on his confession.
Belly then reduces their lifelong connection to the few months they dated in high school, but Conrad doesn’t buy it for a second. When Conrad mentions their intense moments from Christmas 2.0, Belly grimaces in such a way that tells Conrad everything he needed to know. Belly still loves him.
Belly Tells Jeremiah the Truth in ‘TSITP’ Season 3
Conrad also receives some choice words from Taylor (Rain Spencer), who has always held a skewed perception of Conrad because of Belly’s unreliable narration. Belly then reassures herself that she just needs to “get through” the rehearsal and the dinner, so that she’ll finally be with her best friend.
At the dinner, Adam (Tom Everett Scott) lets slip that Jeremiah has accepted a full-time offer at his firm behind Belly’s back. As for Jere’s extra semester, he’s elected to take his classes online and live in Boston. Belly gave up her dream of going to Paris to be with Jeremiah, and now it won’t even happen.
Belly takes a night swim to clear her mind, and finally comes clean to Jeremiah about Conrad’s confession, revealing she couldn’t marry him in good conscience without telling the truth. Jeremiah is understandably pissed, but Belly reassures Jere that she’s committed to him, and not Conrad.
The Big Day Arrives in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3 Episode 8
Ring the bells, pop the champagne, the wedding day is here…but the groom is M.I.A.! Belly is losing it, so Steven (Sean Kaufman) attempts to calm her down, but then quickly bounces to confront Conrad, blaming him for Jere’s absence. So far this episode, Conrad has been yelled at by Belly, Taylor, and now Steven.
Conrad searches for Jeremiah and eventually finds him at Susannah’s (Rachel Blanchard) memorial garden. He begs him to go back, but Jere is blind with rage, leading to a full-blown fight. Jere sends a right hook straight to Conrad’s face, and after Conrad falls to his knees, he admits to Jeremiah his true feelings for Belly.
Out of options, Conrad hands Jeremiah a letter written by Susannah for his wedding day. While the envelope reads “Jeremiah,” the letter itself reads “Dear Conrad..” Their letters got switched! Upon reading, Jeremiah declares that Conrad is not to be at the wedding or present in Jeremiah’s life any longer.
Belly Finally Confronts Her Repressed Feelings
Taylor visits Belly in her dressing room and tells her not to marry Jere because their relationship is co-dependent. While everything she says is correct, the timing could be better. Belly gets defensive and calls Taylor selfish, prompting Steven to stand up for Taylor, who’s been supportive of Belly in all of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3.
Belly’s next visitor is none other than Conrad, who is there to say goodbye. He apologizes to Belly once again for hurting her and offers his best wishes to her and Jere. Conrad gives Belly one last kiss on the forehead before leaving, in a sequence that will leave viewers sobbing.
If that wasn’t enough for Belly, Jeremiah visits next. They both say the wedding is still on, but the second Jere notices Belly’s expression change at the mention of Conrad, Pandora’s Box opens. Jeremiah cannot let it shake that Belly, even if they were married, would always love Conrad, saying, “You can’t marry me to erase him.” Belly knows it’s true, so with that, the wedding is called off.
‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3 Episode 8 Review: New Horizons for Belly
As Taylor Swift‘s “cardigan” plays, Belly leaves the Country Club and heads to the summerhouse to pack her bags. But, in one of the show’s most resonant moments, Belly places her key to the summerhouse on the island as the young voices of her, Conrad, Steven, and Jere echo in her mind. In this moment, Belly knows that to love something is to let it go. She goes to the airport and buys a one-way ticket to Paris with the voucher Laurel gifted her. However, just as she gets to her gate, she notices Conrad at the airport as well.
As of now, TSITP Season 3 Episode 8 is in the running for the series’ best episode. The emotional tension was palpable from the moment the episode began and never wavered throughout its runtime. After this episode, everything falls into place. It’s like the most perfect game of Tetris, where the placement of a single piece clears the entire board. It was nothing short of exhilarating.
Best Moment: Seeing Susannah’s letter to Conrad. We all paused to read it, right?
Worst Moment: Conrad and Belly’s final goodbye. I was a mess.
Episode MVP: Belly, for finally realizing the mess she’s gotten herself into and getting out. Good for her.
Best Needle Drop: “cardigan.” Taylor Swift has been used a lot this season since “False God”, but this one felt so tasteful.
Quote of the Episode: “I’m worried about you, I feel like you’ve completely lost yourself in Jere. That’s not love, that’s codependency.”
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'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Season 3 Episode 8 Review
'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Season 3 Episode 8 ReviewThe Sour Patch Kids (The Pros)
- The episode carefully moves character arcs forward, as Belly and Jeremiah finally come to an end.
- The drama never wavers! There was even a real fight!
- The emotional moments resonate deeply, with intense love and pain sprinkled throughout the episode.
The Swedish Fish (The Cons)
- The episode was filled with non-stop excitement, and some of this could've been spread out, to avoid the drama-less episodes earlier in the season.
