Warning: The following article contains book spoilers for The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Season 2 of The Summer I Turned Pretty ended on a pretty definitive note, with Belly (Lola Tung) choosing Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) over Conrad (Christopher Briney). However, the summer love saga isn’t quite over, as the final season of the Prime Video teen drama is set to release on July 16.
Despite being only 54 seconds, the first teaser for The Summer I Turned Pretty, Season 3 gives fans a lot to discuss. Featuring two of Taylor Swift’s most iconic songs, we’re breaking down what these 54 seconds and two songs could mean for our friends in Cousins Beach.
A lot of what makes the teaser worth discussing is the inclusion of the Taylor Swift songs. Swift is woven into the DNA of The Summer I Turned Pretty, with her music serving as the backdrop for the show’s most iconic moments. In true Taylor Swift fashion, these needle drops aren’t just there for show. The song choices and when we hear them reveal a lot about what’s in store for Belly this season, as well as her relationships with brothers Conrad and Jeremiah.
The majority of this teaser is a montage of happy moments between Belly and Jeremiah. It’s all set to the fan-favorite song “Daylight” from the album Lover. “Daylight” fits within the Taylor Swift Musical Universe as a spiritual successor to the titular song on her album Red. On”Red,” Swift uses a variety of colors to describe an all-consuming relationship. She ends the chorus saying that “Loving him was red.” In “Daylight,” however, Swift writes, “I once believed love would be burning red / but it’s golden.” The love Swift feels in “Daylight” is secure, while the love she feels in “Red” is passionate.
In the teaser, the last time we hear “Daylight” is when we hear “I once believed love would be burning red” as the Belly and Jeremiah montage cuts off. It then cuts to a small but powerful moment between Belly and Conrad as Swift sings “But loving him is red” before the trailer ends.
Taylor Swift Sets the Season 3 Vibe
So, what does this all mean for The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3? Essentially, the songs act as a window into Belly’s feelings this season. “Daylight” represents the safety Belly feels in her relationship with Jeremiah thus far. The synopsis released by Prime Video reveals a four-year time jump between Seasons 2 and 3. This means that Belly and Jeremiah’s relationship has lasted four years, a departure from the source material’s two-year timeskip. Choosing a song about a secure love fits these two perfectly, as security is what Jeremiah is seemingly providing for Belly.
Meanwhile, the use of “Red” for Conrad shows Belly’s powerful feelings for him. Belly used to believe that love would be burning red, but loving Conrad is red. Despite her secure relationship with Jeremiah, her feelings for Conrad are still so strong that they can’t be ignored. This is also shown through the screen time each couple gets; while Belly and Jeremiah take up more screen time in the teaser, it’s a single look between Belly and Conrad that tells us everything about their feelings for each other.
This is your final spoiler warning.
One of Belly’s most crucial moments in We’ll Always Have Summer is dubbed by fans as “Christmas in Cousins 2.0.” When her family leaves town for the holidays, Belly impulsively takes a solo trip to the Cousins Beach house to celebrate. She doesn’t expect Conrad to show up — especially after not seeing him for two (now four) years. As the pair spends quality time together, Belly realizes that she’s still in love with Conrad, kickstarting the plot of the entire book.
The trailer features a small moment from this chapter, which is the moment Belly sees Conrad for the first time in years. The show recreates it with almost pinpoint accuracy, down to the chocolate on Belly’s face from eating too many pretzels. With this iconic scene being adapted with such detail, it’s safe to assume that Season 3 won’t deviate too far from the book’s plot.
Summer Is for Lovers
Our final return to Cousins Beach on July 16 is rapidly approaching. With that date getting closer, there will be more Taylor songs to dissect, more book-to-screen moments to gush over, and a whole lot of salt air (with rust on the door!). I truly never needed anything more.
How do you think Season 3 will play out? Will the ending remain the same, or will it change? Let us know on the Agents of Fandom socials and follow for the latest entertainment news and reviews.
