The Summer I Turned Pretty S3E1 Recap: 'Stop...You're Losing Me!'

A New Chapter for The Summer I Turned Pretty

After a long break, fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty are back for the final season. The third season is now available on Prime Video, with new episodes released every Wednesday. Belly (Lola Tung), Conrad (Christopher Briney), Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), and the rest of the group are once again on screen, but things are far from smooth.

The first episode, titled “Last Season,” sets the stage for what promises to be an intense and emotional journey. It opens with Belly in college, attending Finch University with her boyfriend, Jeremiah Fisher, and best friend, Taylor Jewel (Rain Spencer). The episode begins with the Conklin family dropping off Belly at her dorm, playing "Dreams" by The Cranberries as a nostalgic touch.

Belly’s mother, Laurel (Jackie Chung), gives her a picture of herself and her late best friend, Susannah (Rachel Blanchard). As Belly pins it up on her wall, a collage of photos from her college years appears, revealing that three years have passed. This time jump marks a significant shift in the story, as Belly is about to finish her junior year. She’s still with Jeremiah, who is set to graduate, and things seem to be going well—until they don’t.

The episode features the Finals Freakout, a university event where fraternities and sororities celebrate the end of the year with field games and drinking. The music selection includes Chappell Roan’s “HOT-TO-GO!” as the group plays Twister. During this event, Jeremiah receives a call from Conrad, setting the stage for their reunion.

Conrad's Journey

In the four years since the last season, Conrad has been at Stanford, studying to become a doctor. He has made friends with Agnes (Zoé De Grand Maison), who encourages him to open up about topics he usually avoids. One of the most notable developments is that Conrad is attending therapy, which seems necessary given his emotional struggles.

The show also reveals that the Cousins Beach community is dedicating a garden in memory of Conrad’s mother. The entire group is reuniting for the first time in four years, but Conrad is conflicted. Not only is he responsible for writing a speech with Jeremiah, but this will also be the first time he sees Belly with his brother since their Fourth of July celebration, which didn’t go well.

However, Conrad may not be able to attend the ceremony, as both he and Agnes are admitted into Dr. Namazy’s (Nayab Hussain) clinical program. Dr. Namazy is known for being strict, so Agnes discourages Conrad from taking time off.

A Shocking Revelation

Back at Finch University, Belly discovers she has been accepted into her dream study abroad program in Paris. However, her excitement is quickly overshadowed when she finds out that Jeremiah is upset. He switched his major, causing some credits to not transfer, making him ineligible to graduate on time. This means he will need to stay an extra semester and owes his father $20,000. The reason? He didn’t check his emails, a lesson in real-world responsibility.

The episode also introduces the “Staylor Side-Plot,” focusing on Taylor and Belly’s brother, Steven (Sean Kaufman). They have been on and off for the past four years, and their reconnection adds another layer of complexity to the story.

A Major Betrayal

The episode ends with Belly discovering a shocking truth at Jeremiah’s fraternity party. While in the bathroom, she overhears a conversation about a steamy hookup between Jeremiah and a sorority girl in Cabo. Confronting Jeremiah, he uses the “We were on a break!” excuse, similar to Ross Geller’s infamous line. This leads to a slap and a powerful needle drop of Taylor Swift’s “You’re Losing Me.”

Final Thoughts

While the show stays true to its source material, the absence of Cousins Beach is noticeable. Fans who tuned in solely for the setting might feel disappointed. Lola Tung delivers a strong performance, but her chemistry with Gavin Casalegno is lacking, especially in emotional scenes.

Despite some shortcomings, the episode has its highlights. The slap scene is a standout moment, and the use of “Can’t Stop” by The Red Hot Chili Peppers during Conrad’s entrance is a cinematic highlight. The therapist character also adds depth to the narrative.

Overall, the first episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 sets the stage for an emotional and dramatic season ahead. With high stakes and complex relationships, viewers can expect a rollercoaster ride.