Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah: An Examination of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Triangle
The classic sibling rivalry tale is extremely present in Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty, with the brothers in love with the same girl.
Belly (Lola Tung), a 15-year-old hopeless romantic, has won the life lottery and found herself in a love triangle with Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Conrad (Christopher Briney). Their mothers are best friends and platonic soulmates, and they decided to raise their kids together and spend each summer as one big happy family. After all these years, in turn, both boys have fallen in love with Belly.
As Season 2 approaches, some viewers may switch sides or stick with their choice, or a new side may prevail. With the exciting premiere only a few weeks away, everyone is ecstatic to see what happens with Belly and her love life, of course. But before we can all gather around to watch these teens have the best summer of their lives again on gorgeous, picturesque Cousins Beach, it needs to be decided once and for all: Are you team Conrad or team Jeremiah? Scroll down as we take a look at what we’ve seen from both sides heading into Season 2.
The Summer I Turned Pretty, Season 2 Premiere, Friday, July 14, Prime Video
Team Conrad: Belly's first and ultimate crush
Let’s start with the obvious: Conrad was Belly’s first crush. A girl’s first crush never leaves her heart or mind. Belly heads into summer, ready to finally make her dreams come true. Conrad and Belly have a deep talk by the pool on the first night, and Belly senses something is off with him. Just before he can open up, their moment is interrupted.
Unfortunately, Conrad has a girlfriend, Nicole (Summer Madison), and Belly meets a new boy, Cam (David Iacono), at a bonfire party the same night and kisses him. At the same party, Belly tries to intervene when Conrad is fighting someone, and once he punches her, Conrad attacks him. It’s not the most mature sign of affection, but it still counts. The next morning, they sit together on the beach and recap the night, indicating they both have hidden feelings.
Team Jeremiah: Gives Belly the warm welcome she deserves
In the first episode, Belly goes to a bonfire party on the beach, and she is extremely scared and not used to any of it. She sees Conrad with his girlfriend Nicole, and he is incredibly rude to her, dismisses her, and calls her a brat. However, the minute Jeremiah sees her, he is so excited and welcoming and exclaims how happy he is that she came.
Team Conrad: Shows maturity when new boy in town catches Belly's eye
In Episode 2, Cam asks Belly out on a date, and they go to a drive-in movie just in time for Conrad, Jeremiah, and her brother Steven (Sean Kaufman) to pull up in a car next to them and crash it. It’s an immature move, but Conrad acknowledges that it is stupid and they should leave, proving his maturity and respect for Belly’s decisions. Later that night, Conrad and Belly fight in the kitchen, and he deflects, saying he doesn’t care who she is with. Just a slight bump in the road for her and Conrad, but fans know he has been the one since the start. It would not be as fun if there weren’t obstacles in the way of their love!
Team Jeremiah: Driving coach, gift giver, and best "friend" all in one
In Episode 3, on the morning of Belly’s birthday, Jeremiah gives her a good luck charm to help her pass her driver’s test after Conrad fails to present a gift, which upsets her. Then, he takes her out on a drive to practice for her test, asks her meaningful questions, and makes her laugh. Slowly but surely, he becomes less and less “just” a friend.
Team Conrad: Emotional and physical fireworks
Conrad buys Belly a beautiful infinity necklace for her birthday but is too “tough guy” to give it to her. On the Fourth of July, while watching the picturesque fireworks, Conrad finally admits he bought her the infinity necklace and was embarrassed to give it to her. He tells her that he has feelings for her and leans in to kiss her, but he is too late because Jeremiah sets off a firework — the moment is ruined — proving that he, too, has feelings for Belly.
Team Jeremiah: Lifeguard by day, professional waltzer by night
Susannah (Rachel Blanchard) suggests Belly joins the debutante ball for the summer to make more friends, and she can live out the fantasy of having a daughter. However, at the start of the rehearsals, Belly learns that she needs an escort. Her knight in shining armor, Jeremiah, shows up in his lifeguard uniform and saves the day. He then plays a funny song, making everyone get up and dance to be more comfortable and less serious during rehearsal. Everyone has a much better time, and he rescues her.
Team Jeremiah: Finally makes his move and admits his true feelings
Though this is an extreme violation of the “bro code,” especially between literal biological brothers, Jeremiah proves how much he likes Belly. Shortly after Conrad shares with Belly that he cannot be with her, Jeremiah and Belly go night swimming, and he kisses her. He expresses how much he cares about her and that even though she is his best friend, he has always wanted to be more. It’s an incredibly bold move, but he sees his opportunity and seizes it.
Team Conrad: Belly's Prince Charming takes over
The night has come for the debutante dance, and Belly has decided to take Jeremiah after everything the trio has been through. However, Conrad tries to win back her heart by giving her the necklace he bought for her birthday and exclaiming how he doesn’t want to lose her, but it is too late. At the ball, Jeremiah disappears — for a good reason, as he learns that his mother has cancer. Conrad steps in to save the day and does the waltz with Belly.
Now, as the audience has seen through flashbacks in the series, Conrad taught Belly how to dance when she was little. So, not only is this a full circle moment, but it is also a nostalgic and magical one for their younger selves. The audience can see through how they look at each other that it is clear who the “winner” is. Jeremiah leaving her astray is not a sentiment against his team; it just proved to the audience through their eyes and body language who she genuinely loves, and it is Conrad.
Team Conrad: The Season 1 finale's perfect kiss
After an incredibly emotional night, everyone learns about Susannah’s tragic cancer diagnosis, and it becomes evident that they need to live their lives to the fullest. Belly admits she has been extremely selfish the entire summer. She now realizes how petty the drama has been and that their love for each other is more important than anything. As the summer ends, and the two families (one at this point) realize how valuable their relationships are, Belly now understands what love is. Belly and Conrad go to the beach, and he admits how much he likes her. The season ends with a magical kiss as Taylor Swift’s “This Love” plays.
