July 16 was anything but quiet at New York City’s Bryant Park as hundreds of passionate fans gathered for the premiere of The Summer I Turned Pretty’s third and final season. Can you believe the energy? 🎉 The lawn was filled with cheers, shrieks, and even a few groans as viewers reacted to the two-episode launch of this beloved series based on Jenny Han’s popular YA trilogy. I mean, who doesn’t love a good love triangle?
Fan frenzy at the premiere
Okay, but can we talk about Jenny Han? The mastermind behind the series reminisced about her own experiences with coming-of-age dramas. Remember Felicity? That moment when Scott Speedman’s Ben stood up Keri Russell’s Felicity in Bryant Park? It left a mark on her, influencing her decision to host the premiere in the same spot. Talk about full circle! 🤯
Han is no stranger to the fervent excitement surrounding her work. Even a trip to the dentist can turn into a mini fan event! “I went to the dentist, and everyone was buzzing about the show,” she shared with a laugh. It’s clear that The Summer I Turned Pretty has become a cultural phenomenon, and the fans are living for it!
Character drama and love triangles
As the series resumes, we find Belly Conklin (Lola Tung) navigating her junior year at Finch College alongside her boyfriend, Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). But, of course, there’s a twist—Belly’s ex, Conrad (Christopher Briney), is now a med student at Stanford. The tension is real! 😬 Who else is feeling the love triangle vibes? The question of who Belly should end up with has stirred up such strong opinions that the official social media account had to remind fans to keep it kind. “Cousins is our safe place,” they posted, encouraging everyone to keep the conversation friendly.
Briney shared how he’s learned to handle the heated fan reactions. “We live our lives like nothing’s different,” he said. “But I’m happy people are watching!” It seems the emotional stakes are just as high for him as they are for the characters. With Conrad’s journey through therapy and a fresh start on the West Coast, fans are hoping for a more mature version of him this season.
Engagement drama and relationship lessons
Plot twist: Jeremiah’s character arc takes a surprising turn when he asks Belly for forgiveness and then proposes. Can you believe it? 😱 Tung, who plays Belly, shared her thoughts on the whirlwind engagement, emphasizing that Jeremiah still has to earn her trust back after his earlier mistakes. “He’s got to show up for her in every way possible,” she said. And honestly, who can blame her for being cautious after everything that’s happened?
As the drama unfolds, the characters grapple with their pasts and the complexity of their relationships. Fans are quick to draw comparisons to iconic TV couples, like Ross and Rachel from Friends. Han herself noted, “The fact that it’s a debate shows it’s not cut-and-dry.” It’s refreshing to see how invested everyone is in these characters and their journeys!
Tung and Casalegno both emphasized the importance of communication in relationships. “The less you worry about yourself and more about the other, the smoother it’ll go,” Casalegno advised, sharing wisdom that transcends the fictional world. It’s a reminder that love, both on-screen and off, requires work and understanding.
As fans eagerly speculate on the future of Belly’s love life, it’s clear that The Summer I Turned Pretty is more than just a story about romance; it’s about growth and navigating the messy, beautiful journey of young adulthood. What do you think? Is Belly making the right choice with Jeremiah, or does Conrad have her heart? Let’s chat! 💬✨