It is true that Belly and Jeremiah are way too young to be getting married, but I wasn’t expecting Steven to have such a big problem with the whole thing. Like, dang brother, calm down a little bit. I feel like the story is progressing a little bit slowly, and since this is the final season of The Summer I Turned Pretty, this one plotline is going to drag on for a bit (I really hope it doesn’t). I’m still team Jellyfish like Taylor, and I know Jeremiah’s been reckless and whatever, but he’s definitely got it in him to get his act together specifically for Belly. On the other hand, Laurel’s reaction was exactly as I imagined. Meanwhile, the drama with Taylor’s mom seems to just be an added plotline to get Taylor and Steven to work together and help Lucinda out, so I don’t know; it feels a bit forced, to me. I still think something’s going to happen between him and his colleague, but poor Taylor, ah! With that said, though, let’s jump into episode 3.
Spoiler Alert
Is John okay?
The Summer I Turned Pretty episode 3 starts with Jeremiah and Belly being all lovey-dovey. Of course, they’re all smiles and excitement at the moment because they’re getting married. I guess they already know the reaction is going to be terrible, but the worst is expected from Adam. Anyway, Belly has to rush to go see Taylor, who is still sulking about Steven, but before she leaves, Jere pulls out a ring unexpectedly, and she’s over the moon. When she’s with Taylor, they talk about Steven first, and Taylor says she won’t take him back even if he begs on his knees, but then she’s eager to know if he’s asked about her. He’s still recovering at home in bed, with Laur acting as if she’s just realized she’s his mom for the first time and can’t leave his side. It’s cute as heck, of course. Still, he’s trying to work and calling his colleague (Denise) and get work done, but he’s not allowed devices.
But back to Taylor and Belly, when Taylor asks her bestie about Jere, Belly can’t stop smiling and obviously has to drop the secret bomb. This is clearly not the right moment for this, because Taylor is going through it, so she takes out her irritation on Belly, saying it’s not a great idea. Anyway, John shows up because it’s time for Belly to move out since she’s going to Paris soon. Before leaving, Belly meets Anika and asks her if she’s judging her for getting back with Jere. Anika says she trusts Belly and is certain she knows what’s right for her. In the car, Belly is eager to tell her dad that she’s getting married and suddenly feels like a little girl again. I feel like John’s going to be really upset not knowing, and he might even support them, especially after how Laur reacts to him later on. Meanwhile, Conrad is considering doing some lab work because Agnes told him that he wasn’t ready for the job either. Guess he took it to heart, but she didn’t mean he should just give up on his dream. I’m a bit confused here. Sure, he wants to work with people, but I don’t think choosing to do whatever is available for the moment is a bad thing, is it? Tell me if I’m wrong?
At home, John tells Laurel that he won’t come to the dedication after she tells him that he shouldn’t take what happened during the conference as a permanent thing. She thinks they should spend some time apart, and John agrees (not actually). Later, John meets Steven to check on him and suggests that he could take a week off. Steven says his job is much more intense than working in the history department (a dig at John’s job). John definitely feels bad about this but just tells Steven he’ll try to get his laptop back from Laurel. John’s certainly feeling on the low side now.
What’s Happening With Taylor’s Mom?
Meanwhile, Taylor learns that her mom’s broken up with the man, Scott, whom she clearly didn’t like very much. Things seem to be falling in place at home finally. However, he was the one who was looking at Lucinda’s books and has basically left them in shambles. When Lucinda learned that Steven isn’t being nice to her daughter and not giving her the love she deserves, she tried to play Cupid but asked him to look at her books? Huh, a bit of a strange date idea. But, instead of spending nice quality time with Taylor, this leads to him telling Taylor that Lucinda has only until the end of the month to sort her things out. Taylor thanks him for the help but decides she’ll handle the rest herself. Taylor telling Steven that Lucinda shouldn’t have gone to him definitely hurt his ego, so let’s see where this leads. Maybe Cupid’s plan will end up working. Also, what does Taylor think she can do when she’s calling Steven a child at 22? Sigh
Is Agnes into Conrad?
Maybe? Because when she tells him to get exposure therapy, i.e., go to Cousins for the dedication, because he can’t be at the clinic anyway, he tells her she doesn’t understand how she feels. Yeah, she tells him she knows exactly how she feels, and (mayhaps) it’s about Conrad? Yes? No? But then they give off friend vibes too, so I guess if Conrad is endgame, then Agnes is just going to be a bestie for life? Yes, I’m confused.
How Does Laurel React to the Marriage Announcement?
At night, Belly and Laurel go down memory lane with some pictures, and Laurel specifically talks about how Beck would’ve been proud of the future Belly’s planning for herself. Yikes, Laur, you don’t know what she’s planning. On the day of the dedication, Belly dresses up in the most beautiful blue dress, which conveniently has a pocket for the ring Jere gave her (man, I’m just wondering how she wasn’t afraid of losing it in all the pockets!). Jeremiah’s dedication speech is very sweet, and everybody looks happy about it. Then Conrad shows up, and Adam makes it all weird by saying he’s happy to see his little sister when he says hi to Belly. On the drive to the restaurant, Jere’s still stuck on the fact that Adam’s going to react badly to the engagement, so Belly should be prepared, but I guess Belly was thinking about Conrad’s reaction.
At the restaurant, Steven and Conrad have a word, and Steven tells Conrad that VC isn’t his goal because he wants to make things. This is just his way there, but Adam isn’t letting him spread his wings. Conrad’s clearly contemplating what he’s doing, but Steven tells him, Thanks for saving his life, etc. At dinner, Belly looks a bit uncomfortable. It isn’t necessarily her kind of restaurant, but of course, Adam, Jere, and Conrad seem right at home. Adam also orders a seafood platter for the table after noticing that Belly didn’t order an entree. It’s embarrassing to her, and Jere holds her hand under the table. Adam and Laur decide to say something to each of their kids to let them know why they’re proud of them. Adam doesn’t let the lady talk even, ugh, but anyway, he’s a prick to Jere, so Belly can’t hold it in anymore.
At the end of episode 3, Belly says she and Jere have decided to get married in August. Adam asks Jere why he dragged Belly into whatever he’s done, and everyone wonders if she’s pregnant, which is obviously not the case. But nobody’s happy; not even Steven, and Conrad doesn’t even have anything to say. Laurel decides there’s no time for their meal and gets the check. Next thing you know, she’s taking Belly back with her. Also, she suggested they could’ve moved in together instead of choosing to get married, so I guess she’s projecting her mistakes on them? Anyway, guess this is going to be jail time for Belly, but I do hope she makes it to Paris. In the end, Conrad is left standing and watching her leave (sigh).
