Well d***. I didn’t expect to cry so hard at the sight of Laurel, but here we are and it’s all I can think about. Seeing the look on Belly’s face as she sees her Mom at her wedding shower – I have to start with that. Even though I have read the books and seen every episode of the show 2-3 times, I don’t know why seeing Laurel felt like something I didn’t expect.
But it was also this moment of clarity. This moment that part of the greatness of The Summer I Turned Pretty is that regardless of the book or the show and how many times I have read or seen it, every single time feels brand new. It’s rare that you find something that affects you; changes you that much.
The Summer I Turned Pretty has been my favorite series for a long time and every Wednesday I am reminded why. I am reminded that there is this feeling that the show gives you. It reaches in and grabs your soul and holds on. It teaches you about love and heart and honesty. It reminds you of the beauty of loyalty and comfort. But it’s also – this series was my first book love.
And here we are – episode six and well, everything is starting to change. Doubt, pain, love, comfort, and indecision have set in. Characters are changing and that is the one thing I am not surprised over.
IT IS HARD BEING AN ADULT
Belly staying at Adam’s apartment with Jeremiah is just so weird to me. I know they are getting married and they want to spend the time together, but hey – it’s just weird.
Adam is a character that I could never get behind. He’s just mean and dismissive to his kids. But Belly being there for two weeks is too much for him and he passively agressively points out that Belly needs to go back to Cousins.
But Jeremiah and Belly need to figure a lot out. Starting with a place to live. The thing about it is, the two are not on the same wave length. As the two try and start their adult responsibilities – such as getting a place to live, they can’t even handle finding an apartment.
Jeremiah is more worried about what his father thinks of him than anything. That is just sad. Really, really sad. His priorities are so far off, and he’s like a miniature Adam. Who wants that? I don’t even think that Belly wants that, but she’s starting to notice that Jeremiah is leaving her to handle things.
Conrad would never.
But I digress. Jeremiah is so worried about getting back to work when they are looking for an apartment. Once again – it’s about his Dad versus Belly. She shouldn’t have to fight Jeremiah to pay attention. She shouldn’t have to tell him what his morals should be.
She should have never, ever forgiven Jeremiah. He didn’t and doesn’t deserve that kindness.
A husband should put their wife first.
Belly may be ready for adulthood and marriage, but mark my words, Jeremiah is not ready for anything.
When Belly is going through the walk through of the club and she becomes overwhelmed I would have thought that Jeremiah would have been more supportive but there he was, only thinking of his Dad and himself.
I did love the line of him telling her to just look at him. That meant a lot – it was smooth. I just feel like he only knows to say nice things when he risks loosing Belly. He’s not consistent. He’s always selfish though. That’s his personality.
CONRAD SAVES THE DAY
When Conrad and Belly are in a room together, even as it’s awkward, it’s just some sort of perfection. There is this angst that comes across on the screen when they enter a room. But there is also the difference between Conrad and Jeremiah that comes across.
Conrad notices everything about Belly.
Jeremiah just notices his Dad and things about himself.
But Belly needs a balance of the both. Jeremiah is safe, he’s easy. Conrad isn’t because complication has been what these two go through. But love isn’t supposed to be easy. Love is a journey and it’s going to be hard and complicated but it is going to work if you put in the work.
When Belly is sad and destroyed over how the wedding planning is going, Conrad is the one that sees it without her having to say a word. He knows that ultimately what is wrong – what she needs – is her Mom.
The relationship between Conrad and Laurel – I think we all knew that it was going to come into play at some time. And it does – right here. When he knows that Belly is upset and isn’t eating he asks Laurel to meet.
Not many people have the courage to stand up to Laurel, but Conrad does. He can tell her anything and she can also see his pain. When he tells her that she needs to come around to the wedding – that she may regret it – I broke down in tears. Why? Because Conrad loves Belly so unconditionally that he’s not going to stop until he knows that she’s happy.
But at what point does he allow himself happiness? I’ve read online that so many people saying that Conrad is acting like a victim, but I don’t believe that he is. I think that his selflessness is something that many wouldn’t be able to execute. At a certain point pain and heartache can stop people in their tracks.
You will never be able to convince me that part of the pain and indecision that Belly is going through is because her soul knows that it is wrong. Marrying Jeramiah is wrong. It’s not her path – even if she wants it to be.
At a certain point, I think that people have to realize that Conrad Fisher is her path. He has been since they were kids.
THE SHOWER
Taylor is the bestie that we all need. Her wanting to be there for Belly, really resonates with me. Being the best friend that you can be, is a good thing. She wants to make sure that Belly has the best shower, but little does Belly know that the person that made it perfect is Conrad.
Why?
Because Laurel is there. She’s there for Belly and that’s all that Belly wanted. There is something about her seeing her Mom that makes everything okay. Laurel and Belly have had a close connection – their bond has been strong. I think that Laurel coming around is one of the greatest things on the show.
Because the bond between a mother and daughter is a great thing. It’s something that we all wish we would have. I know that Laurel thinks she is doing what is right and I can respect that. But there is something about when you need your Mom and she’s not there that is really hard to take.
I think that Belly and Laurel figuring it out is hope. We all need hope.
As the shower goes on, Belly seems to be getting more and more lost. She is starting to think that becoming a wife is a lot. Ummm.. what did you think was going to happen? Maybe it was thinking that her fiance would be there to help with everything.
And then Belly deciding to stay at home that night. Finding her way back to her Mom has been a struggle, but the Conklins need each other. Whatever Belly is about to go through with this wedding, she needs her Mom.
Just seeing them back together in the same house and talking was a moment that made me feel at peace. I know that Laurel may still not agree with the wedding, but she loves her daughter.
And she knows that she needs to be there for her and Jeremiah – Susannah would want that.
Who knows the future will bring? No one. But Laurel will be there to hold them all up, as they are falling apart. But when she finds out what Jeremiah did – is she going to want to be?
Or will she guide them through it all? Will she help them all be okay? I don’t know how any of this will ever be right. I’m waiting to find out. Right now I just need to know when Conrad and Steven are going to find out.
STEVEN MOVES… FORWARD
I am not sure what it is about Steven and Denise that I like and both hate at the same time. I feel like when we’re staring at the two of them it’s something different for Steven. It is a place where he knows that he’s going to be given a hard time, but that is okay.
Denise is loosening up a bit and she has found that Steven isn’t the person that she thought he was. Instead he is imaginative and wants to create. He’s got a mind that makes her think twice about acting like she hates him and instead finds herself wanting to be around him. Even going so far as to want to open a company with him.
That will be complicated.
It’s when Steven is at Belly’s shower and spending time with Taylor – you can tell he wants to be with her. Well you can until he acts like he just wants to be friends with her.
He doesn’t.
I don’t believe that he does.
I feel like there is this chance that he will be with Taylor eventually but I also think that it’s good that he finds a sense of confidence that he doesn’t have right now. Steven is an eternal man child and I am glad that he’s seeing that he isn’t just Belly’s brother.
Do I believe that Taylor and Steven can just be friends? Nope. But I do believe that in order to come together they have to fall apart.
I just worry if we’re going to be able to figure it out in the next few episodes.
THAT BATHROOM SCENE
It’s a scratch.
There are so many things that I could say about Conrad, but I think we all know where I stand on Conrad. He is meant to be with Belly, but he’s in his own way. He’s sticking to what he feels was a promise that he made to his Mom – to take care of Jeremiah – but at the expense of himself.
And I don’t think that Susannah would have wanted that at all. She wanted them both to be happy.
Belly and Conrad are doing their best to avoid each other but something keeps calling them into the same orbit. The two have this unspoken language – understanding. The air between them seem s electric.
When he hurts himself and tries to make it seem as though it’s not bad, even though it is. Belly goes to help him and lord, the way that these two were looking at each other – there were screams at the TV for them to just kiss and get together already.
Belly is remembering that she loves him, that he’s her home. She almost kisses him and if I ever saw an eye f*** this was the moment. Them sitting on the side of a bathtub – staring into each others eyes was one of the most angst filled and hot moments in the entire series.
What did you almost do Belly? Well that would be you almost followed you heart.
You should do that Belly. Let your heart lead the way.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Loved that Jelly ship name was in the book Belly was given at the shower
- Taylor is the bestie we all need.
- Taylors Mom rooting for her and Steven is the energy we all need from our parents
- I love the relationship between Taylor and her Mom
- Still think Jeremiah is a selfish manchild
- Loved Laurels gifts
The Summer I Turned Pretty is streaming now on Prime Video.
