After two seasons of semi-cringe-worthy plotlines and abysmal teenage choices, the third season of The Summer I Turned Pretty has not only created a divided fandom of ‘Team Jerimiah’ or ‘Team Conrad’, but has enticed its multitude of viewers to condone an unsettling relationship. 

While this book-turned-movie has captured my attention every Wednesday evening for the entirety of this summer and beyond, the third season has made me – and many viewers – consider why we submit to a plotline muddled with choreographed dancing, sibling hopping and subpar scripts. 

A glass – or two – of wine could not save the satirical nature of this season, and while most are fleeing to social media after every dropped episode, the newly released episodes fill me with an indescribable sense of rage. 

Isabelle ‘Belly’ Conklin, played by Lola Tung, spends the majority of the first seven episodes crying or whining, and while this is partially an exaggeration, it played to a negative tone in the season’s plotline. 

Considering she is conquering a complicated relationship with boyfriend Jerimiah Fisher, played by Gavin Casalegno, her whining is understandable yet adds a gripey tone to the season. 

There are moments of happiness between the pair; however, one can’t discount the plethora of chemistry with former boyfriend Conrad Fisher, played by Christopher Briney. 

Although Belly and Conrad seemingly ruined their chances of rekindling any type of romance in season two, I can’t help but root for the underdog, especially after watching the cast dance in episode seven. 

The plotline of this season has truly taken a beating, and while some aspects of this season make it very enticing to continue watching, I find myself struggling to get through each episode. 

Possibly, this season is supposed to make the viewer uncomfortable, due to the main character’s visible mental turmoil that’s been made clear throughout each episode. 

I would strongly consider that as an actual possibility if I didn’t believe that this teenage rom-com was written by a grown woman. 

As a young adult, given that I was in Belly’s predicament, I would simply have made different choices during my Cousins’ summers, but instead, we’re watching Belly chart the territory of making a poor decision and gauging whether or not it’s something she should do. 

While I gape and growl over the plotline, tone and decisions made in this season, I found the emphasis on Steven, played by Sean Kaufman, and Taylor, played by Rain Spencer, to add a fan girl element to the season. 

Honestly, I’ve grown tired of the Belly plotline and who she may or may not choose, but one fact remains pretty constant: Taylor and Steven’s relationship dynamic is cinematic excellence. 

Although the pair can’t ever seem to make it work, they’re always each other’s biggest supporters, and while being friends isn’t a skill they’re gifted in, it adds a very wholesome element to the season. 

Contrary to popular opinion, I found Laurel’s role in this season to be interestingly downplayed. The TV mom adds a “realistic and adult” opinion to this season, and while some may disagree with her parenting style in this season, it was violently needed. 

Visually, this season still harnesses the beauty of the coastal allure and very tastefully still incorporates the deceased Susannah cameos. 

Despite its flaws, The Summer I Turned Pretty Season three continues to captivate audiences, not because of flawless storytelling, but because of its messy, frustrating, and often painfully relatable depiction of young love. 

While Belly’s choices leave much to be desired and the writing falters under the weight of melodrama, the series manages to maintain its cultural grip – sparking endless debates, TikTok edits and team allegiances that – arguably – fuel its popularity.

Perhaps that’s the true genius of the show: it keeps us invested enough to care, even when we claim we’re over it. 

Love it or hate it, we’ll still be watching, wine glass in hand, waiting to see just how much more chaos Cousins Beach can deliver. 

The third season of The Summer I Turned Pretty is only available on Prime Video, with new episodes that drop every Wednesday.