‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3 Episode 3 review: “Last Supper”

The truth didn’t exactly set Belly and Jeremiah free on Prime Video’s The Summer I Turned Pretty. What did they expect? A grand celebration?! The news of their engagement on “Last Supper” was exactly what any parent and loved one would do. Emotions ran high, and the reactions ranged from speechless to all the words. Plus, let’s not forget that Belly is 20 years old and Jeremiah is 22! “Last Supper” was the trigger point for what would be Belly’s engagement chaos to come.

Best friends are back together.

With all the family drama, I’m happy that Taylor will be in Belly’s corner to support her. Understandably, Taylor was upset and worried for her best friend. Belly barely had any time to process the news of Jeremiah sleeping with someone else. Is she going to completely ignore what she heard on “Last Season”? Don’t get me wrong, the couple can work on their issues and rebuild trust, but Taylor (and everyone else) was right to question why they’re rushing into marriage after a huge fight. If I were Taylor, I’d see it as impulsive and messy, too.

Though, it’s a shame whenever Belly and Taylor are at odds. Between all the boy drama and parents, Belly and Taylor know how to be there for each other when they need support, like during the last Cousins Beach dating drama. Having them quickly find peace was the right call; they’ll need each other as Belly deals with the engagement and Taylor handles her mother’s finances. And going through their childhood wedding book was a cute touch. Taylor will be the perfect maid of honor for Belly, that remains unchanged regardless of whether Belly makes it down the aisle.

The family business.

Taylor’s issues seem to be mounting more on The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3. At this time, she and Steven aren’t going to work. If he’s not going to fight for her, there’s no point for her to hope for someone who won’t try. There is a fine line between a couple that works and one that doesn’t. Taylor and Steven could make it work, but truthfully, they may be too young and immature to figure out their issues. It’s best that they keep growing before finding their way back to each other.

Can we all agree that Lucinda should be so thankful she called Steven? Sure, she meddled in her daughter’s love life, but that meddling may have saved their lives. Why would she trust her business in the hands of her (ex-)boyfriend? The one thing about The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 that has shone so well is the strong comparison between Taylor and her mother; it’s almost like a foreshadowing for Taylor of what her life could be like. Her mother is so unserious and trusting when it comes to men – she puts too much power in the men in her life. Taylor should take this as a cautionary tale to put herself first, especially when it comes to not relying on Steven or waiting for him.

Love behind the silence.

The two side stories of “Last Supper” seemed like they were building toward something that didn’t come to be. At least, not an outcome for this week’s episode. Firstly, Laurel’s spontaneous hook-up with John felt like it would mean something more down the line. John reminiscing with the music in the car and Laurel liking that he was listening to it showed there are still some romantic sparks between them. Not simply sex sparks, but a lingering flirtation. Laurel pushed him away from coming to the memorial, but I have a feeling this won’t be the last we’ll see of them exploring their past.

Secondly, did Agnes finally get through to Conrad? He can’t move on if he isn’t fully willing to try. His going to the memorial was a huge success, but the true signs of growth will be if he gets over his feelings for Belly. Still, Conrad’s reunion with her was so awkward! While it’s obvious from “Last Christmas” that he loves her, he’s making it too known that he’s uncomfortable being around her and Jeremiah. His staying mostly silent throughout the dinner spoke louder than anything else he did. We can give him some credit for trying to be in the same space as them; at least he tried is what matters.

The truth revealed.

Now, onto the explosive revelation. Firstly, Conrad and Jeremiah’s dad is a massive jerk! Point, blank, and the period. Why is he always finding ways to tear his youngest son down? The dig about the school semester and his propping up Conrad was so pointed. Adam may think he’s parenting and being a good father, but he’s an unhappy man who has hurt his sons more than he realizes. Please, The Summer I Turned Pretty, make this man find no peace.

But from the reveal, Belly and Jeremiah were acting like whiny children. A surprise reveal at Susannah’s memorial dinner wasn’t the way to go; it caught everyone off guard because no one would realistically plan for this. As mentioned above, they’re 20 and 22 years old, and neither of them has even finished university. Yet, they’re thinking of marriage so soon after a breakup?!

Laurel had the right reaction and actually parented her child. If Belly wants to make adult choices, she’ll need to figure things out before making a lifelong commitment. We’ll see if she can talk some sense into Belly, but we all probably know what the answer will be. Brace yourselves, The Summer I Turned Pretty fans, we might be in store for some heated wedding drama.

Overall.

“Last Supper” felt more like a build-up chapter, one that the show needed to push the story further. We, as viewers, knew of the engagement, but the pacing needed to get everyone else there to hear the big news. While the climax delivered on the messy chaos we know and love, the rest of “Last Supper” felt like it was a slow climb to get there. Everyone was picking up the pieces from their actions during the season premiere while taking a pacing break in the process. It’s an essential chapter for the story, but the energy didn’t stay consistent throughout.

The Summer I Turned Pretty airs new episodes on Wednesdays on Prime Video.

Justin Carreiro

Justin is a fun-loving geek living in downtown Toronto, Canada. He’s an avid TV buff, movie fan, and gamer. He’s written for publications like Entertainment Weekly’s The Community, Virgin, TV Fanatic, FANDOM, The Young Folks, and his blog, City Boy Geekiness.