‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3 Episode 5 review: “Last Dance”

For all the Conrad fans, from the champions to the lovers, The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 5 was a gift for you. “Last Dance” is essential to get inside the head of the brooding and conflicted Fisher brother. While Conrad’s behavior has been questionable (and still not justified), his inner monologue sheds plenty of new light onto his feelings and why he made certain moves. “Last Dance” is a new side to one of Prime Video’s messiest love triangles, one that The Summer I Turned Pretty became stronger for.

In Conrad’s mind.

Character-centric episodes like “Last Dance” have a strong quality that makes them a fascinating chapter to watch. Specifically, how the world is viewed through that character’s mindset. In any of Conrad’s scenes and flashbacks, we as viewers were treated to how he viewed the situation, how he felt, and what he thought. For a quiet and pained character like Conrad, this move felt like a breath of fresh air. No more questions or uncertainties – this was pure Conrad in all his heartbroken messiness.

And one of the clear things to come out of his monologue: Conrad is still deeply in love with Belly. He can’t deny it anymore, and he’s just as at fault for his continued torture. Every time he knew better to not “save” Belly, he ignored his gut and went right into it. Every time he felt a spark, he let himself go for it. Regardless of trying to take himself out of the situation, he’s chosen to bring himself back in time and time again. It’s a complicated thing because we can both feel sympathy for him that he’s not with his love, but also acknowledge that he’s not innocent.

Playing with romantic fire.

Though, we can’t deny the electric chemistry between Conrad and Belly. When they’re on the same page, there’s a lighthearted ease that sweeps over the scene. Lots of laughs, smiles, and a connection that brings them together. They fit together in their most uncomplicated and subtle state. But it’s the slow-motion light that emerges from Belly whenever we see her through Conrad’s POV that sets the scene. This editing style was the perfect way to show both how Conrad viewed Belly and how much he felt about her. Conrad sees Belly as a glowing light in his world of darkness.

In Conrad’s story, his romantic feelings for Belly have worked for and against him. “Last Dance” showed how Conrad became stuck in a grey limbo on The Summer I Turned Pretty. Even into Season 3, he can’t quite figure out how to balance being Belly’s friend with their past romantic history. Like, he can absolutely help Belly in situations during her wedding planning. He made a big difference with her budget planning, and his being a good friend got her to use her Michael’s coupons. None of that crosses the line of where they can be and where they can get to if he truly wants to move on.

However, it’s the other parts where he played with fire. The peach stand was so sultry and romance-coded; it’s like something out of a rom-com on Prime Video or Hallmark. What was he thinking when he rubbed his shirt over Belly’s mouth?! Did all you Belly and Conrad shippers thrive in the passion? That slow-motion pull of his t-shirt to wipe her mouth might’ve been the most out-of-pocket thing he has done yet. He knew exactly what he was doing, and his inner monologue confirmed as such that he made a move. That clearly went against his “promise” to Susannah to protect Jeremiah. Conrad, you’re a messy man.

Wedding troubles are ringing.

Speaking of the wedding planning, you can’t help but feel bad for Belly. I loved her conversation in the car with Conrad because it was an emotionally vulnerable moment where she addressed her true feelings about the situation. She loves Jeremiah immensely, but she’s starting to realize the adult reality of planning a wedding with no budget and no family support. Weddings are a huge undertaking that can still cost a lot of money, even if it’s small and not an elopement. The romantic dream that she and Jeremiah had of having a quick summer wedding is unraveling due to reality. Plus, this move proves our previous review (and Laurel’s argument) that they’re both too young to make this decision now.

I wish Jeremiah took Belly’s concerns more seriously and urgently. As mentioned, weddings take a lot of planning, even for backyard weddings on a budget; he should’ve prioritized getting to her on time and making sure they redeemed the coupons. Belly can’t be the only one dealing with the brunt of planning and the emotional weight of the decision. Conrad helping her ideate and find solutions was a great support in her time of need; she needed someone to be there for her.

Bad first steps.

Jeremiah and Belly’s wedding changes brought back memories of a memorable voice over from the 2009 wedding film, Bride Wars. In that voice over, the wedding planner mentions that engagements/wedding planning can help strengthen couples through event decisions, but it can also tear them apart. I felt this tone strongly by the end of “Last Dance” as Jeremiah and Belly’s boundaries and compromises could be what tears them apart.

Firstly, there was the questionable debate over the cake. If you were them, would you have given up the cake or fought for it? Their budget didn’t work well to buy Jeremiah’s favorite cake from his favorite bakery, and Conrad came up with an alternative that would fit within the budget. However, Belly and Jeremiah had already agreed beforehand to each have one non-negotiable reasonable thing for their wedding. While Jeremiah’s answer was thoughtless and spoiled, he also had a point that they agreed to this non-negotiable. It’s questionable that Belly wouldn’t say it’s a must for Conrad.

And secondly, Jeremiah didn’t respect Belly’s decision to keep the wedding at the cottage. Sure, he won his dad’s approval by catching the work mistake, and he’s paying off the wedding, but he should’ve put his future wife first. Adam could’ve kept pushing the country club on them, but the decision to change venues needed to be one made between Jeremiah and Belly. Jeremiah agreeing to it was a huge red flag, one that Belly shouldn’t ignore as they continue to plan. Belly needs to feel like an equal in this marriage and this wedding.

On the Love Train.

Elsewhere on “Last Dance,” Denise and Steven’s chemistry has grown so much more. Does anyone else think they’re a good fit? While they might be in competition mode at work, there’s an unspoken easiness between them. An understanding that they have, which proves that they fit together. I loved their scenes on the train to New York because it took them out of the work setting and had them as their truest selves. They were able to see each other as people with real thoughts and goals.

Steven will most likely find an opportunity to work in the gaming space and sell his game. Maybe he and Denise will go into business together after their time at the convention? This potential story line could be a great way to expand their romance while also growing Steven as a character. His vulnerable confession about his life after the car crash was an eye-opening look into his feelings; he’s valuing every minute he has in life now. “Last Dance” could be the start of something new and more meaningful for him.

Overall.

“Last Dance” was an emotionally rich and telling chapter for The Summer I Turned Pretty. Many of the characters pulled back their layers and opened up, sharing their vulnerable thoughts that were kept hidden for many episodes. We got a stronger peek inside Conrad’s mind, exposing how he still felt about Belly and his messy decisions. And the brewing troubles and chemistry between the couples will keep us fed for future episodes. “Last Dance” was a strong episode that shouldn’t be missed for longtime fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty.

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

Images courtesy of Prime Video