‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3 Episode 6 review: “Last Name”

All is restored in the Conklin home. Well, at least by the end of “Last Name.” The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 6 reunited a relationship that has been sorely missed throughout Season 3. Prime Video’s scandalous teen drama isn’t the same without its heart – a big part of that comes from Belly’s relationship with her family.

Thankfully, we have Laurel and Belly back together, reuniting our lovable mother-daughter duo and restoring a missing piece. “Last Name” was a heartwarming episode for The Summer I Turned Pretty – one that pulled the layers back on the issues formed before and exposed new ones for our characters.

Here comes the bride.

Belly’s bridal shower didn’t feel like the dream day she wanted all along. Did anyone else feel like she seemed depressed and unhappy? Sure, she got her mom back after all their issues. And Laurel took Conrad’s advice to heart and showed up for her daughter, something Belly needed all along. However, it was in the subtle cues that flashed the biggest warning signs.

Like, when Belly got overwhelmed discussing being a wife and maybe changing her name. Did she never think about it being a possibility? It’s one of the simplest things that comes up first, especially when you’re basking in the romantic thrill of getting engaged. Belly doesn’t have to change her name, but the reality of her and Jeremiah being a married couple would be expected. The sobering truth is proving Laurel’s point without her realizing – Belly hasn’t taken full stock of what it means to get married and have a marriage. This wedding is a huge adult decision, something Belly might not be ready for.

Though the biggest red flag was Belly’s newfound uncertainty regarding Conrad and Jeremiah’s childhood dog. A simple forgotten memory shouldn’t send her into a tailspin, one where she debates how much she knows her fiancée. Belly got every other answer in the bridal shower game correct; that’s a huge feat even for the most stable couples who have known each other forever. Plus, Belly has known Jeremiah her entire life and has been in a relationship with him for 3-4 years. If she starts doubting “knowing him” now, it could just be an easy excuse for her to self-sabotage and get out of this wedding. “Last Name” planted the seeds for where her story line could go from here.

Playing with fire.

If we had to vote on it, we’d all say the biggest sign this wedding isn’t happening is the bathtub scene, right? Seriously, what are you doing, Belly?! Conrad nearly kissed her at the peach stand before, but this time, the near-miss was all Belly. The tension, the passion, and the longing – that was all Isabel Conklin. Once she started washing off the blood from the surfboarding accident, you just knew that something was brewing. The Summer I Turned Pretty loves creating subtle, tension-filled scenes with no words; it amps the drama, and it perfectly captures their unspoken longing.

Deep down, there is a part of her that loves the confusion, the longing to be with someone who has shown her signs that it’s not a healthy situation. She, like Conrad, hasn’t healed or gotten over the relationship. The more that the two of them spend at Cousins Beach together, the more those old feelings will reemerge. We’ll have to see if Belly brings this up with anyone, like Taylor, and how she feels after it.

Setting boundaries.

Speaking of Taylor, I don’t trust where she stands with Steven currently. Based on their year-long on-again, off-again affair, it doesn’t seem like she’ll quit so easily. And Lucinda, encouraging her to play mind games and still hold on, isn’t helping anyone. This pair needs to grow and move on for their future. I loved that Steven expressed his boundaries and what he wanted – it’s a good first step because it can help them clear their heads. Plus, if Steven truly just wants Taylor as a friend, he’s setting a line that they need to follow as adults.

Part of that growth will also help with his adult career. Do you think he and Denise will succeed at launching the game? Their romantic chemistry is still in play, and if Taylor tries to get involved, it could mess up their business plans by getting personal. At the bridal shower, Steven seemed wrapped up in his new flirtation with Denise, so that isn’t going away soon. However, the real trouble we’ll need to keep our eyes on is the work exclusivity clause. Adam seems exactly like the type of business professional who will squeeze every last dollar he can get if he thinks he’s owed money. Steven’s game might just be that smoking gun.

Picking favorites.

“Last Name” balanced the bridal shower story line with an awkward and uncomfortable day between the Fisher men. These scenes showed perfectly how fractured and imbalanced their relationship has become. Whereas Adam views Conrad as the perfect son, he’s dismissive of Jeremiah and ignores him consistently. You can’t help but feel bad for both brothers because their father is treating them terribly in different ways, not showing them the love they want or deserve. Even during a fitting for Jeremiah’s wedding, Adam can’t help but continue to praise Conrad; he’s too selfish in his ways.

Conrad spilling the truth to Adam about his job was the right call. Not only did Jeremiah need the support to shut Adam down, but Conrad needed to break through Adam’s unrealistic standards. He was never going to be his person if his father kept putting him on such a high pedestal. Plus, with Adam trying to integrate his affair partner into the family, this truth chipped away at that “perfect image” Adam most likely tried to paint. Conrad, while messy in other areas, made a good character decision here for himself and his life.

Overall.

“Last Name” was a strong character development episode for The Summer I Turned Pretty. The main group had pivotal moments that pushed their plots forward, having each of them question what had come before. Belly is continuing on her journey to face the reality of her decisions, but at least she’ll have her mom by her side. And Conrad finally came clean with his truths (well, only just one truth so far). “Last Name” is another stop along the way for what will be an eventful wedding in their lives.

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

Images courtesy of Prime Video