Every Wednesday became a watch party in every household, until American author Jenny Han dropped the last episode of the third season of her book-turned-series The Summer I Turned Pretty. The teenage drama, starring Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno in the lead roles, became a worldwide obsession of multiple generations. Don’t tell the Gen Z kid but her mom was probably watching the same show and dropping comments about being Team Conrad.
Every single TSITP fan would love to go to the summer house in Cousins to have the time of their life. But, the most interesting fact about the frenzy is that even younger adults and people who fall under the Gen X bracket, have been binge-watching The Summer I Turned Pretty. They are also keenly following the Team Conrad Vs Team Jeremiah, the popular social media debate around the two Fisher brothers.
Love triangle nostalgia ft. Twilight
On one of Belly Conklin’s annual summer visit at Cousins Beach, she navigates a love triangle with her childhood friends Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, amidst their mother Susannah’s battle with cancer. The show continues till the third season after their mom’s death, when Belly eventually has a complex relationship with both the brothers. The Summer I Turned Pretty ending was a good news for many fans as she ended up with Conrad, her first love.
A still from The Summer I Turned Pretty
Sounds a bit familiar, doesn’t it? Well, one of the reasons why millennials much be finding in interesting is the nostalgic effect of Twilight. Bella had to choose between Edward and Jacob, while she actually loved both of them. Similarly, Belly, in TSITP, was in love with both her best friends Conrad or Jeremiah Fisher. But, she chose Conrad, the elder brother who captured her heart since their childhood.
If you are into romantic dramas, such a plot can surely keep you engaged. The trio has a strong fan base, which has only grown to be more intense in the past few years. People who weren’t following the show even experienced FOMO with the whole ‘Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah’ debate all over social media, as it became a shared ritual for all the fans.
Butterflies in the stomach
Do you remember falling for someone (which apparently felt like love), the feeling of butterflies in the stomach during your teenage? Well, that’s the kind of jitters this show gives you. The feeling of first loves and being 16 again! And, why won’t a 30-year-old go back in time to live that feeling through Belly again? The Summer I Turned Pretty has truly resonated in a way only some shows do in the streaming era.
A still from The Summer I Turned Pretty
Dreamy aesthetics
A beautiful summer house, beaches, pool parties, there’s not even a single aesthetic that was missing from the show. Attractive and dreamy elements that one can fantasise about is something worth binge-watching. The golden lighting, picturesque coastal scenery, and perfect prom nights made the series more visually appealing. Adult life has complexity – bills, work pressure, family problems, and more. Such a series gives them a break from their own messy and complex lives. A breather from not being a grown-up for a moment and just enjoying a love triangle in a make-believe world.
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Taylor Swift’s music
It is an undeniable fact that the music of The Summer I Turned Pretty created a nostalgic and aspirational feeling. Taylor Swift’s background score (Lover, The Way I Loved You, This Love) in almost every moment was the cherry on top. Well, at least all the Swifties in the house can relate, right? It gave a beautiful romantic and nostalgic tone to significant scenes. Jenny Han even wrote a letter to Swift to request use of ‘The Way I Loved You (Taylor’s Version)’ for an iconic sequence. The pop sensation’s songs set an overall mood and enhanced the entire experience of watching the show, which is not limited to ‘teen’ age.
A still from The Summer I Turned Pretty
Relatable themes beyond age
The Summer I Turned Pretty is not just about teenage love, it expands beyond – from grief, professional challenges, friendship, and much more. The ‘no limitation’ of this drama is what it makes the most popular web show currently, that even a movie has been announced as a part of franchise expansion. The series has relatable themes beyond age, making it an obsession for every generation!
