When you think of The Summer I Turned Pretty, the first thing that comes to mind is probably Belly’s messy, romantic love triangle but here’s a different take: Season 3 feels like it’s quietly telling a completely different story. Beneath the beachside drama, one character’s quiet evolution has started to steal the spotlight and it’s not who you might expect.
The more I watch, the more I’m convinced he’s not just the brooding side of Belly’s romance drama, but the season’s true emotional core.
Even back in season 1, the writers planted seeds for this arc. We saw early signs of Conrad’s struggles with panic attacks, hinting that there was more to him than the aloof older brother persona. Those moments now feel intentional, paving the way for season 3’s deeper dive into his emotional world. This time around, we see him going to therapy, confronting his feelings head-on, and starting to work through the weight he’s carried for years.
Recent episodes make this shift even more obvious. We’ve been given scenes from Conrad’s own point of view a clear signal the show wants us to see things through his eyes. In a standout moment from yesterday’s episode, Conrad meets Laurel at a diner. Yes, part of the conversation is about persuading her to attend the bridal shower and wedding, but it also feels like a quiet request for guidance. The exchange is layered with vulnerability, suggesting Conrad is looking for more than logistical help; he’s seeking emotional clarity.
We’re also reminded of his long-standing role in the family dynamic. A flashback this season shows his mother urging him to protect Jeremiah, placing a heavy responsibility on his shoulders from an early age. It’s a detail that reframes much of his behaviour the guardedness, the moodiness, the protectiveness as survival mechanisms rather than flaws.
Sure, Belly’s love triangle will always be the flashy centerpiece of the series but Conrad’s gradual transformation from a boy silently carrying the world’s weight to a young man actively learning how to heal is what gives season 3 its emotional depth.
So maybe the real twist this season isn’t who Belly ends up with, but who the story has quietly been about all along. And if Conrad’s journey continues the way it’s going, he might just leave summer and the audience forever changed.