The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 10: A Battlefield of Brotherly Betrayal as Conrad and Jeremiah’s Rivalry Explodes, Leaving Belly Torn
In the penultimate episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, titled “Last Year,” the sun-soaked beaches of Cousins Beach feel like a distant memory as the series plunges into emotional turmoil. Airing on September 10, 2025, Episode 10 transforms the narrative into a veritable battlefield, where the long-simmering feud between brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher finally detonates in a raw, heart-wrenching confrontation. Caught in the crossfire is Belly Conklin, whose life in Paris serves as both a sanctuary and a reminder of the unresolved love triangle that has defined the show since its debut. This explosive showdown not only heals old wounds but also propels the story toward a series finale in Episode 11, where fates hang in the balance amid whispers of surprise visits and second chances.
Adapted from Jenny Han’s beloved trilogy, The Summer I Turned Pretty has always thrived on the tension of young love and family secrets. Season 3, the final chapter, picks up after the chaotic events of the previous installment, where Belly called off her wedding to Jeremiah and fled to Paris for a fresh start. Episode 10 spans several months—from a melancholic Thanksgiving to a transformative summer—juxtaposing Belly’s burgeoning independence abroad with the brothers’ descent into personal chaos back home. The episode’s pacing masterfully builds to the brothers’ clash, making it feel like the inevitable storm after seasons of brewing resentment.
The episode opens on Thanksgiving, with Belly (Lola Tung) navigating the unfamiliar chill of Paris. Three months into her self-imposed exile, she’s juggling online classes from Finch University and two under-the-table jobs—a barista gig and waitressing at a local café. Sharing a cramped apartment with aloof French roommates, Belly battles homesickness, staring longingly at photos of Cousins Beach on her phone. Her FaceTime call with best friend Taylor (Rain Spencer) reveals the stark contrast: Taylor is hosting a lively Friendsgiving with Steven (Sean Kaufman) and a disheveled Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). Belly learns Jeremiah has been spiraling, hooking up with Taylor’s friends and even attempting to pursue one of them, all while avoiding any real grieving over their broken engagement.
Jeremiah’s downward trajectory is one of the episode’s most poignant subplots. Having dropped out of college and rejected a job offer at his father’s firm, Breaker, he’s been lying to everyone—claiming to live in a frat house while crashing on Steven’s couch. The facade crumbles during a heated family dinner when Adam (Tom Everett Scott), Jeremiah’s stern father, discovers the truth. In a tense argument, Adam cuts Jeremiah off financially, declaring it’s time for him to “grow up.” Steven and Taylor echo the sentiment, urging him to find a job. Reluctantly, Denise (Isabella Briggs Watson), Steven’s colleague and potential love interest, offers Jeremiah a temporary place to stay, highlighting his vulnerability. Later, in a vulnerable moment, Jeremiah confides in Denise that losing Belly hurt more than even the death of his mother, Susannah, underscoring the depth of his emotional wreckage.
Meanwhile, Conrad (Christopher Briney) emerges as the more introspective Fisher brother. Ignoring Jeremiah’s radio silence on his Thanksgiving texts, Conrad reaches out to Laurel (Jackie Chung), Belly’s mother, seeking permission to visit the beach house for Christmas. With her encouragement—”Take the risk”—Conrad pens his first letter to Belly, vividly imagining her Parisian adventures and wishing her a merry holiday. This act of quiet persistence sets Conrad apart, portraying him as the thoughtful romantic amid the family’s fractures. Back in Cousins, Steven mends fences with Conrad, assuring him that not everyone harbors grudges, though Jeremiah’s resentment lingers like a shadow.
As Christmas Eve unfolds, Belly’s solitude in Paris deepens the emotional stakes. Closing up the bar alone, she texts Jeremiah a simple “Merry Christmas,” their first contact since the wedding fiasco, but receives no reply. Enter Benito (Fernando Cattori Walker), the charming local she met in Episode 9, who surprises her with an invitation to join him for drinks. What starts as a flirty night of darts and Vespa rides blossoms into something more when Taylor arrives for New Year’s Eve. Amid the celebrations, Belly receives Conrad’s care package: a massive bag of Sour Patch Kids, her favorite Junior Mint plushie adorned with the infinity necklace from their past, and another heartfelt letter. Rattled but resolute, Belly kisses Benito at midnight, signaling her intent to move forward. By spring, their relationship solidifies; Belly secures a dreamy new apartment and enrolls in a one-year psychology program at the Sorbonne, extending her stay despite the pull of home. A poignant flashback to Susannah (Kyra Sedgwick) urging Belly to “see the world” reinforces her growth, though she forgets the painful anniversary of Susannah’s death.
The episode’s core—the “battlefield” showdown—unfolds on that very anniversary, five years after Susannah’s passing. Conrad and Jeremiah converge at her grave in Cousins, the sacred site amplifying the gravity of their words. What begins as a tentative truce erupts into a blistering exchange of accusations. Conrad apologizes for sabotaging Jeremiah’s wedding to Belly, admitting his interference stemmed from a promise to Susannah to protect his brother. Jeremiah fires back, revealing he cheated on Belly during a trip to Cabo, triggered by learning of Conrad and Belly’s intimate Christmas encounter the previous year. “You always had to one-up me,” Jeremiah seethes, unpacking years of sibling rivalry masked as brotherly love.
In a raw twist, both confess to failing Susannah’s dying wishes: Conrad to shield Jeremiah from heartbreak, and Jeremiah to never let anything fracture their bond. The air crackles with betrayal, but catharsis follows. Jeremiah, in a moment of stunning maturity, acknowledges the unbeatable connection between Conrad and Belly. “I never could compete with what you two had,” he admits, granting Conrad his blessing to pursue her. “Do what you have to do. Don’t expect me to be okay with it, but don’t f*cking waste it either.” They embrace, tears flowing, as the brothers finally prioritize healing over competition. This explosion, with Belly symbolically in the middle through their shared history, marks a turning point, dissolving the “brother war” that has poisoned the series.
Belly’s role in this melee is indirect yet pivotal; her absence amplifies the brothers’ reflections, and her own arc mirrors their turmoil. While dating Benito and embracing Parisian life—complete with a stylish new haircut for her birthday weekend—Belly has been quietly collecting Conrad’s letters. In a quiet denouement, she writes back, thanking him for the gifts, sharing her new address, and signing off with “I hope you’re well.” Unbeknownst to her, Conrad, fresh from reconciliation, reroutes a work trip from Brussels to Paris for just $473, determined to surprise her. Agnes, his colleague, teases the proximity, while Laurel’s voiceover echoes: “Go after what you want.”
Side plots enrich the tapestry: Steven quits Breaker after Adam uncovers his startup with Denise, asserting his independence. Taylor’s visit to Paris injects levity, but hints at her own evolving dynamics. Fan reactions on X (formerly Twitter) exploded post-airing, with users praising the “gut-wrenching grave scene” and speculating on Conrad’s arrival. One post from @floralslola shared behind-the-scenes photos of Tung, Spencer, and Cattori, garnering thousands of likes, while @EW’s recap thread buzzed with debates over Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah.
Episode 10 masterfully sets the stage for the finale in Episode 11, teasing a high-stakes reunion. Will Conrad’s bold move disrupt Belly’s new romance with Benito, who jokingly vows not to propose during a family trip to Mexico? Or will Belly’s letter signal openness to rekindling old flames? The brotherly reconciliation frees Conrad to act, but Jeremiah’s lingering pain—and his budding connection with Denise—suggests ripples ahead. As The Summer I Turned Pretty hurtles toward its conclusion, this battlefield episode reminds us that love, like summer, is fleeting but unforgettable.
