Episode 9 of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 drops directly after the airport standoff—Belly almost on her Paris-bound flight when Conrad unexpectedly appears at her gate. Emotions crack wider than ever.
👉 Witness the reunion everyone’s been craving.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 9: A Heart-Wrenching Reunion at the Airport
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 9, premiered on September 3, 2025, on Prime Video, picking up right where the jaw-dropping cliffhanger of Episode 8 left fans breathless. The emotional stakes have never been higher as Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) stands at the cusp of a new chapter in Paris, only to be confronted by the unexpected presence of Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) at Charles de Gaulle Airport. This reunion, set against the haunting strains of Taylor Swift’s Cardigan, delivers the emotional payoff fans have been craving while opening new questions about Belly’s future and her tangled heart. This 1,000-word article dives into the episode’s pivotal moments, character arcs, and the seismic shifts in the love triangle that have defined the series, drawing on fan reactions and narrative analysis.
The Airport Standoff: A Moment of Destiny
Episode 8, titled “Last Kiss,” ended with a gut-punch: Belly, reeling from the collapse of her engagement to Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno), books a ticket to Paris to pursue her study-abroad dreams. As she approaches her gate, she spots Conrad, unaware of her presence, waiting for a flight to Boston. The moment, underscored by Cardigan’s lyric “I knew you’d come back to me,” is a series original, deviating from Jenny Han’s novel We’ll Always Have Summer, where Belly’s post-breakup journey takes her to Spain. This change amplifies the drama, placing Belly and Conrad in a serendipitous, heart-stopping encounter.
Episode 9 opens with Belly frozen at the gate, her eyes locked on Conrad. The camera lingers on her expression—shock, longing, and fear colliding. Unlike some fan predictions on Reddit, where users speculated she might board the plane without speaking to him, the showrunners opt for confrontation. Belly takes a tentative step forward, and Conrad, sensing someone watching, turns. Their eyes meet, and the crowded airport fades into the background, a testament to the intimacy Lola Tung and Christopher Briney bring to their roles. The scene is “cinema,” as one fan tweeted, capturing “the intimacy of eye contact in a crowded room.”
The Conversation That Changes Everything
The reunion isn’t a fairy-tale reconciliation. Instead, it’s raw and messy, reflecting the show’s strength in portraying the complexities of young love. Conrad, still reeling from his confession in Episode 8 that he’ll “never stop loving” Belly, is caught off guard. He’s at the airport en route to Boston, possibly to start anew after the wedding fallout. Belly, meanwhile, is grappling with her decision to choose herself over either brother. Their conversation is halting, filled with unspoken regrets. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” Conrad says, his voice breaking. Belly, clutching her boarding pass, admits, “I didn’t expect to be here either.”
The dialogue delves into their shared history—Christmas, the bathtub scene, Michele’s—moments Conrad referenced in Episode 8 to remind Belly of their connection. Yet, Belly’s resolve to prioritize herself shines through. She tells Conrad about her Paris plans, her voice steady despite her trembling hands. “I need to figure out who I am without you or Jeremiah,” she says, echoing fan sentiments that Belly’s codependency has defined her for too long. Conrad, visibly pained, nods, respecting her choice but unable to hide his longing. The scene ends with Belly boarding her flight, leaving Conrad behind, though not before he slips her a note—a callback to the letters from the book, hinting at future communication.
Jeremiah’s New Path and the Love Triangle’s Evolution
While the airport reunion dominates, Episode 9 also explores Jeremiah’s arc post-engagement. After the devastating revelations in Episode 8—his knowledge of the Christmas secret and Belly’s lingering feelings for Conrad—Jeremiah is adrift. The episode shows him throwing himself into work at his father’s firm, a decision foreshadowed in earlier episodes. Gavin Casalegno’s performance captures Jeremiah’s heartbreak and determination to move forward, though fans have criticized his character’s shift from the “sweet, selfless” brother to someone consumed by neediness. A poignant scene shows Jeremiah reflecting on Susannah’s letter, which revealed her wish for Belly to end up with Conrad, adding layers to his sense of betrayal.
The love triangle, a cornerstone of the series, feels less central in this episode. Belly’s choice to go to Paris signals a shift from choosing between brothers to choosing herself. This aligns with the show’s coming-of-age themes, emphasizing self-discovery over romance. However, the airport scene ensures Conrad remains a lingering presence in her heart, setting up potential reconciliation in the final episodes. Fans on X are divided, with some rooting for “Bonrad” (Belly and Conrad) and others hoping Belly remains independent.
Supporting Characters: Taylor and Steven’s Spark
Episode 9 also advances the subplot involving Taylor (Rain Spencer) and Steven (Sean Kaufman). After Steven’s revelation in Episode 8 that his relationship with Denise is strictly professional, Taylor’s joy is palpable. Their flirtatious banter in this episode, set against a backdrop of packing for college, hints at a budding romance. While not as emotionally charged as the main plot, these moments provide levity and satisfy fans who’ve shipped “Staylor” since Season 1. The showrunners balance these lighter scenes with Belly’s heavier emotional journey, maintaining the series’ multigenerational appeal.
Taylor Swift’s Emotional Soundtrack
Music, particularly Taylor Swift’s, remains a narrative force. Cardigan’s inclusion in the airport scene isn’t just a nod to fans but a thematic anchor. The song’s themes of memory-soaked love mirror Belly and Conrad’s paused-but-not-erased story. Other Swift tracks, like You’re Losing Me and False God, have mapped Belly’s emotional shifts throughout the season, and Episode 9 continues this tradition with subtle needle drops that enhance the mood. The soundtrack, paired with the stunning Paris setting, elevates the episode’s emotional resonance.
Deviations from the Book and Fan Reactions
Unlike the novel, where Belly’s post-breakup journey involves Spain and Conrad’s letters, the show’s Paris arc is a bold departure. This change has sparked debate. Some fans praise the fresh direction, with one X post calling the airport scene “a masterclass in tension.” Others, loyal to the books, feel the deviation risks diluting the original resolution. The showrunners, Jenny Han and Sarah Kucserka, seem intent on crafting a unique path while honoring the trilogy’s emotional core, setting up a potential return to the book’s wedding payoff in Episode 11.
Looking Ahead: Paris and Beyond
With three episodes left, Episode 9 sets the stage for Belly’s Parisian adventure. Will she find clarity as a writer, as hinted in earlier episodes? Will Conrad’s note lead to letters that bridge their distance, as in the book? The episode ends with Belly gazing out her plane window, a mix of hope and uncertainty in her eyes. For Conrad, the path is less clear—will he follow her to Paris, as some fans speculate, or let her go? Jeremiah’s focus on work suggests he’s stepping out of the triangle, but his arc remains open-ended.
Conclusion
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 9 delivers the reunion fans craved while pushing Belly toward self-discovery. The airport scene, a departure from the books, is a triumph of emotional storytelling, bolstered by stellar performances and a poignant soundtrack. As Belly boards her flight, the episode leaves viewers eager for the final chapters of this coming-of-age saga. With Paris as the new backdrop, the series continues to balance romance, heartbreak, and growth, ensuring its place as a pop culture juggernaut. Tune in to Prime Video on September 10, 2025, for Episode 10 to see where Belly’s journey leads next.
