‘The Summer I Turned Pretty' Season 3 Episode 5 Recap: Conrad's POV Changes Everything

Forbes

2 days ago

Spoilers ahead for The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 5.
It's finally time we get to hear Conrad's point of view. In The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 5, Conrad takes over narration from Belly, giving us insight into his thoughts on his ex-girlfriend and his brother's upcoming wedding. Read on for a breakdown of the over one-hour episode that has everyone talking (including that peach scene!).
The fifth episode picks up one week after Belly's birthday weekend, which ended with Conrad agreeing to be Jeremiah's best man. Belly is staying in Cousins after a fight with her mom, and Conrad is also there; he extended his trip after overhearing Belly cry in her room. Conrad reveals that even a week later, he's still replaying the moment Belly hugged him for baking her Dirt Bombs and agreeing to be in the wedding.
While he's fixing the roof — and getting distracted by Belly swimming — he gets a call from his father, who wants his thoughts on the Jere-Belly wedding. He tells his dad that it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, and that ultimately, it's Belly and Jeremiah's decision.
'I just have to stay away from her until the wedding,' Conrad convinces himself after the call. "And then she'll be my brother's wife and I won't think of her that way again."
Taylor runs into Steven outside the office after she agrees to take Jeremiah to Cousins for a weekend of wedding planning. Unfortunately, Taylor's plans to go to Cousins get thrown out the window after her mom's salon inspection was moved up, meaning that it will just be Belly, Jeremiah and Conrad together for the Fourth of July.
Belly and Conrad run into each other in the kitchen, where Belly is eating a Pop-Tart. Conrad says she can eat the food he left out for her, but she replies that she doesn't want to eat his food without asking. She adds that she hasn't really seen him, so she hasn't had the chance. Belly then brings up California again, saying it's unfortunate he has to go back to work before the wedding. Conrad is still lying to her and his family about what happened at the summer clinic.
What's Going On Between Steven And Denise?
At the office, Jeremiah hints to Steven that there's sexual tension between him and his co-worker Denise and implies that the reason Steven isn't interested is because he's still into Taylor. Jeremiah asks Steven why he hasn't asked Denise out yet as she returns to her desk. Before they leave for the weekend, Adam assigns them one last task: to check Slack. Jeremiah says he'll handle the extra work and tells Steven and Denise to leave. Plus, he wants to get on his dad's good side, and he'll just take the later train to Cousins.
Steven and Denise end up on the same Amtrak train to New York, where they bond over their love of gaming. Steven eventually opens up to her, admitting that he doesn't actually like his job and wants to do something more fulfilling, especially since he almost died two weeks ago. Denise, in turn, agrees that she hates her job and wants to do something more meaningful as well.
What Happens During Belly And Conrad's Wedding Errands?
Back in Cousins, Belly asks Conrad for a ride to take care of some wedding planning tasks. He hesitantly says he'll be quick with the car and be right back. As she walks over to her bike, we see a flashback of a young Conrad helping Belly with her bike as she falls behind. But back in the present, he realizes that it's "not his job" to help her anymore.
When he drives into town, he sees her struggling with her bags on the bike and offers her a ride. She accepts, and they stop at a flower shop. Belly tells the florist what she is looking for, explaining that it's for a beach party instead of a wedding, hoping to get a better price. After Conrad steps in and hints that it's for a wedding, the florist mistakenly assumes he's the groom (awkward!). The florist then reveals that they have a minimum spend of $5,000 for weddings, which is way out of their budget. Conrad tells Belly to just use his mom's hydrangeas.
Jeremiah calls Belly and tells her that he won't be able to make it to Cousins because he's working late. When she mentions an alternative idea for a cake (without his fancy mirror glaze), he insists on the $750 cake. She breaks down to Conrad, upset that she's stuck making all the decisions they can't afford — and that she's doing all of it alone. Conrad insists that they go to Michaels before the sale ends, not wanting to let Belly miss out. 'I'm so f*cked,' his narration says.
Then, in surprise change of heart, Jeremiah's dad tells him that he's proud of him, both at work and at home, and gives him and Belly his full support to move ahead with the wedding. He offers to pay for the entire wedding and wants to have it at the club instead of the house.
What Do Belly And Conrad Learn About Each Other?
While on their way to Michaels, Conrad asks Belly about the GRE prep book he saw, and she says she wants to be a sports psychologist. Conrad reveals that he's also going to therapy to help manage his panic attacks. They both notice new things about each other: Belly sees that Conrad is all grown up, now that he has his life in California and his career. Conrad notices that Belly's a better driver and that she wears heels now. "You don't miss a thing," she says.
On the way back from the store, Conrad finally opens up to Belly. He says that he didn't just take a break this summer, he got fired the day Steven got into his accident, because he couldn't focus. Belly says there's a world where getting fired is the best thing to ever happen to you. 'You are right where you're supposed to be,' she tells him, and that he doesn't have to be the hero all the time.
What Happens At The Peach Orchard Between Belly And Conrad?
Belly and Conrad stop at a peach orchard on their way back home from Michaels. Belly grabs one, but Conrad doesn't because he's allergic. Instead, he watches her as she eats the 'perfect peach.' He hands her another one, which is just as good as the first. He then takes his white shirt and wipes the peach juice from her face. They stare into each other's eyes, but Belly breaks away, saying she's going to grab a couple for Jere.
They cook dinner together and enjoy some wine with their meal, laughing about what happened earlier at the florist and Michaels. Conrad then has a flashback to four years ago, the last time he was at Belly's house before they broke up. He remembers that night was the last time they were together in an intimate way, and he wonders: What if he hadn't messed it up back then? But the moment is broken when Jeremiah comes home.
On the dock, Jeremiah tells Belly the good news: His dad wants to pay for the wedding, but he wants to do it at the club and invite some people from work, but that throws Belly off guard. Belly eventually agrees, and says that it's the kind of wedding that his mom would have wanted. Conrad sees them dancing on the dock, and he promises himself that he won't slip up again – especially because the promises 'you make on your mother's deathbed are absolute.'
What Was Conrad's Promise To His Mom?
Four years ago, Susannah told Conrad she wasn't scared to die because she knew he would be okay, and Jeremiah would be okay too, because he had Conrad as a big brother. When Conrad replied that he wasn't a great brother, Susannah objected, telling him that he had always looked out for Jeremiah and always would. He agreed, promising to always be there for his brother. In the present, he said he kept his word to his mom by leaving for California.
With the wedding approaching, will Conrad be able to keep his feelings at bay? Or will he have to break his promise to his mother and tell Belly how he truly feels?
Season 3, Episode 5 of The Summer I Turned Pretty premieres on Wednesday, August 13 at 3 a.m. ET/12 p.m. PT on Prime Video. Check out the full release schedule below.