From heated “Team Conrad” versus “Team Jeremiah” debates to frustration with Belly’s indecisiveness, Andover students have plenty to say about Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (TSITP). For some, the television show is pure drama-filled escapism; for others, it’s an unrealistic portrayal of teenage life. Loved, hated, or even hate-watched, TSITP has sparked strong reactions across campus, cementing its status as the show of the summer.
Eileen Zhu ’29
“There are some moments where I really would like to shove my head into a wall, but overall, it was a great show, and it is filled with lots and lots of drama. My team has always been Cameron from the moment he popped up, with his little cute dimples. He didn’t have very obvious problems. His problems mostly stemmed from his relationship with his mom or not being interested in whales anymore. They weren’t problems that affected his relationship with Belly. TSITP represents relationships terribly. Compare this to people at Andover, we’re busting our butts off to get into good colleges and to get good grades, we are doing everything to make sure that we ourselves grow as independent people. That is what I wanted TSITP to capture: the struggles of an actual teenager, not just relationships. I also think that the final episodes and ending are a joke. Literally a big fat joke. Why did Conrad go? I think the ending was really rushed. Everyone got with the most random people ever, for example, Jeremiah and Denise. The season three episodes are absolute trash, the ending too. Belly needed to choose the beach house and leave everybody alone.”
Nisreen Dohadwala ’27
“I started watching TSITP when it came out in 2022 because it was all the rave and I needed a new show to start. I’m 100 percent Team Conrad. His character went from someone who was very sensitive, unable to process, convey, and communicate his emotions, to someone very mature with his feelings, especially in the last season and finale episode. I have to admit, before Conrad developed, I liked Jeremiah more. He was more confident in himself, and that would’ve been better for Belly in a relationship. However, that all changed when Jeremiah cheated. I really loved that she decided to move to Paris after everything blew up just to focus on herself. It’s the best decision she made in the entire show. I feel like TSITP is a good representation of what a super complicated relationship is like. People expect the characters to be perfect and their choices to be rational, but in reality, that’s not possible because of other imminent factors like depression, anxiety, and self-sabotage that are all part of the human experience.”
Chloe Park ’27
“I’m uniquely on Team Denise because I love her characteristics and mentality. Her mindset and the way she approaches things are very similar to mine. When I first started watching, Team Denise didn’t exist, since it only came out in Season 3. As more characters were introduced, my favorites shifted. [Belly’s] decisions reflect what teenagers go through, figuring things out for themselves. Some people might have approached situations differently, but this is Belly’s journey, and she’s done a great job navigating it. I loved the final episodes, especially the one where Belly goes to Paris. The scenery was beautiful, but more importantly, she learned more about herself. As boarding students at a school like Andover, we can relate. Belly goes through this process without her mom’s help, and even though it’s a long journey, she handles it wisely. [This show has become popular] because many teenagers can relate to it. It touches the hearts of young people by reflecting experiences that feel real.”
Maxie Wu ’28
“I don’t think I’m on a specific team. Each person has their own faults, and I don’t know what’s best for them. I’ve never really chosen one of the brothers, also because neither of them are my type, so I’m not biased. Some people say she can’t choose between them, but they often forget she was committed to a four-year relationship with Jeremiah. She never cheated, and she was genuine with her feelings. Canceling the wedding was messy, but it’s part of her coming-of-age story. She’s figuring life out, and at heart, she’s a good person. The finale was amazing; very cinematic. The song choices and camera work were great. It wasn’t super unexpected, but it all fell into place, and it was a comforting watch. Honestly, most people don’t watch the show for the plot, since they already know it. They watch for the vibes. Like Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, the plot is a little generic, but it connects with a specific audience of young teens. It’s relatable in some ways, even if a bit cringey at times. It really feels like the show of summer.”
Saanika Slotwiner ’27
“I’m Team Conrad, because Jeremiah is really annoying in my opinion. In the first season, I was Team Jeremiah because Conrad was boring and Jeremiah was cuter. But now I’m Team Conrad. I thought Belly wasn’t going to end up with anyone, which I actually would have liked. But I was happy with how it ended, it was better than I expected. I thought she was going to simply enjoy summer, and when something happened with about 10 minutes left, I thought that was the end. But then she fixed it, so I was happy with that. The finale was satisfying. It was what everyone wanted, though some people disagreed, which confused me. From my own experience, I don’t think it’s very realistic. But it does add layers to what could happen, even if not in the same dynamics as real life.”
