The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 9, set to premiere on September 3, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video, has fans reeling from the emotional fallout of Episode 8’s explosive wedding crash. Titled “Last Kiss,” the previous episode saw Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno) call off their wedding after a series of devastating revelations, with Conrad Fisher’s (Christopher Briney) late-night confession and unexpected airport appearance stealing the spotlight. As Jeremiah grapples with betrayal and heartbreak, fans on X are calling this the definitive breaking point of the show’s iconic love triangle. Here’s a deep dive into the emotional stakes, fan reactions, and what to expect as Belly’s choice slips further from Jeremiah’s hands.
The Wedding That Wasn’t: A Recap of Episode 8’s Chaos
Episode 8 delivered a gut punch to “Jelly” (Belly + Jeremiah) fans, as the long-anticipated wedding unraveled in spectacular fashion. The episode opened with the aftermath of Conrad’s beachside plea to Belly, urging her not to marry Jeremiah and confessing he would “never not love” her. Despite Belly’s initial rejection, insisting she chose Jeremiah, cracks in her resolve began to show. At the rehearsal dinner, Jeremiah’s speech about their soulmate bond was overshadowed by Adam Fisher’s announcement that Jeremiah would join his company, a decision Belly was unaware of, highlighting their communication gaps.
The real bombshell came when Jeremiah confronted Belly about her lingering feelings for Conrad, revealing he knew about their secret Christmas meetup at Cousins Beach. Jeremiah admitted he learned of this before his Cabo trip, where he cheated on Belly with Lacie, a betrayal he justified with a “we were on a break” excuse that left fans fuming. The final blow was a mislabeled letter from Susannah, meant for Conrad, revealing her belief that he and Belly were destined to be together. Devastated, Jeremiah called off the wedding, telling Belly, “You can’t marry me to erase him,” and declared Conrad “dead to me” in a heated confrontation.
The episode closed with Belly, heartbroken but resolute, packing her bags and heading to the airport for her Paris study-abroad program. As she prepared to board, she spotted Conrad across the terminal, their eyes locking in a moment fans describe as “time-freezing.” This cliffhanger has set the stage for Episode 9, with viewers speculating whether this marks the end of Jeremiah’s hopes and the tipping point for a “Bonrad” (Belly + Conrad) reunion.
Jeremiah’s Heartbreak: A Betrayal That Cuts Deep
Jeremiah’s arc in Episode 8 was a masterclass in emotional devastation. Fans on X have expressed mixed feelings about his character, with some sympathizing with his pain while others condemn his actions. Posts like @rayainalif’s describe Jeremiah as “disgusting” for laughing off his Cabo cheating, while @Hindsite20 argues he “shouldn’t have inserted himself” into Belly and Conrad’s story, knowing their deep connection. Jeremiah’s discovery that Belly still loves Conrad, coupled with Susannah’s letter favoring Conrad, shattered his confidence. His outburst, “I see the way you look at him, Belly,” revealed a long-simmering insecurity about never measuring up to his older brother.
ScreenRant notes that Season 3 has painted Jeremiah in a villainous light, with his cheating and subsequent behavior alienating fans. His decision to withhold the truth about Cabo until confronted, and his failure to discuss the job with Belly, underscore a pattern of secrecy that contrasts with his earlier portrayal as the reliable, open-hearted Fisher brother. Yet, some fans, like @tsitpxbonrad, argue the show’s depiction is sadder than the books, as Jeremiah genuinely believed he and Belly were endgame, only to realize she’s been suppressing her feelings for Conrad. His heartbreak is palpable, but his actions have made it hard for some viewers to root for him.
The Love Triangle’s Breaking Point
The airport stare-down between Belly and Conrad has been dubbed the love triangle’s breaking point by fans on X, with @rubybeaufort_ asserting, “Belly will ALWAYS love Conrad more,” and @Lizzy7214 noting her guilt over reciprocating Conrad’s feelings despite her engagement. Unlike the books, where Belly and Conrad reconnect through letters while she’s in Spain, the series’ shift to Paris and this dramatic encounter adds a fresh layer of tension. The trailer for the final three episodes teases Belly starting anew in Paris, working at a café and making friends, but Conrad’s letter, beginning with “Dear Belly,” suggests their story is far from over.
Vulture describes the triangle as reaching a point where “nothing has fundamentally changed” until Conrad’s desperate “Choose me, pick me, love me” speech, which, while not enough to sway Belly immediately, plants seeds of doubt. Fans speculate that Episode 9 will explore whether Belly speaks to Conrad at the airport or boards her flight, prioritizing self-discovery. The consensus on X is that Jeremiah’s exit from the romantic race is all but confirmed, with @00renity calling him out for his “throne of lies” and predicting a shift toward Belly’s independence or a Conrad reunion.
What to Expect in Episode 9
Episode 9 is poised to pick up at Charles de Gaulle Airport, resolving whether Belly and Conrad have a confrontation or part in silence. The trailer hints at Belly settling into Paris, meeting new characters played by Corinna Brown, Fernando Cattori, Isaline Prevost Radeff, and Jahz Armando, potentially introducing a new love interest. However, Conrad’s letter is expected to be a pivotal plot point, possibly echoing the book’s epistolary reconnection. SoapCentral suggests Jeremiah will focus on healing, likely joining his father’s firm, while Belly navigates her new life, free from the triangle’s immediate pressure.
Newsweek reports that Belly’s Paris arc will emphasize her finding herself, with the study-abroad program offering a chance to reclaim agency lost in her co-dependent relationship with Jeremiah. Fans hope for a balance between her personal growth and romantic resolution, with some anticipating a slow-burn “Bonrad” reunion by the finale on September 17, 2025. The introduction of new characters and Belly’s job suggests a shift toward independence, but Conrad’s presence looms large, with reports of Christopher Briney filming in Paris fueling speculation of a grand romantic gesture.
Fan Sentiment and Cultural Impact
The emotional weight of Episode 8 has sparked intense reactions on X, with fans live-tweeting every tearful moment. The soundtrack, featuring Taylor Swift’s “Cardigan” during Belly’s airport scene, has amplified the drama, trending on Spotify and TikTok. Posts like @blueravns highlight discomfort with Jeremiah’s behavior, particularly a scene where Belly’s consent seemed ambiguous, adding to criticism of his character. Meanwhile, “Bonrad” shippers, as noted by SoapCentral, are both elated and heartbroken, thrilled by the airport moment but anxious about Belly’s next move.
The series’ 25 million viewers in its first week underscore its status as a Gen Z phenomenon, rivaling The Vampire Diaries for its romantic tension. However, some fans, like those on IMDb, criticize the show for leaning too heavily into the love triangle, calling it “forced” and lacking the charm of Season 1. Regardless, the airport scene’s cinematic quality and the promise of Paris have kept viewers hooked.
Why This Moment Matters
Episode 9 is a turning point for The Summer I Turned Pretty, as Jeremiah’s heartbreak and Belly’s airport encounter with Conrad mark the unraveling of the triangle that has defined the series. The betrayal—Jeremiah’s cheating, Belly’s hidden feelings, and Susannah’s letter—has fractured their bonds, pushing Belly toward a path of self-discovery. Whether she chooses Conrad or herself, this episode, streaming September 3, 2025, at 12 a.m. PT on Prime Video, will crack open the emotional core of the story. Fans can expect tears, new beginnings, and a step closer to resolving whether Belly’s heart belongs to Conrad or a future free from the Fisher brothers’ pull. Tune in to see the moment unfold and the triangle finally break.
