‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3, Episode 5 Recap and Review: 'You Know I’m Just a Fool For You!'

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 5 opens to Otis Redding‘s “These Arms of Mine” as we rewatch Belly and Conrad’s sweet embrace at the end of TSITP Season 3, Episode 4. While the interaction from Belly’s point of view was brief, viewers are now treated to Connie’s perspective, where time slows down and passion intensifies. Conrad notices every little detail as close-ups on her hands, face, and more, portraying his deep love for every part of her. The color grading is also noticeably warmer, as Belly is lit in a golden hue to represent how Conrad sees her, bathed in sunlight throughout the entire episode.

It’s July Fourth weekend, and it’s been a week since that interaction, with Conrad fixing a roof in the vein of Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling) from The Notebook. According to his narration, he keeps replaying their hug over and over in his mind. He also reveals that, by design, he and Belly have barely seen each other since that moment, because with each passing minute they’re together, Conrad falls deeper and deeper in love. Something that can’t happen because, you know, she’s marrying his brother.

Conrad gets a call from his Dad (Tom Everett Scott), who inquires about Conrad’s thoughts on the wedding. Devoid of hope, he tells his Dad that he believes it’s going to happen regardless of what anyone else thinks. Meanwhile, Belly comes outside to take a swim, and the mere sight of her causes Conrad to drop his hammer in the storm gutter.

Belly and Conrad Get Some Alone Time in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3 Episode 5

In one of the rare moments not centred on Conrad, Jeremiah, Steven (Sean Kaufman), and Taylor (Rain Spencer) head to the Cousins house to celebrate the holiday. However, none of them end up making it to their destination, as Steven is forced to make a detour to New York for a gaming conference. With Steven out of the office, Jeremiah takes over for one more work assignment. Impressed with Jeremiah’s newfound work ethic, his dad offers to pay for the entire wedding and declares the venue will change from the beach house to the Country Club.

The absence of her brother, bestie, and beau is all much to Belly’s dismay, as she planned on spending the day wedding shopping with Jere and Taylor. However, her Connie in shining armor (white t-shirt, khakis, and sexy watch) and his noble steed (silver Range Rover) are here to save the day. Unfortunately, Conrad refuses to give Belly a ride downtown, as he’s still trying to avoid her, in respect for his brother.

As Belly rides her bike into downtown Cousins, Conrad watches from the window, narrating that every time Belly runs into a problem, he is always asking himself, “How do I fix it?” The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 5 treats the audience with a sweet flashback of the four Cousins kids riding their bikes. Jere and Steven insist that the group leaves without Belly as she falls behind, but little Conrad not only stays back, he even gives her his bike to use for herself.

Conrad Reluctantly Comes to Belly’s Aid in the Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 5

Despite always wanting to be there for her, Conrad now declares to himself that he’s done helping Belly when she’s in need. However, in typical Connie fashion, that plan is immediately scrapped. While on errands of his own, Conrad drives past Belly as she’s struggling to fit shopping bags on her bike handlebars.

Although he’s reluctant, Conrad picks Belly up, loads her bike and groceries, and even lets her drive his vehicle home when she asks. The pair have a cute conversation about Conrad’s former stamp-collecting hobby that ends with Belly asking Conrad if they can make one more stop. While the voice inside his head says no, his heart says yes. Anything to make Belly happy!

They stop at the florist, where Conrad is awkwardly mistaken for the groom. After they realize how expensive the flowers would be, Conrad sweetly suggests using some of Susannah’s hydrangeas instead to save money in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 5.

Conrad Looks Out For Belly Whenever He Can

In the car, Conrad encourages Belly on ways to cut wedding costs, despite Jeremiah’s pleas for his specific, expensive cake. When Belly calls Jere to discuss the changes, he throws a tantrum when he doesn’t get what he wants, and cancels on Belly despite having plans to go vase shopping at Michael’s with her. Belly confides in Conrad about how she feels alone in this wedding planning, with Jere’s cancelling their plans being the last straw.

Despite his inner monologue telling him not to, Conrad takes Belly on the shopping trip himself to go get the vases. Belly laughs through her tears, and Conrad smiles back so lovingly you’d think Belly just brought upon world peace. In his mind, she did.

On the way to Michael’s, Belly and Conrad open up to each other, showcasing just how comfortable they are with one another, to Harry Styles‘ “Cherry” playing softly in the background. Conrad reveals to Belly that he’s been in therapy in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 5, the first time he’s ever mentioned it out loud to another person.

Yearn-Rad Fisher Takes Over in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3 Episode 5

Few fictional heartthrobs have ever yearned harder than Conrad for Belly in “Last Dance.” As Belly and Conrad weave through each aisle of Michael’s shopping for vases and fake flowers, Conrad sneaks a glimpse at Belly at every opportunity he possibly can. The yearning gets so intense that Conrad even mentions that he keeps forgetting he’s not the one marrying her. Just when you think the yearning is at its peak, the camera starts moving in slow motion once again.

The very next shot is of Belly flashing Conrad a beaming smile, with golden light surrounding her as if she’s standing outside the gates of heaven. It isn’t helping that Belly is as chipper as ever, acting more like herself than viewers have seen since Season 1.

In the car after their successful trip, shopping for vases, Conrad reveals to Belly that he was fired from his Stanford clinical position. Their conversation ends when Belly directs her attention to a roadside peach stand, setting up the most iconic moment in the entire series. Any fans of Jenny Han’s books know just how big a deal the peach scene is, and The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 5 is when it finally happens. When Conrad asks if she’d like him to pull over, Belly rejects, but Conrad sticks with his U-Turn Routine and takes Belly to the uninhabited peach stand she was eyeing.

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3 Episode 5 Features “The Peace Scene”

Upon arrival, Belly pops a dollar into a bucket and takes a big bite of a peach. Juice is spurting out of that damn peach, but Belly doesn’t mind as she’s overtaken by how good it tastes. As Belly finishes the second juicy peach, Conrad steps over and uses his white t-shirt to slowly wipe all the juice off her face. They share a passionate gaze that stops time and launches them both into a different realm, before Belly breaks it off. Conrad walks back to the car, unaware that this moment was just as electric for Belly as it was for him. It’s moments like these in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 5 that make this show a classic.

Belly and Conrad get home fairly late, just in time for dinner, so Conrad can make his special grilled chicken. They drink a bottle of white wine and reflect on the day’s events. Belly is laughing so hard and smiling so big that it’s so easy to forget she’s engaged to Conrad’s brother.

Conrad reminisces about their last moments as a couple, a few weeks before that fateful prom day. Conrad is staying over in the Conklins’ guest room, and Belly sneaks in for a brief cuddle. Well, one thing leads to another and… dot dot dot. The love sequence is nothing short of shocking and adds a new layer of depth to Belly and Conrad’s relationship. Unfortunately, as the scene transitions back to the present day, an agitating, grating voice comes from the doorway, “Honey, I’m home!” Jeremiah is back, ugh.

Belly and Jere Share One “Last Dance” in ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’

Everything falls apart for Belly as Jeremiah arrives to discuss their wedding. Jere delivers the ‘good’ news regarding Adam paying for the wedding, but Belly is even less thrilled upon finding out that Adam’s mistress would be helping plan the wedding. Belly loses the venue she wanted, her first dance song, the cake she desired, and won’t even have all the people she wants at the wedding. All of the choices are being made by Jeremiah, speaking volumes about their relationship.

The camera pans up to Conrad watching Belly and Jere dance from the window. He reminisces about the final promise he made to his Mom (Rachel Blanchard) to always take care of his brother, as Jenny Han couldn’t let viewers move on to the next week without one final sad Conrad moment. In the final flashback of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Season 3, Episode 5, Conrad makes this promise to Susannah on her deathbed, and it’s as heart-wrenching as ever.

‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Season 3 Episode 5 Is a Series Highlight

Jenny Han directed this episode in such a unique and beautiful fashion. Viewers are watching Belly through Conrad’s eyes, often with an extreme close-up shot of her, focusing on her eyes, hair, smile, or hands. This strategy, combined with the warm color grading used throughout, makes “Last Dance” stand out visually from every other episode of the series thus far.

Chris Briney has been incredible all season, but his performance in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 5 is something special. There is no one who understands Conrad’s struggles and triumphs better than Briney. While Belly takes a backseat as the eyes and narrator in this episode, she still remains front and center.

It’s no secret that Belly has lost herself this season, becoming arguably the worst version of herself in her relationship with Jeremiah. However, in “Last Dance,” she’s portrayed as a breath of fresh air through Conrad’s eyes. Lola Tung brings back a lot of Belly’s quick wit and physicality from Season 1, and it’s so refreshing to watch. With Conrad and Belly back sharing the screen for most of the episode, The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 5 proves to be one of the best episodes of the entire series.

Best Moment: The peach scene. Duh.

Worst Moment: “Honey, I’m Home!” A chill went down my spine, but not in a good way.

Best Needle Drop: Our first tie! “Cherry” and “Wild Horses” were both just too good.

Episode MVP: Jenny Han. My queen. Thank you for your service.

Quote of the Episode: “[Jere] can give her all the things I can’t. She deserves that. She deserves the world.”

'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Season 3, Episode 5 Review

5/5 Total Score

The Sour Patch Kids (Pros)

• Jenny Han's unique direction and visual language makes this episode one-of-a-kind.
• The performances and chemistry between the two leads is unmatched.
• The writing allows these characters to be the best versions of themselves.
• Iconic scenes from the book are adapted with love and care.

The Swedish Fish (Cons)

• Jeremiah was in it.