We might be closing the final chapter on The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 – and the series as a whole – but that hasn’t stopped the fandom from fretting over the Team Conrad vs Jeremiah discourse like it’s still up for debate. Because, surely it’s not. Right?
In positing the same question to the marie claire Australia team, we were shocked (nay, appalled) to discover the existence of Jeremiah sympathisers in our very midst. Who knew, that after everything we’ve been through these past few months, both emotionally and spiritually, that anyone could realistically offer up a shred of evidence against why a Conrad-Belly (Bonrad? Conny?) conclusion isn’t endgame?
How anyone calling themselves a fan of The Summer I Turned Pretty (or love in general) could harbour such feelings for the younger (read: inferior) Fisher brother is anyone’s guess, but our puzzlement was such, that it took everything we had to tear ourselves away from the argument at hand and settle this love triangle debate in a more civilised setting: the internet.
After all, if this Millennial writer has learnt anything from her years of reality sitcom-induced trauma, it’s that we have a moral duty to educate the younger generation (aka Gen Z) about why it’s never a good idea to cancel a trip to Paris for a man. Lest we forget The Hills’ Lauren Conrad ditching her Paris internship for a cursed situationship, or Rachel’s unhinged decision to bid adieu to her dream job in Paris, for Ross (of all people) in Friends.
Hearing our Gen Z colleague argue for a Jeremiah and Belly ending to the series, it became clear that our preference for one brother over the other might be less about what we (Millennials) see as obvious traits in a suitable love match, and more about what each generation truly values in a long-term partner. Whether that’s passion and unpredictability, or stability and personal growth.
Naturally, it would be remiss of us to exclude you, dear readers, from the generational divide we seem to have found ourselves in, and so, in light of the heated divide sweeping our Teams chats as we count down to the final episodes, here’s our Gen Z vs Millennial take on the Team Conrad vs Team Jeremiah debate.
Team Conrad Or Team Jeremiah? We Settle The Generational Debate
Some words of warning before you dive in: Expect spoilers for season 3 throughout. Also, anyone hoping for a “Belly chooses herself” ending won’t find the confirmation bias they seek here – sorry.
Representing the Millennial mood is digital producer Kate, 35, who is firmly in camp Conrad. Leading the charge for Team Jeremiah, and the Gen Z cohort, is marie claire’s 23-year-old editorial coordinator, Caitlin.
All views expressed below are our own, but widely acknowledged (according to our extremely biased internal poll) to be correct.*
*Unless you subscribe to the Jellyfish fanclub, in which case, we wish you the best of luck in your future romantic endeavours.
Caitlin: Team Jeremiah
First of all – his magical ocean eyes – lmao.
I think he has really valid emotional trauma thanks to Conrad being the ‘golden child’ – which has been made really obvious in season three.
It’s particularly noticeable to see the difference when compared to season one, where we see how happy Jere was when his dad came to the 4th of July party. By contrast, Conrad couldn’t even hold a conversation with him.
Kate: Team Conrad
True. Jere’s eyes might be an arresting shade of blue and his face might bear a striking resemblance to a young Jude Law IYKYK, but it still doesn’t excuse his serious lack of emotional maturity.
His relationship with his dad might have changed as the scales of perceived paternal favour tipped towards Conrad, however, can you blame the guy for getting mad about having to hand over 20k (that’s USD) because Jere couldn’t stay on top of his inbox? I’d argue that it was preciscely his long-held position as golden child (literally his whole life) that shielded him from the full brunt of his dad’s disappointment. Could you imagine what that conversation in the car would’ve looked like if it was directed at Conrad?
Also, don’t underestimate the unique experience of being the eldest child, either.
Sweet teenage Connie had to carry the burden of knowing his dad cheated while his mum was dying, for a long while before Jeremiah found out. Conrad opting out of interactions with his dad during that party was his way of acknowledging Susannah’s pain and showing that loser what consequences look like. Boundaries.
Caitlin: Team Jeremiah
Jeremiah’s golden-retriever charm masks deeper insecurities, and I think he’s a chameleon, seeking approval and avoiding rejection. Belly sees this warmth but lacks the maturity to question his motives, making their relationship ultimately more fragile than hers with Conrad, but not necessarily worse.
I loved how solid her and Jere’s friendship was in season one, too, before they started their wee summer fling. They obviously have great chemistry and a really strong bond.
Jeremiah is always there for Belly. She could snap her fingers and he’d run a mile for her, whereas Conrad’s on-again, off-again feelings are tiresome, and it tells me he could never properly commit to the long haul.
For me, being team Conrad suggests an attraction to emotionally unavailable men. I said what I said.
Kate: Team Conrad
Firstly, I’m really showing my age here, and lord knows I’ve fallen victim to the “I can fix them” trope many times over, but boys who overcompensate for their insecurities by masking as the loveable “golden retriever type” grow into men who don’t deal with their emotions.
Case in point Jeremiah in season three, whose inability to process his own grief has led to a regression I’m not sure he’s ready to therapise himself out of just yet. Sabrina Carpenter said it best, really.
I don’t think Belly lacks the maturity to question his motives – more likely, she’s so worried about hurting his feelings, that ignores them.
Of course they have good chemistry! They’re both gorgeous, and young, and in college. You could develop chemistry with a cliff at that age. But maturity is knowing that chemistry alone isn’t enough to sustain a relationship long term. My man Conrad, however, has done the work, and then some, this season. Can we say the same for Jeremiah?
We see Connie in therapy. He’s speaking openly about his feelings with Agnes – a stunning new cast member who, we must admit, has really been helping Conrad’s character arc this season. His house – which importantly, is not a frat house dorm room – is oh-so-clean, and he’s excelling at his career. Not because he’s the “golden child” but because he’s worked hard to get there. Importantly – this extends to his willingness to atone for his past relationship sins once and for all, proving that he is the better match for Belly. Because, personal growth.
And sorry, but, choosing Jeremiah – who seems to be studying Sport’s Marketing (or whatever the made-up degree is) – over future Dr. Conrad Fisher? In this economy?!
Caitlin: Team Jeremiah
I also think while Belly was dating Conrad in season two, we witnessed her life unravelling. Her grades slipped, her friendships faded, and she was kicked off the volleyball team.
Days after choosing Jeremiah, we saw her thriving again, back on the team, and who’s by her side through it all? Jeremiah.
Kate: Team Conrad
Sure, season two wasn’t kind to Belly and Conrad, and Jere was there for her when she needed him. But that didn’t mean Conrad ever stopped caring about Belly in that way. Can we just remind ourselves that both of these boys were dealing with some pretty heavy emotional stuff and were both processing it differently?
And are we really going to ignore the fact that, not only did Belly hold off on telling Jeremiah about getting into the study abroad program immediately (a telling response), but after initially agreeing to it – decided to back out as soon as Jeremiah proposed. What about Paris?
Conrad would’ve packed her bags himself, planned her itinerary and organised airport transfers for her on the other end. Jeremiah, on the other hand, couldn’t hide his joy at finding out she was going to remain shackled to him while he struggles through his last semester.
And then what? He goes off into the world while Belly completes her last year of study? Not a chance.
Caitlin: Team Jeremiah
I think it’s so understandable that a recently married couple would want to stay together and live in their honeymoon bubble for a bit.
After all, they just got married! And then he’s meant to be ok with her leaving for six months?!
Kate: Team Conrad
In lieu of a written response, here’s a visual of how Conrad would respond to that ridiculous argument.
Related articles:
- Who Does Belly Pick At The End Of ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Books?
- ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Stars Spill On “Big Changes” To Season Three
- Jenny Han Says You Might Be Overthinking ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Easter Eggs
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