Team Conrad Or Team Jeremiah? Unpacking The Summer I Turned Pretty's Ultimate Love Triangle

Since its debut, Jenny Han's The Summer I Turned Pretty, brought to life on Prime Video, has captivated audiences with its sun-drenched aesthetic, coming-of-age narrative, and, most importantly, its central love triangle. At the heart of this emotional rollercoaster is Isabel "Belly" Conklin and the two Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. Both brothers are impossibly handsome and quirkily relatable, making it super hard to decide which one you're rooting for. So, what does it say about you if you’re on Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? This enduring debate is a testament to the depth and richness of Jenny Han’s storytelling, as both brothers bring unique qualities to the table that resonate deeply with viewers.

The Heart of the Love Triangle: Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah

The series, based on Jenny Han's beloved novel trilogy, chronicles Belly's summers at Cousins Beach, a place synonymous with first loves, heartbreak, and growing up. From a young age, Belly has harbored a crush on the elder Fisher brother, Conrad, but as she blossoms, the younger, more outwardly affectionate Jeremiah also enters the romantic picture. This sets the stage for a classic dilemma, as Belly finds herself torn between two brothers who offer very different paths to happiness.

A recap of the love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah in the Prime Video series shows just how complex their relationships become. The show masterfully portrays the nuances of these connections, ensuring that viewers feel the pull towards both sides. It’s not just a simple choice; it’s a reflection of different types of love and partnership, making the "Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah" question a heated topic of discussion among fans ahead of every new season. Like any good show for teens, The Summer I Turned Pretty tells the story of this love triangle, with both boys being potential boyfriend-material, but it’s the depth of their personalities that truly fuels the debate.

Meet the Brothers: A Tale of Two Personalities

To understand the intensity of the debate, one must first understand the distinct personalities of Conrad and Jeremiah, and how each interacts with Belly.

Conrad Fisher: The Brooding Romantic

Conrad, the older brother, is often characterized as the outwardly broody, mysterious, and complex one. He's the serious counterpart to Jeremiah's lightheartedness. His emotions run deep, and he tends to keep them guarded, often leading to misunderstandings and an impression of being emotionally distant. However, for those who look beyond the surface, there's a profound sensitivity and an intense capacity for love. Beyond the fact that Conrad simply has a deeper connection with Belly—their conversations are more intimate, more all-consuming compared to her surface-level interactions with others. Their history is long and intertwined, built on years of shared summers and unspoken feelings, leading to a profound understanding between them. This deep-seated connection is why Belly chose Conrad at the end of Season 1, a choice that many Team Conrad fans felt was destined.

Despite his emotional unavailability at times, when Conrad does open up, it's powerful and meaningful. He represents the kind of love that challenges and grows, a love that has a sense of permanence and a touch of fate. Indeed, for those who have read the books, the ending of the upcoming season three has already been decided in the trilogy’s final novel: Belly marries Conrad, solidifying their connection as the ultimate endgame.

Jeremiah Fisher: The Golden Retriever Charm

In stark contrast to Conrad, Jeremiah is the human personification of a golden retriever: eager to please, bubbly, and straightforward with his emotions. He represents the opposite of Conrad. He’s a good time and a breath of fresh air from all of the seriousness of the other things happening in Belly’s life, including her often-complicated relationship with Conrad. There’s a stability to Jeremiah that Conrad does not bring to the table; he is Conrad’s opposite, making him easier to navigate emotionally. Jeremiah also reciprocates Belly’s feelings openly and consistently, offering a sense of security and immediate gratification that Conrad often struggles to provide.

Team Jeremiah fans often champion his reliability, his willingness to be present, and his unwavering affection. He offers a love that is less dramatic, more outwardly supportive, and consistently available. This emotional accessibility and straightforwardness ultimately led Belly to choose Jeremiah over Conrad at the end of Season 2, marking the beginning of their relationship, much to the chagrin of Team Conrad who had been – admittedly – winning the race since Season 1. Jeremiah is kind-hearted, and his presence often lightens the mood, making him a compelling choice for Belly's heart.

The Complications: Jealousy, Obstacles, and Shifting Tides

While both brothers are undeniably charming, their dynamic is far from simple. The love triangle is fraught with tension, particularly due to Jeremiah's role and his own struggles with jealousy.

Jeremiah's "Antagonist" Arc

Some reviews of Season 2 sum it up with the idea that Jeremiah is the antagonist in that he’s an obstacle to Belly & Conrad being together. While this might be a harsh label, it highlights a significant aspect of his character. Jeremiah shows his own jealous streak in season 1 episode 4 when he catches Belly and Conrad about to kiss on the deck and almost shoots a firework at them. He later manipulates the situation to keep Conrad from being happy, getting mad when his brother finally finds some joy in season 1.

Jere's jealousy of his brother runs so deep, it can taint everything he does for some viewers. For example, in Episode 3, on the morning of Belly’s birthday, Jeremiah gives her a good luck charm to help her pass her driver’s test after Conrad fails to present a gift, which upsets her. While this seems sweet on the surface, some interpret it as a calculated move to win Belly's favor when Conrad falters. This underlying current of competition and occasional manipulation adds layers of complexity to Jeremiah’s otherwise sunny disposition.

Belly's Journey of Choice

Belly's journey through this love triangle is central to the series. Her choices reflect her own growth and changing needs. At the end of Season 1, she chose Conrad, aligning with her long-held dream. However, as the series progressed, particularly in Season 2, Conrad's emotional distance and the weight of their shared grief pushed Belly towards Jeremiah's more immediate comfort and stability. Right now, following the end of episode 7 of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2, the biggest question we have before the finale is whether Belly will choose Jeremiah or Conrad. She did, in fact, choose Jeremiah at the end of Season 2.

This back-and-forth makes the debate even more intense, as fans witness Belly's evolving feelings and the consequences of her decisions. Which boy is right for Belly (Lola Tung): Conrad (Christopher Briney) who Belly chose at the end of season one, or his brother Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) who she chose at the end of season two? The show truly makes it a challenging question for both Belly and the audience, as both brothers are impossibly handsome and quirkily relatable, making it super hard to decide which one you're rooting for.

Why the Debate Endures: Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah

The "Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah" debate isn't just about picking a favorite character; it's about what kind of love story resonates most with the viewer. Both brothers are compelling, and their flaws and strengths are equally visible, making the choice incredibly personal. Ahead of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, we continue to break down Belly’s relationships and where each Fisher brother stands now.

Team Conrad often champions the idea of a deep, soul-stirring connection, a love that feels fated and stands the test of time and adversity. They see past Conrad's brooding exterior to the vulnerable, deeply loving person beneath, believing that his connection with Belly is simply unparalleled and that their conversations are more intimate and all-consuming.
Team Jeremiah, on the other hand, gravitates towards a love that is present, emotionally available, and brings joy and stability. They appreciate Jeremiah's straightforwardness, his unwavering support, and the ease he brings to Belly's life, arguing that true love should be less complicated and more openly affectionate. There’s a stability to Jeremiah that Conrad does not bring to the table, making him easier to navigate emotionally.

Ultimately, the debate between Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah is a testament to the depth and richness of Jenny Han’s storytelling. Both brothers bring unique qualities to the relationship with Belly, and the show expertly showcases the pros and cons of each pairing. It’s a debate that continues to fuel discussions, fan theories, and passionate arguments across social media, proving that the heart wants what the heart wants, and sometimes, it's incredibly hard to choose.

As The Summer I Turned Pretty heads into its anticipated Season 3, the question of Belly's ultimate choice remains a central point of fascination, even for those who know the book's ending. The journey of Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah is a captivating exploration of first love, family bonds, and the difficult choices that shape us. Whether you're rooting for the broody intellectual or the golden retriever sweetheart, one thing is clear: this love triangle has etched itself into the hearts of many, ensuring its legacy as one of television's most compelling romantic dilemmas. The ongoing debate is a reflection of how deeply fans connect with these characters and their evolving relationships.