Image: from Flixwatch
The Summer I Turned Pretty, an Amazon Prime series, has rapidly risen to the top of the teen and adult television ratings. Since its debut, the show has dominated social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter, where viewers frequently argue over whether they belong to “Team Conrad” or “Team Jeremiah.”
The narrative follows Isabella Conklin as she matures, handles her first romantic encounters, and deals with issues related to her identity and family. Some fans believe the show is unrealistic and excessively romantic, yet many others find it sympathetic.
According to Anika Kapoor, a junior at Washington who enjoyed the series, its appeal stems from the way it reflects the difficulties of maturing. “I think it portrays the life of a teenager who is going to be a young adult,” Kapoor said. “It just kind of shows like the struggles that they go through, which is why I think it’s relatable.”
Every season represents a new level of maturity, according to Kapoor. “In the first season, Belly focuses on young love, going to prom, and finishing her high school experiences. Season two shifts to her thinking about what colleges she wants to go to. Lastly, season three is about making that shift from going to college to getting married, buying a house, doing all these adult things that she’s not used to,” she stated. “It also kind of shows what a lot of young adults face these days, with not much support from their families.”
The story also heavily emphasizes family dynamics. “Her mom is strongly against her getting married… it doesn’t influence her, but it affects her because she really wants that support from her mom, but she’s not getting it,” Kapoor said. “It shows how Belly cannot let her parents influence her to a certain extent, but she’s still very much affected by it.”
Kapoor also adds that the show offers lessons for people of all ages. “There are a lot of lessons that many people can learn, such as n ot getting influenced by other people’s decisions and really focusing on what you truly want,” she said. “You have to go for what you really want and not let other people dictate or influence your life. Because at the end of the day, these people aren’t you.”
However, other students have a different perspective on the show. Arzou Katyal, a junior at Washington who does not enjoy the series, thought the tale focused too much on the main relationship. “I think the love triangle does take up a lot of the story,” she said.
Arzou argued that the show exaggerates teenage experiences and fails to capture reality. “The entire show is just based on the love triangle between the three, and it doesn’t focus on other themes,” Arzou said. “For regular teens, we have to do a lot of activities over the summer, and sometimes we don’t get to go to the beach all the time. It romanticizes summer.”
She also drew attention to the show’s preference for style and setting over deep storytelling. “It heavily romanticizes all of the aspects of summer,” Arzou said. “The beach houses, sunsets, and music are a big part of it, but it doesn’t feel real. It relies on aesthetics instead of focusing on deeper themes like friendship or family.” Despite her reservations about the show, Arzou acknowledges the reasons behind the series’ enduring popularity. “I think it’s very popular because a lot of people like to watch these dramas between love and relationships,” she said.
Given these contrasting viewpoints, it’s easy to see why The Summer I Turned Pretty is still a popular show. It is a story about coming of age that resonates with most people. Others find it unrealistic and overly dramatic. In any case, the show has been successful in generating fan discussion and maintaining its popularity.
Suhani Shivasharan is a senior at Washington High School. She was born in Santa Clara and moved to Fremont when she was six years old. This is her first year at The Hatchet, and she is interested in covering topics about arts and entertainment, including music, film, theater, and cultural events that engage audiences and spark discussions. Suhani enjoys dancing, skiing, skating, swimming, and hanging out with her friends. In the future, she hopes to go to college and study to become an Orthopedic Surgeon. She is super excited for senior year and to do great things at The Hatchet!