This isn’t just another episode—it’s the turning point. Episode 9 of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 might mirror the book’s ending where Belly marries Conrad… or flip the script entirely. Either way, it’s the heartbreak choice that will break the fandom. 👉 See the direction fate takes.
Episode 9 of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3: The Heartbreak Choice That Could Redefine the Fandom
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 9, titled “Across the Ocean,” is not just another chapter in Belly Conklin’s journey—it’s a seismic shift that could either mirror the book’s romantic resolution or shatter expectations with a bold new direction. Airing on September 3, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video, this episode picks up the gut-wrenching cliffhanger from Episode 8, where Belly (Lola Tung) nearly boards her Paris flight only to freeze at the sight of Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) in the airport. This reunion, long demanded by fans, is a turning point that could cement the Bonrad (Belly and Conrad) endgame from Jenny Han’s We’ll Always Have Summer or flip the script entirely, leaving the fandom reeling. With heartbreak looming and fate hanging in the balance, Episode 9 delivers a raw, emotional punch that redefines the series’ trajectory.
The Airport Reunion: A Collision of Fate and Choice
The episode opens with the airport scene that left fans screaming at their screens. Belly, suitcase in hand, stands at the gate for her Paris-bound flight, her heart torn between her past with the Fisher brothers and her desire to forge a new path. Conrad’s unexpected presence—revealed to be a coincidence, as he’s headed to California for a job with Garth Lab—stops her in her tracks. The camera captures every microexpression on Lola Tung’s face: shock, longing, and a flicker of resolve. The use of Taylor Swift’s “Cardigan” swells in the background, amplifying the intimacy of the moment, as if the crowded airport fades away, leaving only Belly and Conrad.
Unlike the book, where Belly and Conrad reconnect through letters during her time in Spain, the show places this pivotal moment in Paris, a choice that adds a cinematic grandeur to their encounter. Their conversation is brief but devastating. Belly, still reeling from her broken engagement to Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), confronts Conrad with a mix of anger and vulnerability: “You can’t keep breaking my heart like this.” Conrad, visibly shaken, admits he didn’t plan this meeting. He shares his guilt over disrupting her wedding and his fractured bond with Jeremiah, hinting at the emotional toll of their love triangle. The scene avoids a fairy-tale resolution; instead, Belly chooses to board her flight, prioritizing her own growth over chasing Conrad. This moment of agency feels like a triumph, but it leaves the door open for their story to continue.
Paris: Belly’s Journey of Self-Discovery
The episode shifts to Paris, where belly begins her study-abroad program. The city’s romantic backdrop—cobblestone streets, golden-lit cafes, and the Seine—contrasts with Belly’s inner turmoil. New characters, including her roommate Anika (Sofia Bryant) and a diverse group of students played by Corinna Brown, Fernando Cattori, Isaline Prevost Radeff, and Jahz Armando, inject fresh energy into the narrative. These friendships push Belly to explore who she is outside the Cousins Beach bubble. A scene where she sketches by the Seine, laughing with Fernando’s character, hints at a potential new romantic interest, sparking debates among fans about whether the show is setting up a Team Jeremiah, Team Conrad, or Team Nobody endgame.
Yet, Conrad’s presence lingers. A letter from him arrives, teased in the trailer with his voiceover: “Dear Belly…” The letter, partially revealed, is a nod to the book’s epistolary connection between the two, where Conrad’s words bridge the distance between them. In a voiceover, Belly reflects, “I thought I could leave him behind, but he’s in every corner of my heart.” This line, paired with Lola Tung’s nuanced performance, captures the tension between moving forward and being tethered to the past. The Paris arc underscores the show’s shift toward Belly’s independence, a departure from the book’s focus on her romantic destiny.
The Fisher Brothers: A Rift That Cuts Deep
Back in the U.S., the episode delves into the fractured relationship between Conrad and Jeremiah. Flashbacks reveal a heated confrontation at Susannah’s garden, where Jeremiah accuses Conrad of stealing Belly’s heart. “You don’t get to keep hurting her,” Jeremiah says, his anger masking his own pain. This rift, deepened by Conrad’s confession of love in Episode 8, has fans divided. X posts show Team Jeremiah supporters arguing he deserves a chance at happiness, while Team Conrad fans point to Susannah’s letter, which confirmed her belief that Belly and Conrad were meant to be (@bonrad4ever, August 27, 2025).
Conrad’s arc is one of quiet introspection. His move to California signals an attempt to move on, but a scene of him writing to Belly reveals his unresolved feelings. Christopher Briney’s understated performance shines, with fans on X praising his ability to convey Conrad’s inner conflict: “Chris Briney is breaking my heart with those sad eyes #TSITP” (@conklinsummer, August 27, 2025). Jeremiah, meanwhile, throws himself into work, a choice that surprises Belly and hints at his own journey of self-discovery.
Book vs. Show: Mirroring or Breaking the Mold?
In We’ll Always Have Summer, Belly and Conrad reconcile after a year apart, culminating in their wedding at the Cousins beach house. Episode 9 teases this possibility with the letter and Susannah’s endorsement, but the show’s deviations—Paris instead of Spain, the airport reunion, and new characters—suggest a willingness to rewrite the ending. Jenny Han’s involvement as showrunner ensures these changes stay true to the story’s emotional core, but they’ve sparked intense debate. A Reddit thread captures the fandom’s divide: “I’m Team Bonrad, but I love that Belly’s choosing herself. The show might not give us the book ending, and I’m okay with that” (@AutoModerator, August 27, 2025).
The episode’s pacing balances high-stakes drama with quieter moments, though some fans on X feel the Paris scenes slow the momentum: “I need more Conrad and Belly, not random new guys” (@belfl91, August 27, 2025). Others praise the show’s risk-taking, with one user tweeting, “This is Belly’s glow-up season. Paris is her chance to shine #TSITP” (@hawonlea, August 27, 2025). The use of Taylor Swift’s music continues to be a cultural touchstone, with “Cardigan” cementing the episode’s emotional weight.
The Heartbreak Choice and Fandom Fallout
Episode 9 sets up a heartbreak choice that could break the fandom: will Belly follow her heart back to Conrad, as in the book, or forge a new path, potentially with someone new or alone? The letter from Conrad, combined with Belly’s growth in Paris, keeps both possibilities alive. The trailer for the final episodes hints at more letters and a possible Paris reunion, but the show’s unpredictability leaves fans guessing. Social media is ablaze with reactions, from “BONRAD ENDGAME OR I RIOT” (@tsitpfanatic, August 27, 2025) to “Belly deserves to be single and happy” (@teamnobody, August 27, 2025).
The episode’s emotional depth, driven by stellar performances from Tung, Briney, and Casalegno, ensures that every choice feels monumental. Belly’s decision to board the plane, the brothers’ rift, and the letter’s unanswered questions create a narrative that’s both nostalgic and daringly new. As the season heads toward its September 10, 2025, finale, one thing is certain: The Summer I Turned Pretty is unafraid to challenge its fans’ expectations, making Episode 9 a turning point that will define the series’ legacy.
