If you’ve been watching The Summer I Turned Pretty from the beginning, you already know this isn’t just a sweet summer romance. It has always been a battlefield of loyalty, with fans passionately choosing sides between Conrad and Jeremiah what started as a love triangle has transformed into a cultural obsession. Viewers dissect posters, music, colour palettes, episode titles, and even tiny props in the background as clues in a mystery novel. It sometimes feels less like watching a series and more like preparing for an exam on Jenny Han’s universe. But, the truth is that, Han has been leaving hints about Belly’s final choice since the first season. Put the pieces together, and the direction becomes much clearer.
Yes, the adaptation has made adjustments from the books, but the heart of the story has stayed aligned. Episode 7 pushes this even further, layering in symbols and callbacks that suggest Conrad isn’t just a contender, he’s the endgame.
Episode 7: Belly-Conard Confession
Belly opens the episode reflecting on how the wedding isn’t just about Jeremiah or Conrad, it feels like the weight of everything is on her shoulders. Even as Jeremiah greets her with excitement, Conrad’s presence lingers, stirring emotions she’d rather ignore.
Her bachelorette party brings laughter, but also flashes of Conrad in her mind. The turning point comes when she learns Conrad convinced her mom to show up for her, proving he’s still looking out for her. Later, in a vulnerable moment with Taylor, Belly admits she never dreamed of weddings, only of Conrad, hinting at the doubts she carries about marrying Jeremiah.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah’s wild night reveals old wounds, and Conrad drops a confession of his own; he’s still in love with Belly and can’t bear to see her marry his brother. Belly rejects him, insisting Jeremiah is her safe place, but her private breakdown shows her words don’t match her heart.
The episode closes with quiet devastation, Belly knocks on the wall the way she used to with Jeremiah, but there’s only silence. Conrad is outside, crying. Both love each other deeply, but neither can bridge the gap. Belly is caught between Jeremiah’s steady devotion and Conrad’s raw passion, and as the wedding looms, her heart remains unsettled.
The Posters that Spoke Louder than Dialogue
The promotional campaign for season three seemed innocent, but in hindsight, it was practically screaming the answer. Belly stood between Jeremiah and Conrad, but the detail that mattered was in the eyes. Conrad’s gaze was locked on Belly, unwavering and deliberate, while Jeremiah’s attention always drifted elsewhere, down at the floor or into the distance. It wasn’t random staging. It was storytelling through still imagery, reminding us that Conrad’s connection to Belly has always been the centrepiece, even when words weren’t spoken.
Echoes of Sabrina: A Love Story Written Twice
One of Belly’s favourite films, Sabrina, is referenced repeatedly in the series, and for good reason. Audrey Hepburn’s Sabrina is first enchanted by the playful younger brother, only to discover her true match in the older, more complex sibling. The parallel is impossible to ignore. Jeremiah may be warm, charming, and emotionally available, but Conrad has always carried the weight of more profound, lasting love. Jenny Han even recreated the film’s iconic poster structure, with Belly flanked by the two brothers. That’s not homage, it’s foreshadowing.
Borrowing from Iconic Romances
Romantic echoes are scattered across episode 7, weaving Conrad and Belly’s connection into the fabric of cinematic history; their easy laughter over dinner channels The Notebook. Conrad’s subtle, restrained reaction to a fleeting touch mirrors the legendary hand-flex moment in Pride and Prejudice; their stumble together on the stairs carries the intimacy of old Hollywood. These aren’t accidents! These scenes are reserved for Conrad and Belly, not Jeremiah. Jenny Han wants their love to feel timeless, like the romances that still live on decades later.
Music as the Hidden Narrator
The soundtrack in this show does more than set a mood - it tells the truth when the characters can’t. Taylor Swift’s music threads through the narrative like a secret code. Jeremiah’s moments with Belly are framed by uncertain, aching songs. “You’re Losing Me” plays when their relationship begins to collapse, a heartbreaking signal that their love is fragile. Contrast that with Belly and Conrad’s scenes, which carry tracks filled with passion and permanence, like “False God.” In one unforgettable moment, Belly’s heartbeat even syncs with the music when Conrad rests his head on her shoulder, as though he’s breathing life back into her. That isn’t just scoring - it’s storytelling in rhythm.
Jenny Han’s Signature Shot
Fans of Jenny Han’s other works know her visual signatures well. One of her favourites is the shot where the heroine lies on the ground and the hero leans over her - a moment that feels vulnerable and intimate. She’s used it in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and in XO, Kitty. In The Summer I Turned Pretty, that shot belongs not to Jeremiah, but to Conrad. It feels like Han’s cinematic stamp of approval, marking who the true couple of the story is.
Color as Language
Colours have been quietly doing the storytelling all along. Remember the trailer set to Taylor Swift’s “Red”? The lyrics themselves lay out the symbolism: losing him was blue, loving him was red. Time and again, Belly is shown in blue when she’s with Jeremiah, safe, familiar, but fleeting. With Conrad, the palette shifts to red, passionate, consuming, unforgettable. Even the flowers obey this symbolism. In one scene, a single red bloom stands tall among blue hydrangeas exactly where Conrad stands. It’s not subtle, but it’s powerful.
Episode Titles with Double Meanings
Even the titles of the episodes carry hidden clues. Take “The Last Dance.” At first glance, it seems to highlight Jeremiah and Belly’s relationship. But beneath the surface, it’s about Belly and Conrad finally circling back to each other, breaking through all the avoidance and hesitation. Jenny Han loves double meanings, and here they whisper the truth: Conrad is always at the heart of the story.
Playing Cards, Kings, and Infinity
Fans on TikTok became obsessed with the card theory and for good reason. A Queen of Hearts card appears in Belly’s room, while later a King of Diamonds turns up at Cousins, linked directly to Conrad. Add in his love for The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and the metaphor sharpens: Belly is the queen, Conrad the king, destined to reunite.
The infinity symbol deepens that bond. From the infinity bracelet Conrad gave Belly to the recurring shapes hidden in sets, the theme of endless love ties them together. Jeremiah doesn’t carry that symbol. Conrad does. The message is obvious: their love is infinite.
The Light That Belongs to Conrad
Perhaps the most beautiful symbolism of all lies in the sun imagery. Belly is always reaching for sunlight when she’s with Conrad, like in the car window scene where she leans into the warmth, radiant with joy. With Jeremiah, she never seeks the sun; instead, she stays indoors or pulls him away from it. Conrad’s phone wallpaper? The sun itself. In his eyes, Belly is bathed in golden light. And when Laurel tells her daughter, “For Belly, Conrad is the sun,” it’s as if Jenny Han is spelling out the conclusion in bold print.
A Love That Grows Through Struggle
Jeremiah is tender, dependable, and undeniably caring. But the heart of Belly’s journey isn’t about choosing comfort. It’s about discovering that real love is messy, complicated, and deeply rewarding. That’s what she has with Conrad. It’s not about who makes her laugh the most; it’s about who she cannot live without.
The Endgame That Was Always Written
By episode 7, the evidence feels overwhelming. Conrad is not just Belly’s first love, he’s her forever love.
Fans may debate endlessly, but the creative choices are undeniable. The summer love triangle was never really about uncertainty. It was about letting us feel the thrill of possibility while quietly preparing us for the inevitable.
As this season builds toward its finale, it seems almost certain that Belly and Conrad’s story will close where it always belonged: in each other’s arms, infinity bracelet shining, Taylor Swift echoing in the background, sunlight streaming in. Because for Belly, Conrad isn’t just another summer crush. He’s the sun itself.
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