Summary
A fun, theatrical installment that explores the other cast members in more detail. Again, some dodgy ethics are on display, and no signs of any overarching messages to be learned.
This recap of Amazon’s The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1, episode 5, “Summer Catch,” contains spoilers.
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Belly takes a slight backseat in this instalments, allowing the other cast members a chance to shine. Episode five, “Summer Catch” focuses more on the adult mothers, but still finds time to explore Belly’s love triangle too, as the sparring brothers vie for the sixteen-year-old’s heart. This is a much more engaging episode, which is surprisingly adult-themed in its content for a teen drama.
The Summer I Turned Pretty season 1, episode 5 recap
Episode four ended with Conrad and Belly almost kissing and both teens’ hearts are a fluttering in episode five. There’s an anticipation that love is blossoming between these two and although they spend the majority of the episode apart, they’re eager to be together again. They text one another throughout the episode in secret. The episode starts with Belly’s favorite memory. Both teens wearing those dorky glasses (yes, we get it, they’re ugly in the past), Conrad teaching Belly how to dance. This seamlessly transitions into the present, where Belly is learning to waltz for the debutante ball. Unfortunately for Belly, everyone else has a partner to practice with. Nicole has to help out singleton Belly, which is awkward considering the ‘almost kiss’ with Conrad.
Jeremiah, who was more than a tad jealous of this kiss, arrives to energize the debutantes. He dances with Belly and livens up proceedings. The lifeguard has kept his feelings for Belly completely under wraps until now, here he competes for her attention, becoming the life and soul of the party. Conrad watches on from the side and waves to Belly, yet Nicole thinks it’s for her. These relationships are getting rather messy now and a lot of teens are about to have their hearts broken.
Susannah and Laurel make amends, deciding to get stoned in celebration of their restored friendship. Laurel apologizes, stating she isn’t trying to manage her friend’s life and Susannah pleads to being in control of her own destiny. They discuss Laurel’s hook-up with Cleveland and decide to go out drinking, after first ransacking the kitchen for snacks to offset the munchies. The teens watch in horror as the mothers act immaturely whilst high. Later, the two hit the town and both get lucky.
Cam takes Belly on a bike ride date, where they watch whales in the sea. Cam is an adorably sweet individual, who is kind and considerate to Belly. The teen realizes that there is no spark between them though, and with the renewed interest from Conrad, breaks up with Cam. It’s an affable split and Cam ends things by saying he hopes her next boyfriend will treat her right.
In another subplot Steven is promoted to the card room, where he serves high-rollers at a poker game. They ask for his advice and Steven manages to help a guest win some money. The guest gives him a poker chip as a thank you, as well as a hefty tip. Steven is loving this new employment until the guests start to act racist, with vulgar comments. Steven speaks with his boss, who tells him to ignore it and concentrate on the money. Steven considers quitting, but seems to care more about the money than his principles.
The ending
Conrad and Belly are finally reunited as the episode draws to an end. Those expecting further fireworks and a romantic embrace will be disappointed. Conrad rejects the teen and Belly says she is done waiting for him. The star-crossed romance is finally over and Belly is now without Conrad and Cam. Sharing a midnight swim with Jeremiah, he reveals his love for Belly and the two kiss.
This is another fun episode that provides sufficient drama and progresses the trashy love triangle at the heart of this story. For a teen drama there’s quite a lot of swearing and sex, with some rather unconventional morals at play too. Again, the show hasn’t really squashed any of these preconceptions, which is worrying with only two more episodes to go.
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