The Summer I Realized Enjoyment is More Important than Quality
The roaring question, “Team Jereimah or Team Conrad,” has overtaken every aspect of my life. From hallway chatter to an endless vortex of social media scrolling, the world is obsessed with “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
Middle school was my first introduction to the series. I had read the complete three-book series released by Jenny Han. Han’s role later extended beyond just the author, but later to the creator of the TV series.
I flew through each of the books, losing track of time. I read the entirety of the first book the night I purchased it. Immediately, I sought out the rest of the collection to satisfy my hunger. I was desperate to know what would happen to Isabel, “Belly”, the main character and to see how her impulsive actions would unfold. I enjoyed the summery romance located in a beautiful beach house, the teenage heartbreak that encapsulated forlorn emotions and the infuriating confusion mutually expressed by viewers.
I personally love this show. Not every show has to be revolutionary. Yes, the plot can be predictable and have vapid dialogue, but the show is easy to watch. TV should be entertaining, and not every piece of media one consumes has to be profound and philosophical. We should allow ourselves to like things we like without the fear that it is not “niche” enough or “sophisticated.”
This series stands out to me, as it is not only entertaining, but also because I represented it. In the show, Belly participates in a debutante ball, which differed from the books, but I found the addition to be beneficiary as it added interest to the plot. Debutante balls are events where young women are presented into society. My grandmother was a debutante in 1959, and my sister followed in her footsteps in 2021. I enjoy seeing representations of debutante balls, as it validates my experience. Watching Belly go through picking out her dress and getting ready for the ball made me excited for mine, which will take place in January of next year.
I am constantly rewatching this series. Each week as a new episode releases, I look forward to experiencing the content for the first time. I would strongly urge anyone looking for a show that feels like a fever dream to watch this. This show is light-hearted but also has serious moments, truly leaving a positive impact on me and giving me community with my peers.
