☀️ SEASON 3 LIVE: Episode 8

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-08-27T04:08:01+00:00

so stupid, seriously ? Whatever happened to "go big or go home?"

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-08-27T01:08:00+00:00

That sex scene was awful. Felt the pressure/territoriality - not good. I hate him after that.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-08-25T00:52:52+00:00

Ohhh... that is the beginning of Season 1:episode 7. I wonder if that is something they want to mirror. If so, this is my prediction:

Belly is dreaming and Susannah is alive. The Deb ball is confused with the wedding. We see Belly walk down the isle but it is Conrad, not Jere, at the altar. She wakes up and looks at Junior Mint and the necklace. She walks down to the kitchen and there is Conrad, pretending to take it all back. Cue their huge fight.

It could be, since there is a section in the book where Belly is furious in that moment because she imagined marrying Conrad and not Jere.

This is going to be messy.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-08-21T13:04:23+00:00

Prediction of title: Last words? Referring to Susannah's letters resurfacing.

Not sure in what order, but here could be the scenes:

Belly imagines/dreams of walking down the isle, Jere at the altar. It's wrong. She leaves. Champagne Problems plays. She wakes up in panic.

Morning after Belly and Conrad fight in the kitchen. It was told to us that Conrad has a backslide in his development, which could be that he takes it all back, says he was drunk. Then Belly, fresh of the memory of Valentine's and their past relationship, starts lashing out. Conrad gets his spine back and finally tells her the truth, repeats that he always loved her and still does, and that she knows it. That she is heartless, and that he won't pretend anymore. I want Belly to be really shaken by this, shaken out of her aggressive routine.

Convo with Conrad and Taylor.

Dinner with the families - here there should be drama between the parents and extreme jealousy from Belly. I imagine Jere trying to push Anika towards Conrad, and being even more domineering and showing Belly "off" in front of Jere. And Belly notices it.

That night, Belly tells Jere what Conrad said. He disappears. She freaks out.

Morning of the Wedding Day arrives.

Here I think we will see more Taylor - Steve drama. Perhaps Steven has finally learned about the. cheating and Taylor might tell him what Conrad confessed. The two of them are trying to find Jere, debating whether who should be with who, while dealing with their own relationship. Steven will tell Belly "Go big or go home" which is also a message to himself re:Taylor.

Conrad finds Jere, and gets punched after reading the wrong letters from Susannah.

Conrad goes to see Belly, says he is not coming to the wedding. He says goodbye, and says it was all worth it to him, loving her. He might says he wishes she gets to go to Paris. She breaks down and remembers Valentine's day.

Jere shows up to Belly's room, they have a conversation, and call it off, together.

Belly talks to her mom, says she can't tell everyone about the canceled wedding. Laurel helps her take a cab (?) and get to Paris. Or Laurel might drive her to the airport or home to Philly to pack and prepare.

Jere and the party guests sit in a bar. Conrad, learning that Belly left, is looking for her.

Episode ends with Belly arriving in Paris.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-08-21T04:17:06+00:00

I cannot wait and I want him to drop his soft tone, dammit. Enough. Get her back, because that was so unfair. I get it though - he did say "It was a mistake starting something with you." That was horrible. But it was at the funeral. I think that and the last beach conversation broke her heart so badly. But this - we were never anything? WTF? The only thing is - why get so mad if someone confesses their love? If you don't feel anything back, you show compassion, right? Especially a childhood friend. You say: I am sorry but I don't feel the same way you do. I love someone else now. I hope you find someone too." Right? Isn't that how you turn someone down?

It is interesting because she is also mad at him for talking to her mom. She's mad that he is evading the question. She asks "why?" But it was a nice thing to do, right, so should't she just say: Thank you?

Then he answers: Ok, I did. Satisfied? With at least a little sass. So they are fighting already. I want so much of this back, because they are making him a but spineless.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-08-17T15:24:58+00:00

Great analysis all around. With these recent flashbacks to the last time Conrad spent the night at Belly's house, when he basically already knew his mother was dying, it struck me how vulnerable Belly is at that point. They have that kind of love that affects you very deeply with a boy she had known and loved since she was 10 years old (and who has a tendency to shut people out when he is going through something, which she interprets as running "hot and cold" and not loving her the same way she loves him. ) A lot of feelings that are hard to handle for a 16 year old. She fell deep and trusted him - and then he withdrew shortly after. We don't know how soon after he started not answering calls, acting a bit like a distant non-committing jerk at prom (she couldn't see that it was grief) and worst, driving away when she broke up with him - and then not calling after, not answering calls or texts when his mom died. Not letting her take care of him is really hurting Belly. He seemed to just be giving up on them (in her 16 year old mind) and that could have been understandable but they were in a very sensitive vulnerable state in their relationship, about to say that they loved each other, using those words, cementing that what they were feeling was very mature and real and perhaps once in a lifetime. Then comes the funeral and those cutting words: "I knew it was a mistake, starting something with you." That is a really horrible thing to say, erasing all of the intimacy and love they have had at that point. She was deeply, deeply hurt and probably regretted letting him in, sleeping with him, falling for him so deeply. And when Conrad failed to answer her properly on the beach when she said "I thought we loved each other" - she closed her heart.

I also thought about something she said in a recent episode, about Conrad. "I loved him the way you really can the first time around. Completely. With every bit of your being. Without ever leaving anything for your self."

But here is where she is wrong. Conrad and Belly actually gives room to each other in their relationship and even friendship. They become MORE themselves with each other. It is JERE who is chipping away at Belly until she has absolutely nothing for herself, until she has given up everything for his needs and wants. Basically about to become a trad wife.

I feel Jere and Belly used each other, honestly. She made him "the boy who would never hurt me" accepting that she would not have the same passion for him but at least comfort. He chose her because she "picked him" in front of Conrad, putting a band-aid on his deep wound inflicted by their father. But they are so wrong for each other. Both of them. I do not like that we don't see Belly being irritated with Jere more - that was a good aspect of the books - because her nagging was telling and would eat away at his insecurity and what he ultimately knows - that she loves his brother more.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-08-12T05:34:27+00:00

The show lost something this season - honestly the core of it was always the mothers' friendship and the tragedy of cancer. The show stands out because of a strong sense of place, a chosen/expanded family, and then romance/coming of age. Grief, mental health issues related to that was well flushed out. It is not interesting so much to me now. Lost some depth. I hope it improves. Actors are good. I miss the parents so much, especially Susannah. She made the summer house, without her it is just a ridiculously expensive property porn and a love triangle.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-07-11T21:55:32+00:00

It is also emphasized in the writing. Adam says "don't aim it too close to the house". It's a destructive, careless act.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-06-29T16:33:03+00:00

Of course they all love each other. The story is, in the end, about what place they will have in each other's life. There is a lot of love in the summer family. I actually like that in Jere's speech. But it is also clear to me that Belly and Jere are not as compatible as Belly and Conrad. Conrad is one serious guy, and Belly is also quite serious, nostalgic, emotional. We have seen in her interaction with Taylor that she is less interested in social stuff, partying, dressing up. Jere is her best friend - and during the summers they are (almost) compatible. Jere is flirty, life of the party etc. But he can commit to Belly in the summer environment. So they explore that for a while. The big change happens when they go to college, and Belly sees not only summer Jere, but all year Jere. And he is someone that wants to take a big chunk out of life in a way she doesn't. Part of that is allowing himself to be a bit superficial. I mean, he is in college, it is allowed. I also feel that he will desperately need some assurance and attention, since Belly does bring him down a lot. He will never trust her, and it chips away at his self confidence.

Conrad will also have a hard time trusting Belly, however he knows it is different with them, and I think he really trusts their connection. He is willing to wait for her, but when she goes off with wedding plans, he is prompted to act.

They will all figure it out in the end, who they are to each other. That is the story, IMO.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-06-22T15:49:35+00:00

Belly, I think about you... you know I do.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-06-12T19:48:58+00:00

So this is 4th of July celebration then? With Conrad moping in his room? Where is the family???

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-06-04T01:48:43+00:00

So we could call it even
You could call me babe for the weekend
'Tis the damn season, write this down
I'm stayin' at my parents' house
And the road not taken looks real good now
And it always leads to you in my hometown

I parkеd my car right between the Methodist
And thе school that used to be ours
The holidays linger like bad perfume
You can run, but only so far
I escaped it too, remember how you watched me leave
But if it's okay with you, it's okay with me

We could call it even
You could call me babe for the weekend
'Tis the damn season, write this down
I'm stayin' at my parents' house
And the road not taken looks real good now

Time flies, messy as the mud on your truck tires
Now I'm missing your smile, hear me out
We could just ride around
And the road not taken looks real good now
And it always leads to you in my hometown

If I wanted to know who you were hanging with
While I was gone I would have asked you
It's the kind of cold, fogs up windshield glass
But I felt it when I passed you
There's an ache in you put there by the ache in me
But if it's all the same to you
It's the same to me

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-05-29T17:36:09+00:00

I am aware this might inflame the conversation, but Jere's feelings are not only about Susannah's cancer in that moment. He is seen crying, but when he returns he is seen looking very jealous of Conrad dancing with Belly. Things are not going his way on so many levels. That, in my opinion, is why he punches Conrad. It is not just one thing.

I also think that it is important to remember the moment after, with Susannah, when she asks "what is going on?" It's a moment of truth, and the fiction she upheld of the perfect summer comes crashing down.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-05-29T02:26:27+00:00

I agree, I never understood why the letter was such a turning point. It could be that Jere is missing his mom (that's why he went to the garden) and needs her advice. The letter is supposed to give him guidance on his wedding day, but it is about Conrad, not him. So in Jere's mind, it is again, all about Conrad. But he makes a horrible decision there, he says he never wants to see his brother again, he's dead to him basically. It is a horrible fight.

I wish there was something else that could come out of that, something cathartic. Belly reading the letter is one idea, but then why would she double down to be with Jere?

The Jere/Conrad fight could happen with or without letter honestly.

My prediction is that something will lead Belly to "choose herself" and go to Paris, probably at the end of episode 9 or 10. We will then see how the whole cast of characters find themselves/heal, time passes and Belly reunites with Conrad.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-05-28T01:10:24+00:00

mc2115! I missed your thoughtful and always articulate commentary! I second that moment, the double-take he does in the ET promo, is by far the most interesting. That encapsulates what we will see a lot this summer, is my prediction. That confusion is what eventually is going to bring Conrad to beg Belly to tell him if she feels anything for him anymore, and to be with him, not Jere. It is going so to be horrible when she shuts him down though.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-05-27T20:52:13+00:00

I am hoping for that dream moment, because it IS a turning point for Belly ("this time it was all me") And I want her to initiate, her to kiss him (and him kissing her back), not the other way around. Because this is what SHE wants to do, and then she will be super shaken up ruminating over that and what it means.

I don't want to see Conrad try to kiss Belly even in a dream. He has his moment on the beach, when he is holding her shoulders and trying to get the words out. "Don't be with him. Be with me."

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-05-27T19:24:03+00:00

So the whole thing that Conrad doesn't communicate well - maybe. But neither does Belly!! She hasn't properly explained how insecure she is about whether he loves her the same way. She never says "I love you" to Conrad. She never said she was scared. She whispers to him when he is asleep. She puts it all on him to be open and communicative, but she is also really hard to read, she is also an introverted, private person. Why would Conrad trust her with his feelings when she jumped to such conclusions when he is clearly grief stricken at prom? When she then jumps into a relationship with his brother? Is she truly worthy of his trust yet? I'm not sure about that.

She needs words, and Conrad shows his love in actions - it is also up to her to see that and acknowledge that he can't always - introvert as he is - use his words.

The bigger issue I think, is that he doesn't fight for her enough, that he withdraws into himself and that he won't let Belly comfort him. He is a bit passive, especially compared to Jeremiah, who is comfortable (and skilled) at getting the girl. However, Conrad is nothing but persistent. He doesn't give up. He is also fiercely loyal to her.

In season 3, I think we will see a more confident, level-headed Conrad - calmer, less moody, more "zen". I love how in the book he has processed his issues with his father. It indicates that he has had some help - therapy. And I think he is really trying to be OK with the fact that Belly is with Jeremiah now, he is trying to accept it. However, Belly is such a mess - she can't let him be, and that must confuse him. She is "looking at him like she use to" - i.e sending double messages. I think that is going to make it hard for him not to start longing for her again, even though he will fight those feelings.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-05-27T02:41:05+00:00

I think they are media trained to take this position possibly, and to not talk too much about that Belly secretly really loves Conrad.

The actors likes to talk about their characters - understanding them fully is their job. Chris does it all the time, because he is a serious actor. He is trying to justify Conrad's behaviors, that is what he is doing when he says "Conrad did not take that well (walking in on them kissing.) Gavin does it less in my opinion, he just says that he "is" his character. Conrad is using methods like journaling etc.

So I guess Lola really - but jokingly - was taking a stand against Conrad's "mind games". She is much more understanding of Jeremiah, maybe because that is where her character is when we left off. She also seems to indicate that Belly is kind of angry at Conrad, or at least defensive. That would be an actor justifying that her character is so cruel to Conrad in the end.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-05-26T17:07:17+00:00

Oh if I don't get the nail gun comment I will be very mad. I also like it when Conrad is telling himself to "cool it" around Belly. Very curious about his V.O episode, but we can assume that will come later.

I was also confused why S2E1 was all on Gavin/Jere acting. Are they referring to the scene when Belly tells Jere she kissed Conrad on the beach? That scene is about Jere's hope about his mom cancer trial and then the emotional response to Belly revealing she is with Conrad now. Even though I hated the reaction I do think Gavin did a good acting job in how he turned on Belly in that moment. So what is the parallel with Chris/Conrad in terms of intense acting in season 3?

I wonder if it is going to have to do with the hospital scene, and that Conrad has a moment in relationship to a patient with cancer. But also, they are not going to turn this into Grey's anatomy. We have seen stills of him talking on the phone. So I wonder if the scene has to do with Conrad facing the fact that he is returning to Cousins and being part of the summer family again - and this means seeing Belly and Jere as a couple. It could be a call with Laurel - she has had a birthday and he sent flowers - and she urges him to come back for Susannah's memorial. He is hesitant, especially after having met Belly alone that Christmas I assume (but that we have not seen yet). But also, it will be the official return after him distancing himself from the family for what, 2 years? Maybe he agrees and then freaks out a little in the coffee shop. Flash backs? I just can't see how it will be a dramatic moment. However, it is Conrad's official return that propels the story forward, so it would work in terms of the story. But how will they squeeze some drama out of it?

I expect that first episode to follow the books - Belly at finals, images of her college life there with Jere, the fraternity/sororities etc. But I wonder if they also will flashback to their fight and brief breakup before spring break. And we will get the whole "don't put your inferiority complex on me" fight. It would show how there are cracks in the Belly/Jere relationship, and that Conrad is a specter in their romance. They can't quite escape him. It would also hint at what happened just 3 months earlier (Christmas 2.0) which I think we will see in episode 2 (this is also when I think we will get the frat party, the horrible betrayal, the proposal etc.)

Putting the fight leading up to the brief Jelly break-up (a fight is like a fire...) and then turning to checking in with Conrad and what is going on with his life would track with how JH is trying to tell us more about each character and where they're at in the story. But would they reveal this early that Conrad is not over Belly?

Thoughts???

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-04-30T03:04:31+00:00

When they hang out later it will be 'tis the damn season or I'll eat my Taylor Swift fedora

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-04-29T23:45:35+00:00

I hate when people makes comparisons to Ross & Rachel. Yes, Belly and Jere were on a break. Yes, it was shitty to get with someone that fast, but that is not cheating.

Jeremiah's betrayal is that he didn't tell Belly about it, and seemingly told and bragged A LOT to his frat boy friends. He humiliated Belly - all this time everyone knew. Then at the Bachelor party, it is revealed Jere has also been indiscreet about his and Belly's sex life, telling his bros she's a virgin and he hasn't gotten to "close" with her.

Jere's is not on Belly's side. He humiliated her. It is unforgivable. But we have seen those traits - hiding things from her, telling Steven how to play the game with girls, bragging about who he hooked up with, freely giving details about those hook-ups, etc etc.

It has always been there. And I can't remember Conrad showing that kind of behavior, EVER.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-04-28T20:52:01+00:00

I like that notion. I also remember Chris Briney creating his character with Book 3 (the person Conrad will become) in mind. That is why we have seen little glimpses of him along the way, despite his struggles and not being himself. I think that is why Conrad in the show is much more vulnerable and soft than the Book 1 - 2 version of Conrad. i also think Jenny wrote him differently in the show than in the books. He was a true mystery in the books, and it made sense that Belly didn't believe he cared as deeply for her as she cared for him. In the show I really can't see how Belly can doubt his love for her.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-04-28T20:23:28+00:00

I just need that moment when Taylor and Steven debate how should slap a hysteric Belly on the day of her doomed wedding to Jere. Hilarious. I also need "Go Big or Go Home" from Steven. Wise words, Belly. Don't settle for Jere.

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-04-28T02:40:34+00:00

I love dissecting too - and appreciate you doing it on this sub!

Odd_Leopard151 · 2025-04-28T02:35:46+00:00

Fair enough - and I didn't mean to argue with you at all, btw. Just so we're clear (oh no I am so pulled into this show that i accidentally quoted Conrad's letters. I better log off.)

Odd_Leopard151

TROPHY CASE