The Summer I Turned Pretty has three things going for it by this point. First, the source material: the beloved books by Jenny Han, who’s thankfully very involved in the making and marketing of the Amazon Prime adaptation. Second, the ridiculously good chemistry between Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Taylor (Rain Spencer), who are now single-handedly stealing the spotlight from the familial love triangle at the centre. And finally, the absurdly large music budget. This show knows its audience: adolescents who have the time to queue all day for the barricade at an Olivia Rodrigo concert and late-twenties women vaguely unsatisfied with their dating lives. (Guess which category I fall into.)
The show is especially known for its generous use of Taylor Swift’s discography — a privilege few shows have ever been granted by our blonde overlord. I, for one, will never forget Conrad (Christopher Briney) crossing the dance floor to a heartbroken Belly (Lola Tung) in season 1, backed by The Way I Loved You (Taylor’s Version). Jenny Han later revealed that very song was on her writing playlist. Season 2 kept up the Swiftie momentum, opening with the delicious ache of folklore’s august. In the first three episodes of season 3, we’ve already heard You’re Losing Me, Daylight, and Red (Taylor’s Version). We are being fed.
But it’s not just Swifties who are being served — at this point, the soundtrack is a pop girlie’s fever dream. I’m not complaining. It basically mirrors my Spotify algorithm. But I was caught off guard when Chappell Roan suddenly appeared in episode 1 of season 3… twice.
First, the cheerleader-core anthem HOT TO GO! soundtracks a sorority-fraternity sports day, where Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Belly are all smiles during a three-legged race, surrounded by the toned glory of Greek life. Later in the episode, Conrad has a vulnerable moment with his new friend Agnes (Zoé De Grand Maison) as he opens up about losing Belly to his brother, triggering a flashback to him awkwardly fifth-wheeling Jeremiah, Belly, Taylor, and Steven — all underscored by Good Luck, Babe!
ERIKA DOSS