The Summer That Freed Me from Teen Dramas

There’s just something about the low-stakes teen dramas that nourishes our soul. Is it a connection to our childhood, a reminder of how the shows we watched influenced our journey in this world? It’s comforting to me, even at this age; I don’t think I will ever outgrow a good TV triangle, and a bit of banter between the lockers. Dawson’s Creek, 90210, One Three Hill, My So-Called Life, I’m powerless to it. It’s my ultimate feel-good indulgence.

This summer, a new TV triangle rolled into town. The Summer I Turned Pretty, an adaptation of Jenny Han’s popular young adult novel. The title held promise, and with my old favorites having been rewatched countless times, I was eager for something new. Also, I was curious to see how this genre is evolving in the current era of television.

The premise of the series revolves around a girl named Belly Conklin, who spends her summers at a beach house with her mother and her mother's best friend's family. The plot focuses on her relationships with two boys, Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, who are part of her mother's best friend's family. The series delves into the dynamics between Belly, Conrad, Jeremiah, and other characters as they navigate their feelings for one another and the changes that come with growing up.

Pencil the summer of 2023 as The Summer I Got Cured. I can’t anymore. I’m too cynical for this. I’m tired. I’m also over the trope of the female character being portrayed as stable and self-assured while the male character is depicted as troubled and conflicted, leading to multiple seasons of unpacking his relatively ordinary problems.