The Summer I Turned Pretty, the hit Prime Video series based on Jenny Han’s popular YA novels, has inspired one of the biggest teen ship wars since Dean and Jess on Gilmore Girls. (Just kidding! I can’t think of anyone who was Team Dean, so this one’s way more intense. Plus, it’s between two BROTHERS. Gasp!)
Pining over their pal Isabella “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) are Conrad (Christopher Briney), the brooding, emotionally unavailable Fisher brother who’s been called “Jess Mariano in a different font,” and Jeremiah, the cheery, occasionally immature younger brother who’s been compared to a loyal Golden Retriever.
In TSITP Season 1 I was admittedly Team Jere, but I absolutely saw the appeal in Team Conrad. He’s got the quiet, dreamy thing going on. He’s deep and self-destructive. And he’s a more withdrawn heartthrob, who gives intriguing glimpses of his softer side around Belly. But in Season 2, the Conrad charm is history. If you’re not Team Jeremiah this time around, you’re simply wrong.
Before Team Conrad comes to fight, please know I’m not denying Briney’s character has potential. I’ve seen him in peak crush mode in Season 2 flashbacks, carrying on thoughtful phone conversations for hours, sipping hot cocoa, and freely frolicking on the snowy beach. But flashbacks also revealed he left Belly sobbing on prom night, and later told her dating was a huge mistake. In present-day Season 2 scenes, that boy is capital-R Rude. And though everyone is understandably grieving the loss of Susannah, Conrad — the only one in college — consistently acts the most immature.
In early Season 2 episodes, Conrad’s poor communication sends Jeremiah and Belly into a panic. They fear he’s in danger because he ditches school during finals and ghosts everyone. Turns out, he’s safe! He’s just selfishly isolating anyone who cares for him in his time of need. Classic! When Belly reminds Jere that “Conrad just pushes people away when he needs them most,” the youngest Fisher brother perfectly sums up my feelings with, “There’s only so many times I can take being pushed. It’s fucking exhausting.”
At the start of Episode 4, we learn Conrad’s been having panic attacks more frequently since his mom passed. And I feel for him. I do. But, god, it’d be much easier if he sought help rather than being consistently cruel to those around him. If anyone should be furious at Belly and a Fisher brother in Season 2 by the way, it’s Jere. But aside from giving Belly an initially chilly welcome, he steps up and takes the high road this season.
“You were my best friend! We hooked up! Then you hooked up with my brother and everyone expected me to be fine, and I wasn’t,” Jere cries to Belly. And let me just ask you, where’s the lie? I’ve seen a number of Team Conrad stans bashing Jere for telling Belly that Conrad would break her heart after she came clean about their Season 1 kiss, but again, where’s the lie?!
Four episodes in, I’m impressed with Jere’s emotional intelligence. And Season 2 is doing a standout job of establishing his chemistry with Belly. From telling glances in the present to flashbacks that remind us Jere has always been there for her, I ship them more and more with each episode. And their electric, swoon-worthy hand holding on the Tower of Terror? I squealed. I swooned. I rewound…twice.
I admit I haven’t read The Summer I Turned Pretty book series, but I have looked up Book 3 spoilers for work. And without giving too much away, I’ll just say that although the twist doesn’t track for me right now, I get why so many book lovers would be firmly Team Conrad. I’ll cross that bridge if the series stays true to Han’s story. But if we’re gathered here today to deem one Fisher brother more crushworthy than the other in Season 2 and Season 2 alone, there’s only one right answer: Jeremiah.
Note: This article will be updated weekly after each new episode, so be sure to check back for Decider’s most up-to-date Team Jeremiah argument.
The Summer I Turned Pretty is streaming on Prime Video. New Season 2 episodes premiere weekly on Fridays.