“The Summer I Turned Pretty” is an Amazon Prime TV show featuring Isabel (Belly) Conklin and her ever-evolving love triangle with brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher. The show returned for its third season this summer, with its most recent episode coming out on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
The season’s ninth and newest episode, “Last Call,” picked up off of a very intense ending: Belly boarded her flight to Paris, but not before meeting Conrad’s eyes at the airport terminal. Belly resisted the urge to run back to him and, unexpectedly, chose an option other than either of the Fisher boys. She boarded her flight to the unknown and signaled her growing independence.
On arrival, Belly learns her study-abroad program spot has already been given away — halting her emotionally-driven decision to fly across the country. Before she can properly figure out what to do, her backpack containing her engagement ring is stolen. Thus begins a 30-minute frenzy that leads into a fun adventure for Belly.
Her efforts eventually take her to a nightclub, where Belly’s quick wit helps her rescue a stranger and earn entry. Upon making friends in Paris, she introduces herself as “Isabel,” the first step in shedding old identities and embracing something new.
However, back at Cousins Beach, the rest of her family and friends are still dealing with the emotional blowout of the failed wedding. Jeremiah, in his heartbreak, is hurtfully lashing out at Conrad and even Laurel. His anger seems to increase after getting a phone call where Belly ends things for good. Conrad tries to comfort Jeremiah and make up for the role he played in ruining the wedding, but at the end of the day decides to head back to California.
In contrast to the tense atmosphere, Steven and Taylor finally acknowledge their feelings and recommit to each other – serving as a hopeful subplot that stands in sharp relief to the heavy tension between the Fisher family.
This episode symbolizes a power in finding yourself: the Parisian background embodies the fear when forging a new path, while Belly renaming herself “Isabel” marks a subtle reclaiming of agency.
At its core, the episode is less about romance and more about transition. While earlier seasons were very focused on the love triangle and Belly’s push and pull between Jeremiah and Conrad, the episode shifts the focus toward self-definition and growth. By placing Belly in the unfamiliar environment of Paris — an opportunity she had originally given up for this wedding — the writers force her to confront who she is when she is not tethered to Cousins Beach or the Fisher brothers. This pivot pulls on a long-used theme with love triangles: the female character choosing “herself” over either of her love interests.
“Last Call” stands out as a reflective and richly layered episode that shifts the momentum of the season. Against the backdrop of Paris, Belly begins to reclaim her story — transforming her heartbreak into a journey of independence and self-discovery. Steven and Taylor’s heartfelt reunion provides grounding moments that balance the tension elsewhere. Still, the gap between what fans expected, and the slower pacing of this installment is hard to ignore, leaving some viewers frustrated by its transitional feel and the “filler episode.”
While no proper resolution is formed, “Last Call” does serve as a reset point and holds promise for more in the future.
Rating: 4/5