“Cause loving him was red..”
Let’s face it. The Summer I Turned Pretty has turned into a worldwide phenomenon. Thanks to the mastermind behind the beloved franchise–Jenny Han–and book trilogy, the Prime Video series has everyone on the edge of their seats. The thrill of every giddy moment, heartbreaking monologues and subtle homage to your favourite romantic films, this season’s easter eggs have fans posting their own discoveries and interpretations of each episode. While there are many to debunk, there were a few that caught our attention. Whether you’ve missed it or spotted it like we did, these hidden clues planted throughout the show have us kicking and screaming on this generation’s most-talked-about love triangles.
Stay tuned as we continue to update for more noteworthy easter eggs.
All the Easter Eggs We Love from the Summer I Turned Pretty:
Blue vs Red
We’re not surprised if you have already discovered the blue vs red theory. Since the release of the season three trailer, fans were quick to notice the background music of Taylor Swift’s “Daylight” and “Red”.
This takes fans back to analysing the lyrics of “Red”: “Losing him was blue, like I’d never known” and “but loving him was red”. With the idea of this theory planted in our minds, it was hard not to miss this clue peppered throughout the series.
For instance, Belly dons a series of blue outfits when she’s with Jeremiah. However, during her unexpected reunion with Conrad in Cousins over Christmas break, Belly flaunts a red pyjama set. This later trickles onto the hydrangea blooms surrounding the Cousins’ home, clearly showing the blues are in full bloom when Jeremiah is around. However, hints of red flowers continue to spread–a symbol of Belly and Conrad’s rekindled fire as the show progresses.
The show pays homage to the 1954 film Sabrina.
Prime Video
Taking you back to the season three cover art, the trio were seen posing just like how Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden were famously photographed as a brother love triangle–similar to Belly and the Fisher brothers.
Getty Images
Belly and Conrad’s scenes take inspiration from “Gilmore Girls” and “The Notebook“.
If you grew up loving Jess Mariano (played by Milo Ventimiglia), then welcome to the club. Gilmore Girls fans will immediately clock in the famous Jess line from the series. In episode 7 of Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Conrad and Belly have a heated argument on the beach. Conrad chases Belly on the beach and confesses, “Belly, your wedding’s at freaking country club? Who are you?”
Prime Video
This relates to Jess and Rory’s iconic scene, where Jess states the truth about Rory’s current reality. “What are you doing? Living at your grandparents’ place, being in the DAR, no Yale.. Why did you drop out of Yale?”
That’s not all. Conrad keeps himself occupied by fixing the one place they love the most. With subtle nods to The Notebook, we see Conrad repairing the roof, just like Noah. Ultimately, Conrad’s traits mimic Noah’s character from the movie –an extreme yearner–with them sharing an intimate dinner after Belly’s wedding shopping errands that mirrors Allie and Noah’s iconic dinner scene.
Prime Video
The crossword puzzle that pays tribute to a Jenny Han novel.
It all happened at Cousins. Belly and Conrad had an unexpected meet-up at their most sacred place in the world. Shown in episode two, the Christmas reunion (that everyone loved) shows Belly reading a note left by Conrad, attached to a crossword puzzle.
As the camera pans to one of the clues, it reads, “Novel by author Jenny Han, P.S I ____ Love You”. With the word “Still” appearing to have been erased by Conrad, Belly fills it out–a homage to Han’s iconic trilogy and a subtle confession by Conrad to Belly.
Prime Video
Prime Video
The significance of Taylor Swift’s “False God” and “When the Party’s Over”.
Fans were quick to notice that this was not the first time “False God” had appeared on the show. In fact, the song was played in season one when Belly and Conrad almost shared their first kiss on the 4th of July. With the song making its comeback in season three, it gave every fan the opportunity to relive that “butterflies in my stomach” feeling. Thank you, Jenny Han, for bringing this scene to life to perfection.
As “False God” plays, Conrad and Belly nearly kiss after mending to his brutal cut in the bathroom.
Prime Video
As for Billie Eilish’s “When the Party’s Over”, Billie’s version appeared in Season 1, episode 6, when Belly meets Conrad out on the dock. In this scene, we see Belly walking away from Conrad after the Debutante Ball–a sign of her first heartbreak. This time, season three showcases an emotional comeback to this song. Only this time, in James Blake’s version, to signify Conrad’s POV of the song after his heartbreaking monologue with Belly on the beach.
Stay tuned for more updates.
Watch “The Summer I Turned Pretty” on Prime Video.
