Amazon Prime Video’s hit coming-of-age drama The Summer I Turned Pretty has been the talk of social media once again, thanks to the explosive Episode 9 of Season 3. What was supposed to be an emotionally rich continuation of Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah’s tangled love triangle quickly turned into a heated online debate as fans called out Jeremiah Fisher’s hypocrisy.
X (formerly Twitter) erupted with posts, memes, and sharp criticisms about Jeremiah’s behavior, sparking renewed discussions about loyalty, love, and betrayal in the show’s central relationships. While the series has always thrived on its intense character-driven drama, this episode struck a particular nerve with viewers who felt Jeremiah’s actions contradicted his words.
Episode Recap: What Happened in Season 3, Episode 9?
Episode 9 built on the rising tensions of the season. Belly continued navigating her fragile relationship with Conrad while still confronting the emotional baggage of her bond with Jeremiah. Conrad remained his brooding, complicated self, and Jeremiah, who has long been seen as the “golden boy,” finally showed cracks in his seemingly perfect persona.
In this episode, Jeremiah accused Conrad of selfishness and dishonesty in his treatment of Belly. Yet, almost immediately, Jeremiah’s own behavior revealed inconsistencies—he displayed jealousy, acted manipulative in subtle ways, and seemed to prioritize his feelings over Belly’s choices.
This double standard did not go unnoticed. Fans were quick to point out that Jeremiah, who often paints himself as the considerate alternative to Conrad, is guilty of the same flaws he condemns in his brother.
Why Fans Are Calling Jeremiah a Hypocrite
The outpouring of criticism on social media largely centered on three key moments in Episode 9:
- Jeremiah Accusing Conrad of Manipulation
Jeremiah accused Conrad of emotionally manipulating Belly, yet his own words and actions came across as emotionally coercive. Fans felt Jeremiah’s protective behavior slipped into controlling territory. - Jealousy Overshadowing Empathy
While Jeremiah has consistently been portrayed as the more understanding brother, his jealousy in this episode seemed to take precedence over supporting Belly. Critics argued that his insistence on being the better partner exposed the very hypocrisy he projected onto Conrad. - The “Perfect Brother” Image Breaking Down
For two and a half seasons, Jeremiah has been marketed as the warm, reliable alternative to Conrad’s emotional turbulence. However, this episode dismantled that image, showing he too is flawed, insecure, and sometimes selfish.
X Reactions: Fans Sound Off
As soon as the episode dropped, hashtags like #TeamConrad, #JeremiahHypocrite, and #TSITPDrama began trending on X. Some reactions were biting, while others used humor and memes to make their point.
- One user wrote: “Jeremiah calling Conrad manipulative while doing the SAME THING in the next scene is peak hypocrisy. Belly deserves better.”
- Another posted a meme of Spider-Man pointing at himself, captioned: “Jeremiah accusing Conrad of being controlling.”
- A fan of Conrad tweeted: “Conrad may be broody, but at least he owns his flaws. Jeremiah hides behind fake sweetness.”
Even fans who had been firmly Team Jeremiah since Season 1 admitted the cracks in his character were becoming difficult to ignore. Some argued this shift was necessary for the narrative, while others felt betrayed by how the writers were handling his arc.
The Love Triangle Intensifies
The Belly–Conrad–Jeremiah triangle has always been the emotional core of The Summer I Turned Pretty. With every passing season, fans have passionately aligned themselves with either Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah.
Episode 9 reignited this divide, with Team Conrad gaining momentum online. Many pointed out that while Conrad is far from perfect, his struggles stem from real vulnerabilities—his grief, mental health battles, and complicated love for Belly. Jeremiah, on the other hand, was accused of wearing a mask of perfection that crumbled in this episode.
This has led to speculation that the show might ultimately shift toward cementing Conrad and Belly’s romance, echoing the direction of Jenny Han’s original novels.
Character Study: Is Jeremiah Truly a Hypocrite?
While fans were quick to label Jeremiah as hypocritical, a deeper character analysis reveals more nuance.
- Human Flaws: Jeremiah’s contradictory actions may simply reflect his humanity. He is not perfect, and his jealousy exposes a vulnerability viewers hadn’t fully seen before.
- Sibling Rivalry: His hypocrisy might be less about Belly and more about competing with Conrad. His accusations against his brother could stem from deep-rooted insecurities.
- Narrative Development: Writers may be deliberately breaking Jeremiah’s “perfect image” to make him more complex. Every character in TSITP has shown moral grayness—this might just be Jeremiah’s turn.
Thus, while viewers see hypocrisy, others argue that the show is finally giving Jeremiah depth beyond being the “nice guy.”
The Writers’ Intent: Why Break Jeremiah’s Image Now?
Jenny Han, the author of the books and co-showrunner, has always emphasized that The Summer I Turned Pretty is about growing up and confronting uncomfortable truths. In many ways, Jeremiah’s hypocrisy reflects the messy, often contradictory way young people navigate love and relationships.
By exposing Jeremiah’s flaws, the show invites audiences to challenge the idea of “perfect partners” and instead embrace the reality that love involves imperfection. This character development also heightens the drama of the love triangle, making Belly’s eventual choice more compelling.
Social Media’s Role in the Fandom Divide
The TSITP fandom is one of the most vocal communities on X, and Episode 9 demonstrated how quickly discussions can spiral. Entire threads dissected Jeremiah’s dialogue, while video edits contrasting Conrad’s sincerity with Jeremiah’s behavior went viral.
This online discourse has become part of the show’s identity—fans don’t just watch the episodes, they live them, debate them, and meme them in real-time. The divisiveness, rather than weakening the show, seems to fuel its popularity.
Impact on Belly’s Character Arc
While Jeremiah and Conrad steal most of the spotlight, fans also noted how this episode affected Belly’s journey. Instead of being passive in the love triangle, she seemed more aware of the inconsistencies in both brothers. Some believe the writers are pushing Belly toward making a firmer choice, while others suggest she may decide to prioritize self-growth over romance.
Episode 9 framed Belly as more independent than in previous seasons, subtly shifting focus from the boys’ rivalry to her own development.
What This Means for the Season Finale
With only a few episodes left, Episode 9 has set the stage for an explosive finale. The key questions moving forward include:
- Will Belly confront Jeremiah about his hypocrisy?
- Can Conrad redeem his mistakes and prove his love for Belly is genuine?
- Will the writers stick with the book’s ending, or throw in a twist for TV audiences?
Regardless of what happens, the fandom divide is sharper than ever, guaranteeing high engagement for the final episodes.
Conclusion
Episode 9 of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 might be remembered less for its plot twists and more for how it exposed Jeremiah’s hypocrisy. What once seemed like a clean-cut rivalry between “brooding Conrad” and “perfect Jeremiah” has now blurred, making Jeremiah appear just as flawed—and human—as his brother.
While fans on X wasted no time in calling him out, others defended the narrative choice, arguing it adds realism and complexity. In many ways, that is the essence of the show: love is messy, people are imperfect, and growing up means confronting uncomfortable truths.
As the season nears its finale, one thing is clear: The Summer I Turned Pretty continues to captivate audiences, not just on screen but across the fandom’s buzzing social platforms.
FAQs
Q1: What did Jeremiah do in Episode 9 to spark backlash?
Jeremiah accused Conrad of manipulation but then displayed similar behavior himself, leading fans to call him hypocritical.
Q2: How did fans react on X?
Fans used memes, threads, and trending hashtags like #TeamConrad to criticize Jeremiah’s hypocrisy, while some defended him as a flawed but human character.
Q3: Is Jeremiah always portrayed as hypocritical?
No. Earlier seasons built him up as the “nice” alternative to Conrad, but Episode 9 revealed cracks in that image.
Q4: How does this affect Belly’s character?
Belly appears to be growing more independent, with the episode highlighting her awareness of both brothers’ flaws.
Q5: Will the show follow the books in the finale?
While Jenny Han’s novels provide a roadmap, the show has taken creative liberties, so fans are divided on whether it will stick to the original ending.
