In “The Summer I Turned Pretty“ Season 2 Episode 4, titled “Love Game,” the episode revolves around the struggle to save the beloved Cousins Beach house from being sold. Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) deals with a panic attack, worsened by the news of his acceptance to Stanford, which may lead to him moving away from Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). Steven keeps Conrad’s acceptance secret to protect him from additional stress.
Julia, the real owner of the house, prepares for an open house, prompting the teens to attempt to sabotage it without a clear plan. When the air conditioning cuts out, the open house is canceled, and the teens head to the boardwalk to pass the time. The boardwalk outing turns into a friendly competition between Team Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) and Team Conrad, with various arcade games and challenges.
Throughout the day, Belly has flashbacks to her past, including moments of heartbreak caused by Conrad’s actions when she was younger. The love triangle between Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah resurfaces as they bond during the competition. Meanwhile, Laurel, Susannah’s sister, meets Cleveland and discusses her hidden grief over Susannah’s death, deciding to go on a date with him.
As the competition comes to a tie, a go-kart race is held, which Team Conrad wins, leading to Belly’s punishment of riding the Tower of Terror. Jeremiah offers to accompany her, reminding Belly of his constant support and care. They hold hands during the ride, strengthening their bond.
When the teens return to the summer house, they are shocked to find it completely empty, as Julia had taken advantage of their absence to clear the house of all its belongings. The episode ends with the teens left speechless by the sudden change in the house’s state.
Overall, “Love Game” is a lighthearted episode, focusing on the friendly competition between the characters. However, it also touches on deeper emotional issues, such as Conrad’s panic attacks and Laurel’s hidden grief. The sudden revelation about the emptied summer house adds a twist to the storyline and sets the stage for further developments in “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
