Season Analysis

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Season 2 Analysis

Season Woke Score

7.4

out of 10

Season Overview

Belly used to count down the days until she could return to Cousins Beach, but with Conrad and Jeremiah fighting over her heart and the return of Susannah's cancer, she's not sure summer will ever be the same. When an unexpected visitor threatens the future of Susannah's beloved house, Belly has to rally the gang to come together—and to decide once and for all where her heart lies.

Season Review

Season 2 shifts from a lighthearted summer romance into a vehicle for modern social signaling. The narrative prioritizes a diverse, intersectional cast where traditional roles are sidelined in favor of gender fluidity and emotional subjectivity. While the plot revolves around saving a family home, the actual substance is found in the deconstruction of the nuclear family and the elevation of the teenage girl as the ultimate arbiter of truth and morality. The introduction of non-binary characters and the casual acceptance of queer theory elements make it a hallmark of contemporary progressive media.

Categorical Breakdown

Identity Politics7/10

The show employs an intentionally diverse cast where race and heritage are central to the characters' identities. Casting choices deviate from the original source material to prioritize intersectional representation.

Oikophobia4/10

The plot centers on preserving a family legacy, showing some appreciation for the past. However, the conflict often frames older, more traditional family members as obstacles to the progress and happiness of the youth.

Feminism8/10

Female characters drive the plot and make all major decisions while the male leads serve as emotional foils. The narrative focuses on the girl's desires and autonomy, often portraying the young men as emotionally reactive or incompetent.

LGBTQ+9/10

The season introduces a non-binary character and prominently features bisexual identities. Gender ideology and alternative sexualities are treated as fundamental, unquestioned norms within the social circle.

Anti-Theism6/10

Faith and religion are completely absent from the story. Characters process grief and moral dilemmas through a lens of emotional relativism and self-discovery rather than any transcendent or objective moral code.