Headline: Jackie Chung on a pivotal Laurel-Conrad moment and Belly’s reconciliation in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 episode 6
In the latest installment of The Summer I Turned Pretty, season 3, a long-awaited moment unfolds as Laurel and Belly start to mend their rift just as Belly’s wedding to Jeremiah approaches. The episode centers on a quiet, emotionally charged scene between Laurel and Conrad, orchestrated by Conrad himself to repair the family ties that have frayed under the weight of impending nuptials. Actress Jackie Chung, who plays Laurel, says she hoped this book-to-screen moment would land—and it does, thanks to careful direction, lighting, and the trust she places in showrunner Jenny Han to stay true to the source material.
Chung explained that she kept a close eye on book moments she hoped would translate onscreen, and this sequence stood out because of its tone and space. While not every moment from the books makes it to television, she felt this one deserved to live in the same energy as its page counterpart. Filming the scene with Christopher Briney, who portrays Conrad, Chung highlighted their strong on-screen connection. “He doesn’t even need to speak—you can feel what’s happening in his face,” she said, praising the nuance they bring to Laurel and Conrad’s relationship, a relationship she believes is distinct from other character dynamics on the show.
A central line in the moment—Laurel asking, “What about you? When do you get to be happy?”—is a turning point that Chung says encapsulates the scene’s quiet intensity and depth of feeling. She believes Laurel is firmly “Team Belly,” wanting Belly to grow and find happiness, while recognizing that Conrad harbors feelings for Belly that he’s been quietly carrying. Laurel’s push is less about forcing outcomes and more about encouraging openness so everyone can find their own happiness.
The episode also deepens Laurel’s arc beyond being a parent constrained by wedding stresses. Chung says Laurel’s journey this season is about becoming her own person and learning to be the parent she wants to be—moving away from the past co-dependency she shared with Susannah and learning to trust her own instincts, with guidance from people around her, including Conrad at times.
We also learn Chung’s take on Steven and Taylor. Laurel is preoccupied with the Belly situation and recognizes Steven as someone who has his act together—goal-oriented and steady. That stability contrasts with Belly’s more impulsive choices, which Laurel worries could derail the goals Steven has worked toward. The dynamic hints at why Laurel remains cautious about Belly’s decisions, even as she supports her.
The reconciliation between Laurel and Belly unfolds at a bridal shower, a scene Chung describes as emotionally charged and deeply human. The two share a moment that opens the door to healing, with Chung noting the power in looking at one another honestly after a long period of tension. For fans, this moment reinforces the show’s emphasis on family bonds, growth, and the imperfect but enduring love that threads through the series.
What this means for the rest of the season is a lot of emotional terrain as these relationships evolve. Laurel’s evolving parenting style, Belly’s evolving sense of self, and Conrad’s private hopes all set up a web of choices that will continue to shape the season’s arcs. Jenny Han’s leadership as showrunner and author helps keep these book-inspired moments grounded in a tone that feels authentic to the characters’ journeys.
New episodes of The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 release on Wednesdays at 3 a.m. ET/12 a.m. PT on Prime Video.
Summary and takeaways:
– A key, book-rooted moment sees Laurel and Conrad’s bond tested and deepened as he helps repair the rift with Belly.
– Laurel’s growth is central: she’s increasingly her own person, balancing motherhood with personal agency.
– Belly and Laurel’s reconciliation at the bridal shower signals a path toward healing, even as love triangles and wedding plans complicate the dynamics.
– The season continues to lean into character-driven storytelling that aligns with Jenny Han’s book vision, while still delivering fresh, screen-appropriate twists.
Positive note: The episode reinforces the series’ commitment to heartfelt, character-focused storytelling, offering hope that families can navigate conflict and emerge with stronger connections.
If you’d like, I can add a short teaser for what to watch for in the next episodes or craft a companion sidebox with the most-asked fan questions and how the show is addressing them.