The Summer I Discovered Pretty

'We'll Always Have Summer.'

I know, Amazon has been airing the teen drama The Summer I Turned Pretty premiered in 2022, but I put off watching until this week.   I sort of tired out of teen dramas awhile ago, and had little to no interest in starting another one.  Streaming services also hare hit and miss on sticking with shows, and I didn't want to start something, only to be disappointed with it's abrupt ending.

Two things however, recently changed my mind.  First off, I finally ticked it off my list and binged Heartstopper.  I LOVED Heartstopper.  I went into withdraw when it ended as I so loved visiting the world writer Alice Oseman created.  Then, last week, there was a collage of pics titled 'Amazon's million faces ' that made it's way across Twitter.  Among the faces was one especially pretty one that I had to image search on Google.

The Fisher Brothers

The face I searched belonged to actor Christopher Briney as Conrad Fisher on The Summer I Turned Pretty.  That, and finding out the series was also based on a book, a 2009 by the same name by writer Jenny Han.  Seeing that like Heartstopper, the original writer was not only writing the series, but also the creator and showrunner, had me want to give it a shot.  Often, although not always, having the original writer direct the story, helps keep it more grounded and not as quickly diving into as many TV teen drama tropes. 

Keep in mind, I'm only three episodes into the first season, but so glad I gave in and finally watched.  First off, with summer almost over, it's a great way to keep the summer feel alive.  Set in the fictional town of Cousins Beach, in just the few episodes we've been in the pool, at the drive-in, the country club and of course, many trips to the beach.  Actress Lola Tung as Isabel "Belly" Conklin is the perfect center to the story, and enjoy her interactions with all of the other characters.

The male cast are not only hot, but also talented actors.  In addition to Briney, Gavin Casalegno plays Conrad's younger brother Jeremiah and Sean Kaufman plays Belly's older brother.  There's also cutie David Iacono, who is, (I'm guessing temporarily) playing Cam, Belly's current love interest.  I also love the adults and the relationship between the kid's mothers. (Jackie Chung and Rachael Blanchard)  I hope the show continues to balance the adults and teens as so many teen dramas start ignoring the 'parents' after the first season. 

So, without giving any spoilers, I think I know where the story's going, and where things will end up, but we're currently building towards a triangle of Belly with the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah.  Now I'm enjoying Bella with Cam, and love me some of hottie Jeremiah, and although my head stays stick with the nice, (for now) guys, my heart, (and genitals) are pointing at Conrad, the brooding bad boy.   It's nice to start a show knowing there are a full three seasons to enjoy and watch it play out.  Although I've avoided most spoilers, I know to enough the ride isn't going to be as scenic as Bella's beautiful surroundings. 

Christopher Briney on Instagram

Daliland

Although Briney is often shirtless in the series, I think his only nude scene was in 2022's Daliland. The bio-pic of artist Salvador Dali is told through the eyes of James (Briney), a young assistant at a New York gallery who's obliged to assist Dalí (Ben Kingsley) for a gallery show.  James ends up immersed in the unconventional world of Dalí's bohemian lifestyle and his strange marriage to his wife Gala