A ‘Pulp Fiction’ Dance, ‘The Notebook’ Parallels, And Other Things You May Have Missed

“What have I done?”

With those four words, Jenny Han sent The Summer I Turned Pretty fans into a week-long frenzy as they eagerly anticipated a supersized Season 3, Episode 5 told from Conrad’s (Christopher Briney) point of view.

With an unexpected sex scene and fan-favorite book moments, the fifth episode of the third and final season more than lived up to the hype. And “Last Dance” was extra special, because it also marked Han’s dazzling directorial debut!

Spoilers for The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 5 ahead.

Since Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) was stuck at work ahead of July 4 weekend, Conrad (Christopher Briney) stepped in to help Belly (Lola Tung) with some crucial wedding planning errands. With Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Denise (Isabella Briggs) on a trip to New York, Jere took the opportunity to grow closer to Adam (Tom Everett Scott). Meanwhile, Conrad accompanied Belly to the florist, Michaels craft store, and a roadside peach stand. (IYKYK.) The nostalgic episode was full of flashbacks and echoes, and though Conrad was telling himself it was time to let go, moving on from Belly was impossible when he still saw it all in his head. (Yes, I’m just quoting Taylor Swift’s “Red” now, so let’s cut to the chase!)

Since The Summer I Turned Pretty is such a thoughtfully-crafted love letter to fans, each week until its September 17 finale, Decider will be taking a closer look at each episode and highlighting five moments that deserve to be put under the microscope. Whether they’re blink-and-miss-it details, brilliant Easter eggs, or major scenes that need to be talked through in greater depth, we’re here to obsess over, hypothesize, and dissect the series alongside you. We’re also shouting out a standout needle drop each episode, since the show’s soundtrack absolutely slaps.

From The Notebook parallels and Conrad’s love of Lord of the Rings to Kayleigh, a Pulp Fiction dance, Belly’s bathing suit, and more, here are five things you may have missed in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 5, “Last Dance.”

1. Belly’s Bathing Suit

   Pretty much every Season 3 episode has inspired chats about color symbolism and how “loving him was red.” While that same logic can apply to Belly wearing a red bathing suit and red nail polish in Episode 305’s opening scene with Conrad, we’re here to go deeper, because *Taylor Swift exile voice* I THINK I’VE SEEN THIS SUIT BEFORE. Actually, I know I have! On the right is a screenshot from Season 3, Episode 5, and on the left is a screenshot from Season 1, Episode 4, which shows Belly wearing what appears to be the same bathing suit. For those who need a refresher, Belly wore the suit in Season 1 when her and Conrad ALMOST KISSED on the dock in front of the fireworks. No big deal! And the fact that Episode 305 ends with more fireworks but her and Jeremiah on the dock this time? Could mean nothing!

2. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: The Notebook. Fans have drawn parallels between the series and the 2004 rom-com starring Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, and James Marsden before — like when Belly showed off her ring or Conrad laid down next to her on the floor in 302. But when Episode 305 opened with Conrad FIXING THE ROOF I don’t know how a single soul went on without thinking of Noah. Despite the number for a handy man hanging right in the kitchen, Conrad wanted to fix the house up for Belly’s wedding himself. And later, when he changed into a white t-shirt and khaki pants, I was convinced TSITP‘s costume designer was channeling Big Noah Energy, because he wore that same memorable fit (plus a hat) in the “IF YOU’RE A BIRD, I’M A BIRD” scene. Help?!

   Where to stream the notebook

3. Conrad’s Book Proves He’s Still A Geek (Complimentary)

   In case anyone had any doubts, The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 5 confirmed that Conrad Fisher was (and low-key still is) “a geek.” In the car with Belly, Conrad reminisced over collecting stamps, having a vintage encyclopedia collection (OK, Rory Gilmore), and moderating a “Ring-bearer subreddit” in middle school. For those as confused as Belly was, he went on to explain, “it’s a Lord of the Rings thing.” And while he may not be moderating the subreddit anyone, Conrad’s four-year flashback confirmed that he still stans LOTR. Why? Because the book he was reading in bed before Belly came in and the two had sex was The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien. Our little geek!

4. Kayleigh’s Coming Back

   ICYMI, Season 3, Episode 4 also introduced Emma Ishta’s character Kayleigh, Adam’s secretary at Breaker Capital. If you didn’t clock why that was a such a massive deal, allow us to refresh your memory. In a heartbreaking Season 2 scene, Conrad told Belly about his dad’s affair in a phone call, saying, “Did you know my dad cheated? The first time my mom was sick he had an affair with his secretary. Kayleigh.” *SCREAMS!!!!!!*

   Fans who recognized the name wondered if Kayleigh’s quick 304 appearance would turn into a bigger storyline, and Episode 305 essentially confirmed we haven’t seen the last of Kayleigh. In Book 3, someone named Denise Coletti called from Adam’s office to help Belly plan the wedding, but in Episode 5, Jere told Belly that not only would his dad be paying for the wedding, but, “his secretary Kayleigh will help with the planning — she lives for that kind of stuff.”

   While Conrad and Belly know about Adam’s affair, we’re not getting the sense Jeremiah does yet. So Kayleigh’s involvement in their lives will undoubtedly cause tension within the family as the season progresses. BUCKLE UP! And while we wait to see what’s next for the character, you can learn more about Kayleigh and Emma Ishta here.

5. “Last Dance” (Pulp Fiction Edition)

   For those who haven’t read the books, we’re here to give you the backstory behind Belly and Jeremiah’s “Last Dance” dance scene. And later, we’ll examine the meaning behind the episode’s title.

   Towards the end of Episode 5, Belly said she has a surprise for Jere and started playing “You Never Can Tell” by Chuck Berry. She said it was their first dance song; her wedding gift to him. He replied, “Are you kidding?! You said you hated this idea for weeks!” Belly confirmed and added, “But I love you!” And the fiancés busted a move on the pier under the fireworks. The scene may have seemed like another cute rom-com coded romantic gesture, but the song and dance were a nod to Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film Pulp Fiction, and in Book 3, Jeremiah requested it:

   Jeremiah gulped his beer. “Hey, can we dance to ‘You Never Can Tell’ at the reception?”

   “I don’t know that song,” I said.

   “Sure you do. It’s from my favorite movie: Hint we had the soundtrack on repeat in our frat house media room all semester.” When I still stared at him blankly, Jeremiah sang, “It was a teenage wedding and the old folks wished them well.”

   “Oh yeah. Pulp Fiction”

   “So can we?”

   “Are you serious?”

   “Come on, Bells. Be a sport. We can put it on YouTube. I bet we’ll get a shit ton of hits. It’ll be funny!”

   I gave him a look. “Funny? You want our wedding to be funny?”

   “Come on. You’re making all the decisions, and all I want is this one thing,” he said, pouting, and I couldn’t tell if he was serious or not.Either way, it pissed me off. Plus, I was still pissed he hadn’t made it in time to help me at Michaels.

   Where to stream Pulp fiction

   Before we move on, let’s take a closer look at the episode title. The words “Last Dance,” as Jenny Han shared on her Instagram Story, have several meanings, including a nostalgic last run, a final romantic time together, and more. Judging by Conrad vowing to not slip up and cross a line with Belly again, “Last Dance” could easily apply to their 305 storyline. But considering Chris Briney teased “a double meaning,” could the title also foreshadow that Belly and Jeremiah’s literal dance together was their last, which suggests they might call off the wedding?! Add it to the growing list of possible Conrad endgame clues!

With TWO Otis Redding songs, a Jackson 5 banger, Harry Styles’ “Cherry,” a freaking hit from The Rolling Stones, and more, there were too many noteworthy needle drops in Episode 5 to choose one. So in lieu of our usual winning needle drop, we’re offering a bonus deep dive into the peach scene, which had a very different perspective from the book. Curious what Belly was thinking in the text when Conrad used his shirt to wipe her chin? Read Decider’s peach scene book explainer. And be sure to catch up on Easter eggs from Season 3, Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, and Episode 4 before next week’s episode.

New episodes of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 premiere Wednesdays on Prime Video.