Why Jeremiah Fisher From The Summer I Turned Pretty Is Not As Bad As You Think

Jenny Han's The Summer I Turned Pretty is all the rage with social media discourse positioning it as the most binge-worthy show of the season. For those who have not watched the show, it revolves around Isabel 'Belly' Conklin and her love triangle with the Fisher brothers. But when it comes to the web series, one of the most polarising debates isn’t about Belly’s coming-of-age journey or Susannah’s heartbreaking illness—it’s about the boys. Specifically: Team Jeremiah vs. Team Conrad. The fandom has largely split into two camps, with Conrad often painted as the brooding, misunderstood ‘true love’, while Jeremiah is dismissed as the golden retriever boyfriend who was ‘never really serious’. But as the show progresses, a closer look at Jeremiah reveals a character who deserves far more credit than he’s given. If anything, Jeremiah isn’t as bad as you think—he’s the glue holding the story together.

Here's Why Jeremiah From TSITP Isn't The Villian

We list all the reasons that make Jeremiah the unsung hero of the coveted series.

Jeremiah Loves Openly, Not Guardedly

Conrad’s brand of love is all repression: he broods, he withdraws, and he only speaks when he’s at a breaking point. Case in point: the beach confession where he admits to loving Belly right before her wedding with Jeremiah. While I agree that intensity has its allure, it often leaves Belly confused, frustrated and hurt. On the other hand, Jeremiah wears his heart on his sleeve.

From the very first season, we see him communicate his feelings honestly, even when it’s difficult. In season one, he admits his romantic feelings to Belly instead of playing mind games. By doing so, he risks rejection, but he prioritises honesty over pride.

That kind of vulnerability often gets him labeled as ‘too easy’ compared to Conrad’s tortured complexity. But in reality, Jeremiah’s openness is a strength—it shows he knows how to express love in a way that makes his partner feel secure.

 

 

 

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He’s The Emotional Anchor

When Susannah’s cancer battle dominates the Fisher family’s summer, Jeremiah steps up in ways that are easy to overlook. While Conrad retreats into himself, Jeremiah is the one comforting his mother, checking in on Belly, and trying to hold the fragile family dynamic together. In season two, when Susannah passes, Jeremiah doesn’t just grieve privately—he takes on the role of the emotional caretaker. This emotional labour is often invisible, but it’s the backbone of the family’s survival. Jeremiah may not brood in shadows or say cryptic lines that keep fans swooning, but he’s doing the unglamorous work of being there for the people he loves.

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His Mistakes Are Human, Not Malicious

Critics of Jeremiah often point to his so-called manchild behaviour and impulsiveness—cheating on Belly in Cabo, wanting a flamboyant cake for his wedding, or even being a party boy. But these aren’t signs of being a ‘bad person’; they’re signs of being human. He is young, navigating grief, love and identity all at once. Unlike Conrad, who cloaks his flaws in stoicism, Jeremiah’s mistakes are out in the open for everyone to judge.

Take the scene where Jeremiah confronts Belly of still loving Conrad and calls off the wedding. He doesn’t guilt-trip her or lash out—he admits he’s hurt but ultimately he understands Belly’s predicament and lets her go. That emotional maturity is rare in the best of men, especially for someone his age. If anything, Jeremiah deserves empathy for being transparent enough to show his vulnerabilities, instead of weaponising them.

 

 

 

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He Brings Light To A Heavy Story

The Summer I Turned Pretty is steeped in melancholy—Susannah’s illness, the tension between brothers and the intensity of first love. Without Jeremiah, the show risks sinking into unrelenting despair. His humour, playfulness, and warmth balance out the darker themes. Whether he’s joking with Steven, organising group activities, or lightening a tense moment, Jeremiah provides the levity that makes the story bearable.

It’s easy to underestimate the role of joy in storytelling, but Jeremiah reminds us that resilience isn’t just about surviving pain—it’s also about remembering how to laugh through it.

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The Case For Team Jeremiah

Loving Jeremiah doesn’t mean hating on Conrad; the show thrives precisely because both brothers offer different visions of love. But dismissing Jeremiah as a shallow or less ‘serious’ option does him a disservice. He is open where Conrad is closed off, supportive where Conrad is distant, and joyful where Conrad is solemn. He may not embody the traditional ‘tragic romance’ archetype, but that doesn’t make his love less real.

In fact, it makes it healthier. Jeremiah shows that love doesn’t have to come with constant heartbreak or cryptic signals. Sometimes, it can look like someone who listens, shows up, and makes you laugh when you need it most.

So the next time you think of Jeremiah Fisher as just the ‘other brother’, remember: without him, there’s no balance, no light, and no real model of healthy love in The Summer I Turned Pretty. He may not be everyone’s first choice, but he’s certainly not as bad as you think.

Image credits: IMDb, Instagram

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