(Did Conrad and Jeremiahreallyhave to be brothers?)
In protagonist Bellys case, her one true match isspoilerConrad.
I mean, neither brother is abadchoice…
Christopher Briney (Conrad), Lola Tung (Belly), Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah)
But Jeremiah puts on the brave face foreveryone.
Its simply not sustainable, and Belly will inevitably get swept up as collateral damage.
A few weeks ago I came across a clip from some long-ago talk show that made me stop mid-scroll.
I mean, neither brother is abadchoice…
Because arent they the person who deserves it the most?
Jeremiah is a people pleaser, a young man that still has a lot of soul searching to do.
Right now he wants Belly, and hes focused on nothing other than being the best for her.
Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah), Lola Tung (Belly)
But for him, being good with people is as much a game as it is a skill.
Hes giving his best to all people, all the time, and doesnt that just sound exhausting?
And there are already casualties.
Lola Tung (Belly), Christopher Briney (Conrad)
ButConradonly cares about wearing the brave face for Belly.
He doesnt always succeed, but his attention is singular and determined.
For Conrad, there isntand couldntbe anyone else.
Thats not to say that Conrad isnt a jerk sometimes.
I mean, of course he is.
But did I mention hes only 19?
Hes only just crossed over into legal adult territory, and hes theoldestof all the core characters.
Meanwhile, Im in my 30s.
Ive dated Conrads and Ive dated Jeremiahs.
And Id rather date a broody Conrad than Homecoming King Jeremiah.
Belly, on the other hand, is a 16-year-old who has never dated anyone.
And in season two, that fact becomes exceedingly clear.
Of course shes not going to make good decisions.
Hethinksthat hell never be good enough for her, that hes too broken to be a good boyfriend.
Again, its a dumb thought.
But he leaves with the best, albeit misguided, intentions.
Because he loves her.
Hell learn that relationships arent as black-and-white as they seem when youre a teenager.
Hell learn to take care of himself, on his own, first.
The one thing that wont change?
His devotion to Belly.
Jeremiah, too, will mature.
Hes a great catch, but hes no Conrad.
I stand by Conrad, no matter how thick-skulled he may be.
