CRUEL SUMMER Ending Explained (Season 1)

[@Shineonmedia]

Cruel Summer season 2 is airing now! Recap for the first two episodes here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKHGeZJ_rJetbrc

[@meghanniven4950]

Vincent is the only character in this whole series that is for real.

[@im100percentg]

Another pointless gay relationship that had nothing to do with the plot

[@Mickielicious]

im100percentg ☑️ not pointless. Being gay and black in Texas in the 90s was NOT easy

[@niafaith]

@@im100percentg I think it had to do with the plot. Vincent was extremely close to Jeanette and was the only one who stayed by her side the whole time. But because she gonna push him away he needed another companion and that’s where the white boy came in.

[@camryn3164]

He lied for Jeannette

[@clarencegilbert2294]

@@im100percentg thank you!!! I thought I was the only one who saw that

[@briiixo4]

this episode really made me liked jeanette but than the ending happened 💀

[@Shineonmedia]

right? guess she had everyone fooled...scary

[@jessmackiedo6717]

I still knew it was something up with her.. I was like maybe she didn’t see her, but I still think she somehow knew. Then bam the ending.

[@yomomshouse5908]

I can’t believe I actually felt bad for that girl. Girl I got clowned lol.

[@HannahKkim]

Same 😭

[@mrsharp2982]

THANK YOU!!! 😭😭😭😭 I was rooting for her THE ENTIRE SEASON!

[@jessmackiedo6717]

Jeanette is one of those girls that like to look and play innocent and really be like this psycho. She gets a rush on seeing how much she can get away with. I think She hated the fact that Mallory could pick up on it and that’s really why she stopped being friends with her. Hopefully if there is a season two it will show Jeannette trying finally being seen for who she really is. She is sick and obsessed with being popular.

[@chelseaanthappan5784]

Season 2 is coming out 2022 they announced it at the end of the show

[@jessmackiedo6717]

@@chelseaanthappan5784 hopefully maybe it’s a time jump. I really don’t like how they try to make Kate want to be more than Mallory friend with that kiss. I hate when they take a girl who is obviously been through and still going through drama and make them fall for the friend who seems to be there for them through it all. Can she at least learn to heal first rather than jumping into another relationship so fast? Hopefully maybe they are in college and Jeanette does something where people can truly see how sick she really is.

[@kytten4506]

@@jessmackiedo6717 Kate is just a desperate teenager looking for someone to care, that's why she keeps leaping into relationships with people who tell her what she wants to hear. I also think she should try to love her first instead of finding the wrong ones to do it for her but it's really her mother's fault. Even when it came to Jeanette suing her, her mother still was concerned about material and not about her own traumatized child.

[@jessmackiedo6717]

@@kytten4506 you’re right. It’s like she is looking for love in all the wrong places. She has to start with loving herself first, but that’s hard to learn with a mother like she has. I really hope she starts to see she is a beautiful person. Even Mallory said she realized that she wasn’t the stuck up snob she thought she was.

[@ericsmith9241]

Unfortunately all true and I'm was one of Jennette biggest fans big let down

[@vinnie9622]

for a second there i REALLY thought jeanette was innocent… but then that ending- she had everyone fooled

[@destyneeluvene8168]

I was so mad at her at the end but I can’t lie I was fooled since I’ve been rooting for her. It was a really nice twist tho

[@m0lly222]

@@destyneeluvene8168 same I thought she was innocent. And she just had some jealousy

[@rachaelmends3582]

Not everyone 😭 I was team kate always

[@vsaesang2632]

she never lied. she never saw her. just heard her.

[@vsaesang2632]

@@rachaelmends3582 Kate was worse lol

[@RSyed-tu4rn]

As soon as Jeanette said “Kate Wallis, I forgive you” on that TV show, I IMMEDIATELY KNEW HER FACE WAS STILL SUS 😳

[@lanabrown2541]

I always knew jeanette was sus even evers

[@RSyed-tu4rn]

@@lanabrown2541 Exactly, she’s been sus the entire season lol. But in the finale when she apologized on TV, they tried to make her seem like an angel but I knew she was still hiding something!

[@ziggyford8046]

When Jeanette finds out that Kate was found, she immediately jumps to the conclusion that Kate is dead. That's pretty sus.

[@adrianaavila8853]

What the hell does sus mean? You all use it in this thread

[@ziggyford8046]

@@adrianaavila8853 suspicious

[@MegaEthancole]

Did anyone else notice that Jeanette was wearing almost the same exact dress and hairstyle that Kate was wearing in the opening scene when she heard Kate yelling for help from the basement??

[@Shineonmedia]

Woah!!! You’re right. Seee it’s why I needed to see her transformation haha

[@simplyjuannie5128]

Yes. That got me thinking.

[@kiana5576]

It resembles that she's already the new Kate wallis of the town and if Kate's locked up in the basement, it means she's not coming back to get her life. The smirk is the power of having the upper hand in situation, but we've never seen anything going on between Jeanette and Martin, beside a scolding and an introduction scene, so it's gonna be an after thought. I'm guessing the police showing up at Martin's as a potential suspect must have something to do with Jeanette.

[@myafield4039]

@@kiana5576 that’s what I was wondering. Did Jeanette tip off the police? If not who did?

[@francinefidele8216]

Yes and during her interview with Marsha

[@staryspiral3]

It was interesting because Kate actually was wrong (about Jeanette seeing her). Jeanette was able to lie so convincingly because technically she didn't, and a sociopath is able to hold onto a technicality like that and believe their own skewed versions of truth. But yeah, the ending sums up the entire show. Jeanette's smile, and the song lyrics saying "I'm a creep". This is literally the explanation of why she left Kate. She had a moment of conscience where she was reaching for the door handle. But in that instant, she was probably thinking about the power she had and the new, popular life. I don't think she did this because she was afraid she would lose her poplar life, I think she did it to feel more powerful than Kate. Otherwise she wouldn't have smiled

[@Shineonmedia]

Perfect summary/analysis

[@MissSeaShell]

I'm so annoyed!! Everything could have turned out even better for her and for Kate if she had decided in that moment to be the hero. Everyone would have loved her, she and Kate could be friends, her secret about going to Martin's willingly would never have been revealed, and Kate didn't even want Jaimie so him and Jennette could have stayed together. Bah! I still love the show but the ending makes me wonder what the point was. I thought it could have been a great commentary on abuse and societal pressures but now it's just, Jeanette's a villain. Idk, it was disappointing to me. But still a great show, it had me hooked the whole time!

[@kytten4506]

I think the bigger picture is she was going to help whoever was down there, but when she heard the name "Kate Wallis" she stopped.

[@myafield4039]

@@MissSeaShell right that’s how I felt. I really liked that small girl power moment Jeanette and Kate had together. It’s just insane. Jeanette def has to have a mental illness (narcissism, sociopath, or something along those lines) to be ok with leaving Kate locked away. I just wonder who tipped off the police

[@staryspiral3]

@@myafield4039 Kate said that she called the police the next morning

[@thelifeofkaliah1504]

Idc what anyone says Mallory is terrible and the fact she let Someone take the fall for her is awful I wish Kate never would of forgiven her so easily and the last scene creeped me out 😩‼️

[@fathiabalgahoom3785]

I completely agree!! Why was Kate so quick to forgive Mallory?

[@lisah8438]

Unpopular Opinion: Mallory is not that bad.

[@Barbriah]

Mallory didnt know she saw kate until the news broke that kate was at martians house. Kate WAS mad until Mallory explained that she was protecting kates story and her reputation. Mallory saw kate living freely in martians house which proves she wasn’t kidnapped. If Mallory told kate she saw her then kate would be forced to tell the truth and Mallory felt she had been through enough already and just needed a friend. She didnt let Jeannette take the fall for her, everyone knows Jeannette broke in multiple times so why wouldn’t Mallory believe Kate? Mallory didnt know kate saw her and kate didn’t even know who she saw. So Mallory cant be blamed for that specifically, she didnt see kate after she turned off the lights so there was no way Mallory would think maybe kate was talking about her

[@candace9560]

@Lisa H exactly lol people really forgetting that Jeanette knew for sure that Kate was in that basement and she smile and joyful left her there.

[@candace9560]

@Queen Bee exactly!

[@maliciousclouds1614]

I KNEW she was a creep! I kept telling my girlfriend that Jeanette was a weirdo as we watched the series. The writing and her acting was awesome, it genuinely made you root for her, even tho deep down you knew something was off about her. Good stuff!

[@candace9560]

Lol I agreed with until the root for her part. I feel like I’m in the small group of people that never liked Jeanette and was always team Kate I have no idea why people rooted for Jeanette as hard as they did.

[@maliciousclouds1614]

@@candace9560 they certainly intended for people to at very least kind of side with jeanette, hence the big reveal at the end is finding out she is indeed "actual trash". Lol

[@lallana2882]

That is so true! I absolutely knew something was off but couldn't help but root for her!

[@mariacerna7185]

@@candace9560 OMG ME TOO I never liked her, I never believed her and I never trusted her. I knew since episode one she knew Kate was being held in the basement. Pros to the actress cuz I rlly hate her…. Jeanette turner is actual trash!

[@justgwen9740]

Kate trash too because she saw her break into the house. Kate saw that as an excuse to make up a story of where she have been. People was actually worry. Kate said she is a terrible liar. Kate know she was her way out.

[@amymelton4782]

I really dont know how i feel about that ending. I'm not a fan of Mallory. Like at all. And Kate I completely understand why she thought Jeanette saw her but damn. I was rooting for Jeanette and then that ending.

[@alexisjean-baptiste3455]

Fr. Unbelievable

[@myafield4039]

Also even if Jeanette did see her then it would of been hard to make her out. Kate had no reason to be mad about then. Now what Jeanette did is disturbing and disgusting! I still dislike Mallory too

[@michele8083]

Same !! Can't stand Mallory.

[@lauraduran91]

Wait are we forgetting that Mallory recorder her at the beginning of the school year????!?!?!?

[@amymelton4782]

@@lauraduran91 wait recorded who?

[@cherrypie2257]

The fact that Jeannette imitates and dresses up like kate on the show (the pearl necklace and the headband too) screams that she is a psychopath and she wanted to steal Kate's life all along. Also the creepy smile in the end when Jeannette discovers Kate locked in the basement 😔. I was team Kate from day 1 because Jeannette had a creepy aura around her. Mallory and Kate kissing stole the whole show ngl i saw it coming since the roller rink episode. I just hope season 2 karma serves Jeannette right. I haven't hated a character more in my life lol.

[@candellak]

I’m disappointed actually in Mallory and Kate. Mallory was like her one true friend since this whole ordeal and I don’t think it’s healthy making it romantic.

[@cherrypie2257]

@@candellak imo the power of making something destructive and toxic is in the hands of the two people sharing a relationship not on the label we put on it

[@kishiberohan4038]

i dont like mallory at all kate hasd terrible taste first martin now mallory

[@lexieostler8435]

@@candellak I agree I feel like she needs a friend, not a romantic relationship especially since the last one she had ended in such a terrible way. It would probably be good for her to take more time after that to wait to get into another relationship

[@creativesoulwriter8864]

I hope season 2 is a whole new cast and storyline.

[@ariana2106]

It’s weird that they didn’t have an episode about how Jeanette ‘stole’ Kate’s life, like was it really just from her taking off her glasses and straightening her hair lol?

[@adrianaavila8853]

😂 yes true. Also I wonder if Jamie’s gun from inside his car is the recovered weapon “annabelle” that he’s protecting for Kate? Or just a random other gun...? Plus I want to see more of exactly that torture Kate went through in the basement ... like she was drugged but had sleeping clothes and a bed mattress down there and books I think

[@joogullae3456]

You would be surprised how much physical appearances affect psychological biases.

[@iBeFloe]

Basically, she started moving in while everyone was at their weak point.

[@doriane2695]

I WAS SEARCHING FOR THIS COMMENT. i truly hope they will explore this side of the story in season 2, bc i need to see HOW she got closer to Jamie and Kate’s friends, and how she erased her true personality to become a pale copy of Kate.

[@Johanna_1254]

I kept waiting for that transformation too. How she ditched her friends, seduced Jaimie and got in with Kate’s friends. I wanted more info on that

[@jacelynarmstrong1439]

This show was too slow but yet a rollercoaster at the same time

[@alicianyonneoh9437]

Right I feel like a lot of parts were drug out

[@MadMandy]

I agree there was some episodes that really didn’t answer anything and were just filler episodes. Episode 9 was my favorite.

[@zedianzediessi]

@@MadMandy same

[@newuser5773]

yeah i think it could’ve been half the length. and some storylines were unnecessary/confusing and i think there were lots of plot holes

[@shaneterry_tennisnewsupdates]

Right I felt like it really draggedd out

[@celinakay4367]

I couldn't quite understand Jeanette but by the ending when you see her dressed as Kate on the Martha Bailey show and then she ends her interview with the same line that Kate used...I was like hmmmmm. You still acting like Kate sweety, then we got the ending and I was mad. But the show gave so many hints that she was guilty, just the way she speaks and blinks, her mannerisms. But they had me fooled in some parts

[@Silly_u1908]

Well her lawyer told her to be more like able. So obviously who else would she imitate than the most popular person in high school.

[@bluesclues4371]

@@Silly_u1908 nah Jeanette took it to the extreme. There was no need to dress identical to what Kate had on that’s just creepy lol

[@celinakay4367]

@@Silly_u1908 I suppose so but she been wanting to be her from the start. She never returned that scrunchy, she was smiling when she found out Kate went missing and smiled when she told Jaime about it. when she found out Kate was alive she looked very concerned like she did something. And now we know that she knew for a while that Kate was in the basement, so I dont think it had to do with the lawyer necessarily. She was already doing it.

[@chanelinlouboutin]

When she had pearls on during that interview I was like OMG THIS CHIC IS OFF!

[@rachanarayarao]

@chanelinlouboutin she also literally wore the same black headband

[@staryspiral3]

Btw just remembered--in a different episode Kate sketched the name "Annabelle" in her notebook and if you look closely, she also drew some birds flying. Now it makes sense because "Annabelle" actually was responsible for her freedom 🦅🕊️

[@makennabyrne]

Now that you mention it I definitely think that maybe it’s some symbolism. I wonder too if it’s a subliminal thing for her because they would shoot clay birds

[@kimc2000]

I don't like how everyone skipped over Jennette's obsession with Martin. Like she kept going into the house, she kept stealing things from his house to feel close to, she acts weird around him like at the carnival. Like yeah she has an obsession with Kate and everyone talks about it but WHAT ABOUT MARTIN!!!

[@Shineonmedia]

I don’t think she was obsessed with Martin. She said she was obsessed with the thrill of breaking into his house and she never got caught. I think it was just she knew she could get in there and out.

[@Crybabycry884]

@@Shineonmedia but every time she saw him she became real weird and just stared at him

[@Cameron-lm2xh]

@@Crybabycry884 I think it was more like "I know something you dont know" and she got an adrenaline rush stealing from him despite seeing him everyday at school.

[@mdrury6483]

What if they both knew that something was “off” about the other person. I think deep down Jeanette knew there was something creepy about him even before he abducted Kate and Martin got weird vibes from Jeanette too

[@lydiarodgers6907]

@@mdrury6483 absolutely agree. You can tell he doesnt trust her innocence and questions Jeanette from the moment they meet. He gave off that "I got my eyes on you" vibe toward her.

[@starcloak]

I was never on Jeanette's side, she was so sus in the first episodes like you said during the recaps. They almost got me when they reconcile in the Harris house and the press conference but was just proven right in the end.

[@bluesclues4371]

Same!!!! I almost thought she might be innocent once Mallory was exposed but something told me that wasn’t Jeanette last time in that house.

[@jaciewall9108]

Right! I was kinda on her side for a bit but when we mentioned she had been the house more the once I had my suspicions with her

[@17Jahseh17]

She was always so weird to me. Like when she kept sneaking into martins house, pretended to smoke after throwing away the weed, held onto kates scrunchie for too long, and acting out how to make the media like her

[@bluesclues4371]

@@17Jahseh17 right! Come to think about it she never gave that scruchy back

[@l.c.7955]

Everyone saying what a creep Jeanette is, did we forget Mallory was following someone who doesn't even want her friendship anymore?

[@MissSeaShell]

That's not even close to being the same lol she was a young girl upset at being ditched by her best friend

[@KennyLokz99]

I think that Mallory followed Jeanette because she really liked her and when they fought at school it shifted her love for her to hate.

[@KennyLokz99]

The opposite of love is indifference

[@MissSeaShell]

@h̳y̳u̳n̳j̳i̳n̳s̳i̳n̳d̳e̳x̳f̳i̳n̳g̳e̳r̳ I'm not coming for anyone I'm saying that Jeanette leaving Kate in the basement and smiling about it is way more creepy than Mallory following her former best friend, lol. Nothing was said about Mallory seeing Kate do that's not what I was talking about. But it's debatable whether Mallory did anything wrong. I think not. I believe her when she says she didn't realize it was Kate until later. As far as her not saying anything once she realized it, I think she believed that Jeanette did really see Kate one of the times she went there. So to her there was no real reason to tell Kate about that night. It still would have been the best thing to do, but nowhere near the level of what Jeanette did. I've said it before and I'll say it again, people just find Mallory unlikable and will do anything to twist her into a villain in their minds. Edit: for spelling

[@myafield4039]

@@KennyLokz99 I always thought Mallory was like in LOVE with Jeanette cus of how she acted towards her, but she was also very controlling. Gave me Janice from mean girl vibes

[@callme__kc]

in the beginning of the show when jeanette and her “friends” were talking about how kate was found and jeanette asked if she died or something seemed weird until the end of the show. jeanette knew she was in there the entire time and heard the shot fired (the one that killed martin) in the house. that’s the reason she assumed she was dead. she sure had me fooled💀

[@lizakhubuluri4069]

Yeah you are right.After reading your comment I realized how messed up janestes mind actually is.She believed Kate was dead and did nothing didn’t even felt guilt that she could have saved her.I mean she was a teenager a 16old child but damn.

[@juanitamorgan5475]

Never thought of it like that before but when she was with Jamie she did hear a gunshot outside of her house so she might have just assumed that Mr Harris had shot Kate that's why when they ended up finding cake the next day she asked if Kate was dead perhaps she was hoping for that to be the case

[@andromedastar4900]

That was another big clue about Jeanette. I like how they sprinkled clues like that the whole series.

[@selenaspivey9062]

I thought the same thing about Jeanette at the beginning of the show

[@Taayooo]

Another thing that proves how far Jeanette’s obsession with Kate goes… after Jeanette watches Kate’s Marsha Show interview and notices her hair is cut shorter, Jeanette immediately goes into the bathroom to also cut her hair. I think it’s a part of Jeanette trying to “out-do” Kate, but bc the reveal of when she cut her hair was at the end and had no build up to it, there was no other reason but to show how she’s obsessed.

[@Shineonmedia]

Oh dang you’re right! I knew Kate had just cut her hair too but didn’t put it together that way. I think you’re so right!

[@adrianaavila8853]

Woah! Good eye I didn’t put that together

[@terenarosa4790]

I thought it was to try and disguise herself in public. 😂

[@TheBubblesandbuttons]

So I've been on my rant that they twist destroyed some good story telling. On a side geek note: Single white female was released in 92 and that hair cut ..

[@toomessy]

I think it also plays into the whole; "I'm having a mental breakdown over this situation, because I'm innocent" trope. Jodi Arias (an actual killer) did something similar. When It was time for her to go through trials...she dyed her hair brown and suddenly started wearing glasses out of nowhere. Which we assume was so that she could be perceived as more trusting and innocent. Jeannette is kinda doing the same in the show. She cut her hair and suddenly, out nowhere started dressing up more masculine. It's quite interesting.

[@alientitimilk9073]

This show just ends with you not being able to like anyone… Except my boy Vince he was a real one

[@isabellacapozzi4569]

SO TRUEEE

[@calebgao6931]

so as Ben, also I know I shouldn't root for a character that kidnap underage girl but I kinda feel bad for Martin Harris, he could of fix the problem since day 1 Kate came to him but after that when Kate was identified as missing it was too late so he just double downs on the wrong path.

[@ignatz0422]

I loved the ending! I also couldn't stop thinking about how Jeanette always said she "never saw her in the house" specifically during her confrontation with Kate. She technically didn't ever SEE her. so creepy

[@l.c.7955]

The ending with Jeanettes smile and the song creep playing was perfection 🥰

[@Saffron-sugar]

Yeah I loved that too.

[@reignsmith4141]

I know Jeanette is crazy but Kate still makes me mad she accused her after she thought she saw from a window when she literally had turned the lights off and it was dark outside like how is anyone gonna see somebody like that. What made her think anyone looking in could have saw her, you can’t just ruin a persons life off of that it was giving very much white tears. It’s also weird she was so quick to forgive Mallory but was gonna ruin Jeanette’s life when she thought it was her. Just because Jeanette is crazy doesn’t mean Kate was right either they both were wrong this whole season for me.

[@alexisjean-baptiste3455]

Fr. I agree

[@kaylathompson6490]

Exactly and the other thing was Katie wasn’t even trying to be found Christmas Eve she wanted to stay at the house

[@destyneeluvene8168]

Exactly I hated that she forgave Mallory so easily but ruined Jeanette’s life. Ngl that ending with Jeanette had me fooled I hope they don’t drag the storyline out

[@miria_h]

She forgives mallory cuz has the opportunity to talk to her and let her explain everything but she didn't want to listen jeanette until wad to late

[@alaskayoung9805]

@@miria_h true also she was kinda jealous cause jeanette “stole” her life and mallory was kind of a good friend to her

[@eclecticwierdo]

I’m honestly disappointed, I was hoping that the show had a broader message about how the only true villain in the show was the principal and how the two main girls where just children.They had an opportunity to really have a powerful statement about victim blaming and vilify young girls. Drive home the fact that grooming is a real thing and peoples lack of understanding is probably why Kate felt the need to lie because the public would of simply blamed her. I saw the gun scene as another gross manipulation, to threaten suicide to regain the control he lost over Kate. The ending made good TV but it made me sad because I really respected the show for not sexualizing and blaming children for the actions of grown abusers but I guess that’s not where they were headed with this show.

[@jackierosas9593]

I agree! They could’ve also showed how society tends to pit people against each other, especially young girls. Now everyone is saying how they knew they were right about Jeanette all along bc she was a creep and that Kate was the real victim (when no duh, she was the whole time, her lying didn’t change that) Martin Harris should’ve been the main villain, the only villain really, in my opinion. I read an article that the show runner said that 1994 America created Jeanette and her desire to be popular which is why she doesn’t tell the truth about Kate being kidnapped. And I’m like, sure, societal pressures on beauty and popularity are terrible but what Jeanette did is pretty unredeemable and she did it out of cruelty. The societal pressures argument goes out the window when you don’t tell anyone about a kidnapped teenage girl and smile about it. It wouldn’t have been as “juicy” of an ending but it would still have an impact. Also, naming your gun? Idc why, Martin, what a dip.

[@kytten4506]

To be honest I feel like they did that though. Many people forget the fact they were 15, 16, and 17 years old. That the teacher was an adult. That Kate was still driven by her emotion and drugs. That Jeannette did in fact do the wrong thing but still needs help regardless. That Mallory needs to think about herself and actions. That Martin is not the only evil but also Kate's mother.

[@LisaLee__]

Same

[@mariatakalo4371]

I agree! The show had the potential to show a powerful message but they ruined it at the end by making Janette a villain

[@musicalone74]

Exactly. It was so cliché. They ruined a perfectly good show with overkill.

[@danushka2617]

Jeanette always gave me the hibbie gibbies, her behaviour was so odd so I'm glad that they didn't make her completely innocent. Season 2 can't come soon enough

[@normari_gutierrez3535]

There is no season 2

[@AngieCakes64]

What is season two going to be about tho. I don’t understand lol

[@callisto3508]

@@normari_gutierrez3535 there is

[@callisto3508]

@@AngieCakes64 probably going to see more about what actually happened and jeanette might get exposed

[@AngieCakes64]

@@callisto3508 that makes sense but a whole season? I don’t know how Jeanette could get exposed for actually hearing her. Unless maybe Vince saw her go in?

[@icebear8177]

In my opinion, I don’t think Kate and Mallory should have ended up together. I feel like Kate just needs a friend to help deal with the trauma and confide in. But now that same friend is also her girlfriend. What if they breakup? Who will she find to help her then? Edit: I wouldn’t have cared about the relationship if it wasn’t rushed and if it had more development. And to be honest I hate Mallory and I feel like she is bossy (a reason why their relationship could end). So to have Mallory get a happy ending made me mad.

[@twilightsun8109]

Ikr I hate it like why can’t there be true friendships anymore instead of forcing relationships

[@Amarianee]

Agreed! I was so excited when we saw Vince's truth and following him and Ben and their story, but then they had to forcibly shoe-in Mallory and Kate at the end. It felt disingenuous and like an attempt to just pander to the LGBTQ+ community, which is just as bad as not having representation. The community doesn't need/want every person everywhere to be gay "just because," they want real fleshed out characters with real stories who represent them. Yeah...it struck a nerve. It was out of nowhere, and not in the good way (like Vince).

[@dominiquesanchez7254]

@@Amarianee i wished they stayed friends, but i felt like that was how they would turn out. I dont belive it was a just because relationship From what ive seen/read many people who have been abused by an opposite sex eventually try or end up in a same sex relationship due to the the distrust with the opp sex. Also Mallory could be her "rebound" due to being there for her in her most traumatic state. They had a writer who was also a psychologist and spoke to help centers to have them review the response to trauma and make sure it was accurate portrayal

[@ellaenchanted2348]

Thats because every show these days has a token lesbian couple

[@cindyjane4032]

@@twilightsun8109 i love how straight relationships are everywhere on tv but every time it's a gay ship people are like "why can't they just be friends"

[@karinamace9254]

I'm really disappointed in the Annabelle reveal. A gun with a name just seems so lame, especially with Martin having been uncomfortable with guns in earlier episodes. I really wish it had been something different, my theory was that it was a new identity for Kate- a passport, some sort of ID, so Kate was obsessing about what could have been her new identity.

[@lisah8438]

You thought the gun thing was lame? How is the new identity part any better?

[@iluvtaylor4life294]

@@lisah8438 ikr that would have sucked

[@Salty_Oatmeal25]

I thought it was a baby

[@Isabelle-mw9lf]

i was hoping it was another person he captured who was there with kate in the basement

[@courtneykleiner9666]

That was pretty lame. I was hoping it had something to do with the old school he worked at. Like he had taken another girl and maybe she was dead? Or she didn't know who took her?

[@yeseniacordero3844]

I always felt there was something off about Jeannette since that episode where she was watching a courtroom show on TV and imitated the person saying, "I'm the victim!", Like she was trying to convince herself that she was the victim! It was so weird for me, i couldn't let go of that even when the show made us want to feel like Jeannette was the wronged one! On another note, Kate's situation makes me so sad. This guy completely ruined her life, and she has to live with that forever. Grooming is real and it take such different and often subtle forms. I hope we've all learned a few things.

[@quizbangandedits1134]

No one ruined Kate's Wallace life. She completely did that to her self. How could u feel sorry for this girl when she lied about being kidnapped and being a victim. She was out having sex with Martin Harris when there are actual persons who have been kidnapped and went through worse. Jeanette is not an innocent person but she is more of a victim than Kate Wallace. If I was Jeanette I would have never dropped that lawsuit against her

[@caseyitiswhatitis6660]

@@quizbangandedits1134 she was literally a child and groomed by a man, manipulated into not seeing her own parents and then kept against her will in a basement, how is she not the victim?

[@lostforever773]

No, she just tried to do what he's lawyer told her to do

[@rachelreichert1966]

@@caseyitiswhatitis6660 she said that Jeanette tried to play a victim, she was saying Kate is a victim

[@alexise0226]

I always believed that Jeanette was not innocent! All her little lies, she’s a manipulator.

[@jaaasimaka5887]

right and she was lying about the littlest thing too

[@meh5872]

she literally lied to her parents and gaslit them and people still defended her??

[@ignatz0422]

The scene when she lied to Mallory about flushing the blunt says it all!

[@terenarosa4790]

@@ignatz0422 she didn't flush it?

[@juanitamorgan5475]

She stole Jamie too and basically also took Kate's life

[@07gabsrox]

Can we talk about how Jeanette went back to a guy that literally punched her in the face like huh? What kind of message does that show

[@aishaadeoye112]

Exactly what I’ve been saying too. The guy is low key trash.

[@julianngo5263]

Trash belongs with trash lol

[@nenesstudies5769]

After all Jeanettes ultimative goal is to be like the old Kate and Jamie was a huge part of that Kate.

[@blackswan7279]

It shows reality. Ppl get back with abusive ppl and they don’t do it because they saw it on tv but because victims of DV tend to go back to those relationships. To think that they do cause of tv is so disrespectful

[@terenarosa4790]

It's because she's obsessed with Kate's life. She wants everything Kate had. Even her abusive alcoholic ex boyfriend.

[@Shineonmedia]

*good catch to you all who noticed Jeanette continued to copy old Kate’s style with the interview look & even the final scene outside the basement* So, did you like the #CruelSummer season 1 finale? What do you want to see in season 2 - same characters? different story same actors?

[@vinnie9622]

i absolutely LOVED the finale. i would love to see all the characters again. maybe see jeanette get her just desserts for what she’s done. i also want to know what happened with kate’s stepsister. i mean after she found out she was berenice we never found out how any of that went. do they never talk again or is she slowly earning back her trust in a way? i just GOTTA know

[@briiixo4]

i kinda wanna see a time jump and have another mystery with the same characters

[@kategerber2893]

I liked it for the most part but I really wish they would have just tied up a couple of loose ends- Kate/Ashley/Derek. I don't think it was at all wrong for Ashley to try a different approach to reach out to Kate but I wish we would have seen Ashley and Kate find out that it was Derek who stole the logs and gave them to Jeanette. Also really don't like the Jamie/Jeanette relationship. Although thinking about it, it's kind of a parallel between Martin and Kate really: Kate was groomed by Martin and believed their relationship was healthy at first; Jeanette was assaulted by Jamie but thinks he's the "best boyfriend in the world". While there are still things I want to see wrapped up from season 1, I think I'd rather see a different story.

[@leoniejustin]

I want different characters

[@mariacerna7185]

I want to see Jeanette get what she deserves. It’s not fair at the end she got everything she wanted, Kate deserves better. Now people think she’s a liar and Jeanette is the good girl.

[@mphoapril6617]

I hope in season 2 we dont follow this set of characters. Cause I like the ending even thought its unsettling. It goes with the title "Cruel Summer". Jeanette was cruel. Could continue with other cruel characters

[@brittanylockwood6085]

I hope so too. I swear that I read an interview from one of the actresses though, that if the show was renewed, it would not be a continuation of their story. I think it was one that Olivia Holt did. But I would have to try and find it. I think this show really has the potential to be good and an important tell for things like grooming. But they need to not beat a particular story like this one, to death.

[@destyneeluvene8168]

@@brittanylockwood6085 yes it said there’s goin to be a season 2 coming in 2022 at the end of the episode but I really hope they don’t drag this storyline out

[@wyattandreslong]

@@user-nv3sh5jh3p yes i like that idea

[@margaretstechly7144]

It could be a completely storyline and characters like Fargo or Black Mirror.

[@dantesos7564]

Everyone was cruel in their own ways. Jeannette was cruel to Kate who was then cruel to her, the bf was cruel to both of them, Jeannettes mom was cruel to her husband for leaving him & Jeannette, in turn he became cruel with Jeannette as well...the other boy was cruel to Vince for the cruelty that the other guy was imparting on himself as a result of his guilt so all in all it was like a domino effect that imploded on each other.... because of that one cruel decision Jeannette made. We all have it in us to be any one of them at any given time. 😳

[@arielfairweather5778]

I always felt that Jeannette acted weird, but I just thought it was the actresses bad acting. I was so wrong. Chiara Aurelia did an amazing job making Jeanette kind of unsettling in all her scenes. The subtle mannerisms indicating that she was being deceitful conflicting with signals that she was telling the truth, the way she was very giddy talking to Jaime even when talking about his missing girlfriend. Amazing. I always thought she was weird, but up until the end, I also thought she was innocent.

[@amylilanae3590]

The actress for Jeanette is crazy talented! She’s also in the trilogy of fear street and plays her role so well and it’s oddly similar to this role!

[@lostforever773]

Who does she play in fear street?

[@babyylexiee4642]

@@lostforever773 she’s in 1978, she plays ziggys bully

[@JasmineJ_]

I hope season 2 follows a new set up characters. Everything was pretty much wrapped up this season so I dont see where they could go from here with Janette and Kate

[@lilmama121]

I think maybe season 2 will have the same actresses/actors, but there will be a different story. If the show wants to survive, I don't think it's a good idea from them to beat one storyline to death. Besides if Kate accuses Jeanette again at this point after accusing her than stating her innocence, no one's going to believe her just let it end.

[@dorathyjohnston3986]

Agreed! Some people have said maybe it will be an anthology series. So maybe like American Horror story? I also feel like maybe if they talked about Martin before he came to town? But I don’t think this storyline should continue

[@mercedessilonis7813]

I hope it will be same actors new characters and stories. Like American Horror Story, Tell Me a Story, and I’m sure there’s more. I love shows like that because I’ve come to love the actors together, and the writing and directing, but the oh story is over. I think it’s their best bet, and I hope that’s how they do it. Either way, excited for season two.

[@JC-lb3df]

I’d like it if they get new characters but have some of the original characters return like Kate and Jeanette they for sure have the potential to continue there stories and Jeanette was a mini detective near the end of S1 so maybe she helps investigate in s2 and Kate can have a arc about her ptsd

[@63brennan]

Me too. This wrapped up pretty nicely. I just dont see a whole seasons worth of story with these characters in this story.

[@nayeliperez7516]

The boyfriend didn’t pick Jeanette he picked Kate but she didn’t want to be with him anymore. So he went with Jeanette as a last resort. Which is so sad. Girls should learn from her and not allow a man to come back after his initial choice wasn’t you. On top of that he hit her! I would have just let karma get him. 😏

[@sophiamloren]

He picked Kate because he felt bad, he knew he had a deeper connection with Jeanette but this girl was kidnapped and going through severe trauma, I believe in Jamie's head he just thought he was doing the right thing by being there for her, despite him moving on while she was gone. Jeanette is desperate for love and attention, the whole world hated he of course she would stay with someone who abused her, it's all she knows. I do feel bad for her but that last scene just killed it for me, she doesn't deserve pity. She knew that that girl was locked down there and did nothing because she stole her life.

[@nayeliperez7516]

@@sophiamloren you’re right but the fact of the matter is Jeanette was not his first choice regardless of his reasoning. I’m sure there’s so many ways to justify every characters actions. However I’m just pointing out that it is a learning experience for impressionable youngsters watching it. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@nayeliperez7516]

@Zsuzsanna Varga Freal haha especially when people trying to justify cruel actions. I can’t 😭

[@mariarodgers5387]

Jamie was popular and had a bright fututre somewhat when Jenaette acquired him thorugh Kates dissapearance. What is it that she wants with him now? Karma has chewwed him up and spit him out. Although she is a clip she could use her manipulativeness and appeal to get a better guy with more going for him now that she is a well known exonerated victimzed teen.

[@adrianaavila8853]

@@sophiamloren do we know roughly what day that was in 1994 when Jeanette heard but saw Kate and choose not to investigate the basement?

[@ericatheempress6698]

That part where the popular girl got a phone call about Kate after she was missing and Jeanette said "Oh shes dead" did make me feel sus about her, and the ending scene makes it all the more heinous and sad.

[@mariatakalo4371]

Exactly that part never sat right with me. Thinking back now, she obviously knew Kate was there for her to ask ohh now she’s dead

[@twilightsun8109]

Ya and the gun shot scene she probably thought it was from the house

[@chanelinlouboutin]

Like she was happy about it when she was asking and she had heard that gunshot and then those last few scenes. Bish is a total sociopath.

[@juanitamorgan5475]

It was suspicious how Jeanette was asking who found Kate and who killed her I mean why would she assume that Kate was dead?

[@jsas2047]

@@juanitamorgan5475 most ppl who go missing end up dead. It's not really wierd to assume that bc when they find someone after a year, it's almost always a body. I'd probably assume that too..

[@ChetanPatel-vq7vs]

It’s interesting how Martin’s last words to Kate were you love me instead of we love each other. Kate might have finally realized at that moment that Martin never loved or cared about her and she built up the courage to kill and escape him.

[@chase2885]

girl i saw kate and mallory from a MILE away; since the roller rink scene there was def something between them

[@alexisjean-baptiste3455]

SAMEEE, was waiting for it after that scene

[@mari-ne6hv]

saame

[@keilanillanes838]

Same there was just something about the roller rink scenes like idk what it was but there was something

[@terenarosa4790]

That was only one or two episodes before the final though. Vince and the other guy had more relationship development than they did.

[@marykerrigan6462]

I showed a few clips of them out of co text to my gf and was like they're 💅 right? Wasn't sure if they'd give more than 1 lgbt pairing though usually it's one and that's it, so couldn't have gone either way depending on decisions behind scenes.

[@Yeyah1331]

I still think Mallory knew, remember she didn’t like Kate maybe she did see her on the tape later on or something and didn’t want her to be saved then felt guilty when they found her

[@kreepingitreal]

I think Mallory was jealous of Janettes obsession. Maybe that’s why she also didn’t like Kate but maybe along the line she really grew to like Kate but yes possibility she did see her 🤔

[@chanelinlouboutin]

They kept focusing this episode on when Kate's back was turned.... but Kate said and they SHOWED the person looking right AT HER with the hood of the jacket up while Kate was looking out the window. That's why she thought Jeanette saw her... because the person (Mallory) was face to face with her on the bike before biking away. Mallory clearly saw the back of Kate when Kate was on the phone, so she would have also seen her clearly when Kate turned around and was STARING at the person on the bike. They never cleared that up for me.

[@bluesclues4371]

Another thing is by Jeanette breaking the first time and leaving her chain (& Kate knowing it was her that broke in). When Kate heard that noise once in the basement she probably assumed it was Jeanette breaking in again.

[@ellienas5179]

Kate probably never brought that time up because she shrugged it off as her hearing things or she just forgot because time probably got so warped being locked in that basement

[@Imagummybearpop]

she wouldnt remember that as she probably always heard noises / or thought it might have been Martin/hearing things.

[@lostforever773]

No

[@Stef-Bef]

I think Mallory did have ulterior motives in becoming friends with Kate. Maybe she liked her the whole time & that’s why she seemed to have hated her so much. Why did she feel it necessary to keep Kate’s secret about not being locked up if they weren’t friends yet? Why dive headfirst into being her BFF & but have so much venom for Jeanette for trying to become the new Kate? I don’t like they ended up together. Also wondering what’s gonna happen with J’s mom since her daughter has been exonerated but I don’t need a season 2.

[@abigailhammond2018]

One thing that caught my eye when Jeanette heard Kate in the basement was the time of the year. Kate was locked in the basement in the winter and got out of the basement in early summer. When Jeanette walked into the house and heard her we can see that the weather is nice out and that she is wearing a dress. Making it appear to be during the summer. When Martin comes into the basement with Annabelle he says the police had come to the house and that they would be back. I think the writers did this on purpose to leave viewers guessing. Jeanette could have tipped off the police that Kate was in the basement.

[@kellyCornflake]

Yeah, we aren't actually told why the police suddenly showed up. Weird that they would leave that part out. Well not weird, most likely intentional.

[@jibbajabba8782]

I hope they keep the same actors but change the characters kinda like how American horror story does.

[@slbebe]

I feel like Jeanettes true colors will be exposed so she’ll go from the good girl to the bad girl real quick

[@terenarosa4790]

No

[@victoriah1548]

I don't ship Kate and Mal. They just seemed like friends and it felt forced

[@candace9560]

Right! I think they are good as friends but they shouldn’t mistake there connection into romance

[@Amarianee]

Same. There's people saying they saw it from a mile away, but I sat here like, "What? Really? That's where we're going with this now, at the very end, with no build up or growth?" It was extremely underwhelming and felt like a last minute "let's throw this in there so we can show how progressive we are!" After everything that happened to Kate and only got her to find out Mallory's story FROM JEANETTE, and how she just let her go for a year, believing her version of events was true? I'd be PISSED. I can understand her not wanting to tell everyone, but if you want to be her friend, let alone SO, at least tell her the fucking truth. People happy for them are just reinforcing Kate's victimhood and promoting her inclination towards toxic relationships. Mallory is garbage, just like Jeanette.

[@victoriah1548]

@@Amarianee Agree!

[@xQuantom]

@@Amarianee My wife and I knew they would end up together when they roller skated together. Just seemed like they had a connection to us.

[@marykerrigan6462]

It was set up from the beginning though - narratively they gave tropes like misconceptions, us vs world, the rollerskating montage, and just generally vibe -flip it to m-f and would imagine wouldn't be assumed friends ( usually a decent marker ) .

[@danihoffmaster3237]

I think that Jeanette called the cops that day. The dress she was wearing at the end was her birthday dress. Martin said the cops showed up that same day….why were they there I don’t think she’s as bad as we think. The gun shot was important because Jeneatte had just seen her and thought he killed her because she called the cops

[@christinnablackson8831]

Good point

[@allisonnero]

yessssss

[@nekeishajohnson6362]

🎯

[@Jasmine-vu2ge]

maybe she wanted to make an anonymous tip bc if she called the police straight away they’d know she was constantly breaking in

[@matthewread1671]

Nah was a different dress, she was wearing a red one at the end with a blue shirt, the birthday dress she was wearing on her birthday in 1994 was pink

[@aniyahlawrence8356]

My original theory was kind of correct just without the malicious intent. And towards the end I was inching towards Jeanette knowing Kate was there and low and behold it’s true

[@remembermsmoore]

I felt like she had to know because she sneaks in too much to not know what’s going on. It was like her addiction.

[@aniyahlawrence8356]

@@remembermsmoore you have a really good point. I remember defending her in the beginning saying “Jen would do a lot but I don’t think she’d let someone stay kidnapped” and it’s true:/

[@mermaidlifeonearth]

She caught that mom lady one time, it's hard to believe she never saw Kate. She breaks in all the time.

[@kiana5576]

I feel like Jeanette lied so good that even she believed it. Like she actually believed that she didn't see Kate, Cause she just heard her screams. But I wish they'd just let it go, there's not much to go on for next season other than Jeanette smirking at the end. Kate deserves to move on and be happy, and poor Greg, he deserves better. Like let him live. Vince and Ben story line totally got lost under the mysteries and I just didn't care about either of them, they didn't have any sort lf connection to the rest of the storyline. And Mallory and Kate, friends or more are just my favourite couple. They had more chemistry than any other actual couple in the whole season, they were there for eachother and they's happy. So let them be. All and all, I wish they ended it here. Where we're all just mesmeriesed by a sixteen years old's lying skills and that she didn't get what she desereved. Cause in reality, so many people do horrible things and get away with it. It just felt more realistic that way.

[@dannyhastings5623]

Ok but to be fair she kind of got what she deserved

[@kytten4506]

Mallory and Kate are a horrible couple, don't let them being bi or lesbians distract the fact Mallory is just picking up where martin left off and is being a manipulative toxic girl who lied to Kate and continues to stay with her because she can control her. Kate just wants someone to love her and keeps finding it in the wrong people, I feel like Kate got the worst ending of all

[@candellak]

@@kytten4506 I don’t like them romantically together but I also don’t see Mallory controlling her either. She “lied” but not really she didn’t see Kate in that house she seen a woman but after it came out it was Kate and they became friends she didn’t call her out on it because she was respecting her and waiting for her to talk about it if she wanted to. Kate said Jeanette seen her trapped in the basement how would she think that it was her she had seen instead of Jeanette if she was walking around the livingroom.

[@kytten4506]

@@candellak Kate is a teenage girl who lacks love on her life and finds it in these terrible people and lacks it from those she needs the most. Mallory is one of those people, maybe in season 2 Kate would have moved on with someone who actually cares about her well being and her alone and not in their best interest. Because everyone else is like that.

[@candellak]

@@kytten4506 I just don’t see what Mallory has done wrong to Kate. She was an absolute shit friend to Jeanette hands down but with Kate it seemed like she genuinely cared about her.

[@lauraann8591]

What if Martin Harris had made some kind of deal with Jeanette, I remember the carnival episode and there could be some foreshadowing of Martin Harris also grooming Jenette, that could also be why she keeps coming back to the house possibly. Idk I think there’s more in Jenette and Martin then we think.

[@abbiehamilton3268]

@Emma no I think that was about a girl he tutored in his old home town

[@NotLaykin]

I really loved the twist at the end of this. As it was wrapping up I was thinking "meh happy endings are great but I feel so dissatisfied" and then they hit us with that. I love that they played on the idea that someone can get a redemption arch but is actually totally in the wrong still. Lowkey was hoping that Annabelle was Kate and Martins baby or something crazy like that.

[@anjalo6]

As soon as Jeanette said it was never about the money I knew she was just trying to get away with something like her other little games

[@pamelaleal3695]

Mallory is not good either, she would always put her friends in “dangerous” situations and then flaked on them, plus she also knew that Jeanette didn’t saw Kate that night yet didn’t say a word. I think she was in love with Jeanette and mad that Jeanette was obsessed with Kate, but then she also fell for Kate when they became friends

[@miriamvillafan7804]

Wow Jeanette was a real psycho! Lol I still love her but wtf! 🤦🏻‍♀️ she tricked us all. In the end she knew she would get away with it. Guys think about it she was so hopeless till her bf showed her the voicemail than she realized “oh sh@t that’s what she’s talking about, this whole time I thought she was talking about when I heard her screaming in the basement”

[@tamaraa9846]

Remember Jeanettes face in court when the evidence about the chat room was exposed .Her reaction was very creepy .

[@miriamvillafan7804]

Tamara yes!!!! Girls definitely not right in the head 😂

[@jessmackiedo6717]

She ain’t fool me. She was creepy from the beginning. Obsessed with Kate and her life. Those so-called friends that was Kates and hers sure disappeared quick. I still can’t find her obsession with going in and out that man house.

[@jessmackiedo6717]

@h̳y̳u̳n̳j̳i̳n̳s̳i̳n̳d̳e̳x̳f̳i̳n̳g̳e̳r̳ understandable, but she just seems like a person you will never be able to trust. She’s one of those people who will keep doing whatever she can as long as she doesn’t get caught. Then if she does get caught try to somehow pretend she is innocent. I always tried to stay far away from people like that.

[@myafield4039]

@h̳y̳u̳n̳j̳i̳n̳s̳i̳n̳d̳e̳x̳f̳i̳n̳g̳e̳r̳ I think we were all looking at her as an awkward teen girl trying to find her place and just wanting to be liked by others when in reality it’s not that she’s awkward or has anxiety, it’s that she is in fact creepy. I get why people could relate to her because of the way she’s presented.

[@adrianaavila8853]

Got it! So Kate was at Martinms house willingly from August 30th 1993 - December 25th 1993. But then he locked her in the basement all the way until June 26th 1994 or so. Damn! 🤯 all the timelines got me a bit confused. Thanks for clarifying

[@steve_772]

Jeannette’s mother was very brave to confront her and admit that her daughter was not a good person anymore. During the show, there was one moment that I thought that she abandoned her, but with that ending, definitely her mother did the best and leave that house behind.

[@ely_sky]

Tbh I don't think Mallory is toxic. I think that her friendship with Jeanette is toxic, but I feel like just because they weren't a good fit and Mallory made mistakes but she would've been 15 in 1993, making her 17 in '95. People can grow up and become better people, and we never see her treat Kate badly or manipulate her.

[@jlgreen3]

Except lie to her their entire friendship and let her go into a LAWSUIT without telling her that she was wrong???

[@avanishetty5777]

@@jlgreen3 It wasnt a lie. Like she said, if she had told people, Kate would have been put in a horrible position and would have ruined her reputation is people knew she had gone willingly.

[@jlgreen3]

She could have told KATE the truth. I’m not talking about other people. She let that girl walk into a court room knowing full well she was in the wrong.

[@avanishetty5777]

@@jlgreen3 That is true, she could have told Kate and she should have, but personally I like that the 2 of them went to the house and found out the truth like that.

[@candace9560]

I agree I think her and Jeanette just weren’t a good fit as friends and she matured by the time Kate was back home.

[@ango8466]

I have some questions: 1 why Mallory kept the snow globe? Wtf 2 How is an anonymous online chat, taken illegally accepted in court? 3 How the fck did the police said he was killed? They didn't realize she killed him? Shouldn't they be investigating about self defense?

[@misterguyman9669]

-I thought these same things too. The snow globe wasn't important at all. The writers wrote it first then didn't know what to do with it. Jeanette giving Mallory the snowglobe was so forcibly written. -Online chats are permissible to use in court. Authenticity must be found so I'm sure the lawyers contacted the website. -The police did not reveal the cause of death because a minor was involved, the media just assumed it was shootout as people reported gunfire. Kate never publicly confirmed or denied it.

[@ango8466]

@@misterguyman9669 1 I think the importance of the snow globe is that Kate wasn't in the basement but in the living room, but maybe that could be covered by the phone call alone. Still I don't get why Mallory kept it. 2 Taken illegally tho! How is that acceptable? I have seen a lot of cases with evidence like camera or hearing recordings that aren't acceptable because the other party didn't know was being recorded. 3 so everyone eventually knew she murdered him and they never discussed it with her? Even when she couldn't remember? They can't believe police shot him one day in the basement but left her with the body and rescued her one day later. Nor of course that anyone else did.

[@kenjako]

To me the answer to all those questions is: plot convenience, they need those things to keep the series going so they put those things in 🤷🏿‍♀️

[@shadows1truelove]

I'm not super Team Jeanette, but hear me out... With the way the show likes to twist things, I like to think that Jeanette called the cops to check in on Kate, which lead to Martin being paranoid, which lead to Jeanette hearing the gun, which lead her believing that Kate was killed by the gunshot instead of being saved from* Martin. I don't think Jeanette wanted to save Kate herself because she wanted to be able to stay popular a little while longer while still being able to claim, "hero of the tale" by later saying, "oh well, i was the one who alerted the cops. I saved Kate Wallis. I just didn't want him to get me too. So I told the cops to go get her." But she would know Martin Harris wouldn't allow them into his house, so they wouldn't find anything. He would become paranoid and maybe take out Kate so that way she could keep Kate's life. It would have been a win-win for Jeanette either way. Anyway, i hope the next season does this and shows us more about Jeanette's side of the whole story of her "becoming" what she was and more of her transformation/how exactly she did it all. *Edit: changed "by" to "from" since someone wanted to rudely point it out to me. 😊 Be nice to people everyone and don't call people dumb over something that could be a simple typo. 🧡🧡🧡

[@cailinleimbrock3837]

also, if you think about it, Jeanette couldn’t admit to finding Kate without incriminating herself, because then she would have to admit to constantly breaking and entering into Martin’s house

[@diyasethi10]

This!

[@anisa3277]

@@cailinleimbrock3837 but the thing is, how could no one see Jeannette doing all of that in and out business. A part of me wants someone random person to show up and have him/her have a part to play in martins death or all of this. It would be entertaining to find out that people aren't just there to give attention, information and evidence to Jeannette. I kinda want the random person to have evidence incriminating Jeannette.

[@amariahlovelace5113]

@@cailinleimbrock3837 And honestly how could she save Kate herself. That could have resulted in her being held prisoner as well if he had of shown up. An anonymous call to the cops would be her best bet.

[@lostforever773]

Martin didn't save her Are you dumb

[@RebeccaRider]

The best idea behind this show is that weakness isn’t the same as goodness. People assume Jeanette is nice because she’s awkward and nerdy - but that’s just the surface - you can’t read into someone’s heart.

[@ellienas5179]

I'm not gonna say I always had a weird feeling about Jeannette because she truly had me fooled..... but when I saw her dressed exactly like Kate in that interview I knew she was messed up but I shrugged it off. Then that ended had my jaw to the floor...

[@StrangeStartrackerArt]

I was honestly rooting for both of them and hoping they would be friends. I'm disappointed that they made Jeanette do that. Although, knowing this show, it could be a misdirect. There is a chance that Jeanette smiled because she was going to tip off the police. Maybe hearing Kate caused her to think the gunshot killed Kate, and that's why she thought they found a body? Maybe Jeanette anonymously tippet off the police because she was actually scared Kate was hurt? If she did leave Kate there purposely, there is a chance that she felt guilty after hearing the gunshot as the main theme of this show seems to be that people and the truth aren't just black and white.

[@Noa......]

"Smiled because she was going to tip off the police." Does this theory really make sense?

[@dominiquesanchez7254]

@@Noa...... smiled because that would make her the hero.

[@StrangeStartrackerArt]

@@Noa...... It's just a possibility

[@Rivia20]

@@dominiquesanchez7254 Except that still doesn’t make any sense because if Jeanette was the one that tipped off the cops why wouldn’t she say anything?? The basis of Kate’s whole argument against Jeanette was that she knew she was in the basement and did nothing, but if Jeanette actually told the cops all she had to do was say that and the beef between the two and subsequently the show would’ve been over. Also if Jeanette just wanted to be the hero in everyone’s eyes why would she keep it a secret that she was the reason Kate was found?? More importantly why not just let Kate out herself??? I’ve seen this theory a lot and there are just too many holes in it for it to work.

[@dominiquesanchez7254]

@@Rivia20 simply because how does she explain why she was in martin harris house? On multople occasions? Also she could have made an anonymous tip to the police.

[@orlandoacosta2631]

I get what people are saying about the ending. But remember, in the 1st episode Jeannette had that "Oh shit" look on her face when she heard that Kate was found alive. I liked how this show kept you guessing to the very end. Even when you think you have it figured out it surprises you. Not sure what they'll do for season 2 though, since most of the story seems wrapped up here

[@anisa3277]

idk. i feel like it's all still very open ended and the show could continue showing how each of their lives continue into the future. Also a part of me wants some kind of journalist that followed Jeannette around discover her weird relationship with martin and more. It would just make alot more sense if someone else saw Jeannette as not being innocent, the way she got what she wanted from the people around her just seemed so unnatural, like she got to pick everything she needed. Also i think she'll might follow Kate further and kate will have to deal with journalist and etc too. I'm curious as to what's really going to happen with Mallory. Yep, if they wanted a season 2 they could definitely do it and they could even throw a few huge twists into it with one of the people who Jeannette took from Kate's life only choosing to be with Jeannette to watch her or something else about Martin or his death. It could also just illustrate Jeannette's downfall even if no-one finds more out about her the life she tried to replicate is one where Kate herself was trying to get out of, so it would make sense if everything went to crap and she pulls another desperate, obsessive play towards being the ideal Kate. There's also the person who tipped off the police. And so on...

[@destyneeluvene8168]

Yes Jeanette is definitely a creep, especially with the same outfit on the interview towards the end. Ngl I was rooting for her and the ending fooled me. I hope they just leave this storyline and go onto another bc there’s really no point now.

[@candace9560]

So something I realized about the people that view the show is that a lot of people who were team Jeanette was on Jeanette said because she seem to be the underdog. A lot of people seem to still dislike even when Jeanette true colors were exposed at the end and still hate Kate simply because she popular and pretty even tho her life was far from perfect. Jeanette family actually was more close than Kates… idk just shows a bias people have.

[@dannyhastings5623]

I hundred percent agree with you and I think that might of been one of the messages that the show was trying to show us

[@beewest5704]

I thought they both were telling the truth. But alas

[@dannyhastings5623]

@@beewest5704 she technically was telling the truth she never SAW her

[@andreaedwards558]

I was on team Jeanette cuz it seemed like Kate was really pressed over Jeanette taking her place especially after Martin told Kate nobody cared about her and Jeanette and Jamie were together. Jeanette definitely was creepy from the beginning but to me she didn’t seem like she was lying 🤡😂

[@Salty_Oatmeal25]

I was rooting for both of them now I'm just rooting for kate

[@nikkimirhosseyni9535]

When Kate and Mallory kissed, I practically yelled "I KNEW IT!" because when it was revealed Mallory was the one that saw Kate, the montage was verrrry intimate and it definitely felt like Kate felt betrayed as more than a friend. Also, Mal gave off very heavy lesbian vibes and the way she talked about Kate in '93 made a lot of sense for a young teen battling internalized homophobia over a crush, it was a little too grasping for a genuine hate. I feel that they both played budding feelings throughout the season.

[@not_intrested]

I swear I saw a exact theory here in comments that Jeanette will be proven innocent, they will reconcile and all and just when the episode is ending, they will show that Jeannette actually saw her in the basement. Whuuh! Ezmart bbl 😆

[@emilyep1]

My theory.is that Jeanette called the cops and that's why they went to Martin's house but they had to real cause to search. So when she heard the gunshot she assumed Martin killed Kate. Or Martin was just paranoid or continuing to leave Kate in the basement and there were never any policeb

[@AnasayAnasay]

I have the same theory. I’m just wondering on how long she waited to contact the cops.

[@l.c.7955]

It is probably that. They just want to milk another season out of it.

[@mariacerna7185]

When Janette and Kate talk, Kate says she called the cops the day after she shoots Martin.

[@laylathegreat]

But then why would she let people make her a punching bag for an entire year? That’s the part I don’t get. She literally sued Kate because she wanted the truth to come out but kept the one thing that would have proven her innocence a secret for an entire year. She never told Kate that she was the one to call the police (if she did) either, which tripped me out. Maybe she just wants attention? But being the hero of the story would get you more positive attention than being the villain that she was made out to be. She could’ve told the cops that she was the one who called when they were investigating her, but she still chose to lie about the amount of times she was in the house. But I’m sure the punishment she’d receive (if at all) for breaking into the house would be way less than her allowing Kate to remain in the basement. Even if she did call the cops, her mental state is just not there.

[@elisaadams2966]

@@mariacerna7185 but Martin told Kate the cops had showed up asking questions. How would the cops know to look there. Because Jenette called the cops anonymously and tipped them off. Remember in the beginning even Kate said somebody had showed up right before her rescue but she didn't know who it was.

[@alyssahall2716]

I personally would have ask who killed her and found her body cause I feel like most people who go missing and are gone for like 11months are found dead I don’t think it’s to weird to me. I also hope that Jeanette alerted the cops because how did the cops get wind that Martin was sus idk. I guess I fell in love with jeanettes character as someone who is weird as well and I want to think she is not actually a psycho

[@Cttpdancer4life]

honestly same, If i was in this situation I would have probably asked about her body too because she was missing for so long and would probably assume she was dead. But also with Jeanette's involvement she knew she was alive except due to the gunshots that she heard. With that saying though, I still want to give Jeanette the benefit of the doubt and hope that she was the one that tipped off the cops although that is highly doubtful with the way she smiled when she heard Kate in the basement and the way she acted on the Marsha Bailey show. Like I know Jeanette is crazy but there's still apart of me that likes her character for some reason

[@laraemeyer]

I feel like Martin might have made up the police having stopped by so that he could further manipulate Kate. The whole suicide thing was a way to manipulate Kate into feeling bad for him and possibly to protect him, etc. Martin wasnt actually going to take his life, but he didnt expect Kate to point the gun at him.

[@chanelinlouboutin]

@@laraemeyer For sure! He was shocked when she took that gun and pointed it at him. He never planned to kill himself. He was gaslighting her some more. His whole speech about "remember you were loved." Fuck outta here you creep!

[@chanelinlouboutin]

@@Cttpdancer4life You can like the character that's psycho without having to rationalize them. She's straight psycho and it's fascinating to watch, especially since she's gotten away with it.

[@laraemeyer]

@@chanelinlouboutin for real the way he switched up from “go live your life” immediately to “nvm we can do this!!” was crazy

[@Laundrey1]

Olivia Holt’s cover of my favorite Smashing Pumpkins song, Disarm, and also the cover of Creep was so iconic. These were some of my favorite alternative songs of the 90s and I loved the remakes in this episode. Definitely brought out the emotions of the scene where she kills Martin and is singing Disarm.

[@andrewnwokocha]

When I tell you I was SHOOK at the end of that last episode!!! Especially because I was on Jeanette’s side the entire time but then to find out she not only knew Martin had Kate trapped there but SMILED at it! I mean Kate shouldn’t have lied but holy fuck🤯🤯

[@laraemeyer]

True, and i feel like Kate only lied bc she felt a little invalid for initially going to Martin’s willingly (even though he manipulated her and did end up trapping her) i think she didnt want to be judged or disbelieved.

[@andrewnwokocha]

@@laraemeyer Thats true. I was kind of mad at the fact that she could’ve left at anytime and chose to stay there even when she didn’t really want to. But then again he kind of tricked her into thinking that nobody wanted her and made it seem like he was the only one she would need(then ofc trapping her there). It was at the time she thought she saw Jeanette was at the time she was there at her own will amd made it seem like Jeanette knew she was kidnapped at the time

[@YOyellowsubmarine]

Something I’ll never understand is why the police never investigated why his body was lying there all night before she called the cops

[@jaslynncervantes7232]

Kate has money, her parents probably bribed the police.

[@jollywallyholly]

Also, she would have to go upstairs to use the phone to call the police, but I’m pretty sure she was found in the basement. Did she lock herself back up before the police got there?

[@Chicsummer2]

There’s a lot of pieces still missing. I’m not buying the Annabelle story either

[@juanitamorgan5475]

If there's anything that final scene in the episode showed me is that Jeanette wants to be Kate Wallace so bad no wonder she asked one of Kate's friends where they found Kate's body and if she was dead it's like that's what she's hoping for that way she can permanently take over Kate's life and be her that girl doesn't want to be herself she wants to be Kate that's why when she went into the house one last time and I heard case voice she started smirking like an evil witch because she knew but never said anything if ever she did say something she would fade out into the background once the popular girl returns but I'm rooting for a kid from now on I'm done with Jeanette she really is a freaking creep and I think the only one who truly knew was Mallory but she had everyone else fooled

[@mauimonique]

I never thought Jeanette was innocent. She had this desperation that I couldn’t overlook….

[@ashleyyyluvsu100]

I went through so much with these characters. Everyone I didn’t like in the beginning I like in the end and I liked Jeanette but now I don’t 😩 the last scene like girlllll 😭😂

[@remembermsmoore]

I still don’t like Mallory lol

[@dominiquesanchez7254]

I like Jeanette still. Some theories think she heard kate and alerted the authorities thats why they came to house to search, but couldnt so thats why mr. Harris said theyd be back with a warrant. And the reason she didnt open the door is because she didnt have a story as to why she was in the house or try and be a hero. Thats also why she was so freaked out by the gun shot and the news of they found kate. She thought mr. Harris killed her before the cops could search his house. I personally like this theory so ima stick with it lol

[@MarissaCooperButPoor]

@@dominiquesanchez7254 Man I like this so much!

[@morgansteward1359]

When I tell you, im so mad! Jeanette really had me fooled. Im so glad that I got all the answers I wanted but Jeanette is a psycho. All because she wanted her life. Kate was definitely wrong for lying and Mallory has some things she needs to work on. All three of them need help. If there is a season 2, I really hope Jeanette gets what she deserves, you don’t leave someone who has been kidnapped in a basement, things will not end well for her.

[@andrewnwokocha]

The crazy part is that I was literally defending her the entire time! Of course it was sus that she was literally taking Kate’s identity while she was missing, i didn’t really think she would really leave someone there. Especially since Kate lied about the whole situation was Martin.

[@morgansteward1359]

@@andrewnwokocha same! I really believed that she was innocent. I felt like there were too many holes in kates story. Like I said, all of them are messed up. Mallory is still bitter and needs to let things go, Jeanette is a straight up psycho and Kate lies and hides too much

[@andrewnwokocha]

@h̳y̳u̳n̳j̳i̳n̳s̳i̳n̳d̳e̳x̳f̳i̳n̳g̳e̳r̳ in this case that’s practically the same thing given the fact that she was happy about Kate being kidnapped and out of sight. She could have became popular without that happening

[@Noa......]

@@morgansteward1359 Kate really thought Jeannette saw her. Martin did groom and kidnap Kate.

[@morgansteward1359]

@@Noa...... yes, that did happen but she lied about her interaction w Martin and how she was kidnapped

[@PreddieGurlO1]

Honestly I wanted Jeanette to go down lol. She was guilty from the very beginning for me. Although Kate went to Martins willingly, that doesn’t beside the fact that she was still held captive by him and that’s why I stood beside her lmao

[@JennBunny13]

My question is why did Jamie ask Jennette what she did to her? And then punch her because it was just right after they found Kate & I didn’t think she blamed her until later

[@bettsa10]

Exactly my thought!

[@cnn3471]

Wasn’t there rumors going around by that time

[@JennBunny13]

@@cnn3471 I didn’t think so cause she was at the girls house and then they ran over to his house but maybe the time didn’t match up. It was weird to me cause it was before the interview

[@MissSeaShell]

@@JennBunny13 I'm sure Kate talked to Jaimie before the interview. She was pissed when she found out he was dating Jeanette and probably told him right away

[@JennBunny13]

@@MissSeaShell I guess the timeline didn’t show that since it showed the new she ha s just been rescued but maybe he had gone to see her

[@rainrahman4024]

i also had a weird feeling about jeannette the entire season. also throughout the whole story, jeannette has been giving partial truths. she said she only broke into martin's home to play hide and seek, she told mallory she flushed her mom's weed down the toilet but kept a portion of it, and she also said she didn't *see* kate, but we know she heard kate. there's something very wrong with jeannette and hopefully we actually see more of her next season.

[@taniamejia5359]

Everyone on this show has been lying. Vince is the only genuine good person.

[@MaddyIts2am]

I think cruel summer season 2 would be best done as a fresh story with the same cast tbh? this was just such a satisfying ending to a thriller show.

[@MarissaCooperButPoor]

I agre but at the same time how could a new story be as intriguing as this one without it being repetitive? I was actually still left with a few questions at the end of the season, like: how did the police know to go to Martin's house after all that time? It was enough to make him freak out and decide to go down to the basement with Annabelle. Someone must have said something. And did he actually have other victims? Like that girl from his previous town? I know it feels concluded, it had an amazing ending, but I feel like they haven't answered all of our questions.

[@hiedicarlson3310]

I wish Jeanette would've name dropped Mallory like Kate did her

[@crazygirllulu1234]

If she did then that would expose that she went there more than once.

[@Desireems84]

This series is great. Like PLL except the questions actually get answered. Lol

[@lostforever773]

P l l sucks

[@LilysCorner143]

It feels like mallorys line in the first ep about wanting to do something bad or illegal was the start of it all for Janette

[@biancafoster5083]

The saddest part is Jeanette probably would of never turned into a weirdo if it wasn’t for Mallory she’s the one who made up this list of all these illegal things to do and got Jeanette sucked into it her and Vincent were good kids before she corrupted them they were so terrified to even be near weed ffs

[@MohamedMohamed-qn3ii]

I really thought Annabelle would’ve been a second personality. I thought Kate developed dissociative personality disorder to shelter herself from the fear and abuse Martin caused after locking her in the basement, and she developed Annabelle to protect her from it. And finally Annabelle came out and killed Martin at the end to save Kate

[@rosequartzs]

Yall dont yall remember kate’s mum saying jeanette’s mum wanted to be like her and that the apple dsnt falls far from the tree and when jeanette’s mun said her version of the story to jeanette saying she has the same genes, well APPARENTLY SHE DOES!

[@AnnJo-gq8gu]

Jeannette's mother also said that it was Kate's mother who followed her everywhere because she was popular 🤔

[@annaathey8827]

In the end scene of the final episode, we see that Jeanettes hair is now straight suggesting that it was a scene that happened after Christmas. We don’t know what day this event happened on but it appears to have been on a warm sunny day judging by the light in the room and Jeanettes attire. Another question I have, is why the police showed up at the house the day before Kate was rescued? How did anyone know to investigate? I think the end scene of the season finale took place just days before Kate was rescued from the basement. I think it is possible that Jeanette, even though she did not release Kate immediately due to not wanting to be found lurking in the house, may have made an anonymous call instead that led to the police arriving at the house initially. It is a possibility. Maybe will find out in season 2!

[@kylienychole7678]

I love that you put timestamps on this video. Also, had no idea that was Olivia Holt singing. The last scene for sure creeped me out. Edit: When Kate and Jeanette went down to the basement and the blood stain was on the carpet, I definitely thought Kate had a baby in there and that Annabelle was her baby. Although it makes no sense, that's what I thought for a good minute or two.

[@marlowemichaelson1366]

A few problems for me with the finale: - I hate that the twist is based on omission from the writers. Like how you said - Jeanette knew she was there, but she didn’t see Kate on THAT night. Like ugh, I get that it’s a twist but it feels like a cop out, like we didn’t see it coming only because we didn’t ask the right questions about WHEN she knew Kate was there. - We never see exactly how Jeanette got popular. We just see it being taken away from her and we also see her get her braces removed. But HOW did she actually get popular? - So is the point of Jeanette’s arc is that she is gonna be a burglar when she grows up? It’s just so weird that she is breaking into this random house regardless of who owns it. She is just casually breaking into houses and stealing shit. I get that it’s like a character flaw but it’s a crappy one. - In hindsight, Jamie didn’t really have much impact on the story. All he does is drift from place to place sulking. - Vincent is the real victim of all of this!

[@e.erin.]

I KNEW IT. The part that has ALWAYS haunted me was when the news came that Kate Wallace had been “found” and the first thing out of Jeanette’s mouth was “Do they know who killed her?” That kept replaying in my head. I knew there had to be SOMETHING and was so bothered when it turned out to be Mallory. This was actually the first time I even liked Mallory. Lol. The way she explained herself is precisely what I was thinking, too: She didn’t see you locked in a basement, she saw you upstairs and free. Why would that alarm her? Anyway Jeannette has bugged me from the start. She’s always had that weird little demented smile, and she was sneaky and manipulative. There are people who accuse anyone who believed Kate of only choosing her because of her “privilege”? Come on. It was so easy to see and sense that something wasn’t right about Jeannette. Something has been off about her from the beginning. Privilege. Okay. 🙄

[@ShanellB]

I always knew Jeanette was sneaky as hell. Remeber the time she said she was going to throw away the weed that Mallory took from her mother. but instead kept it for herself and she did her creepy smile then. She has a lot of sneaky ways. Also, I felt that Kate committed murder because he was never there to kill her. She didn't have to kill him but I felt she didn't want anyone to know the truth.

[@rachelabbott1338]

So… many… questions… I feel like they could have had at least a few more episodes to tie up all the ends with jeannettes parents and you didn’t even see Kate’s parents react to her lying this whole time and choosing not to come home when she could have. Too many questions to think of right now.

[@Shineonmedia]

Agree

[@theoreticalcatgirl]

Everyone should’ve seen this coming. Especially after the ep where Mallory took Kate skating for her bday. Super cute and romantic.

[@spreadhappiness3250]

Jeanette better get what she deserves she piss me off so much 😭

[@cherrypie2257]

omg i can't bear her... please✋

[@dannyhastings5623]

She kind of did though

[@Noa......]

@@dannyhastings5623 Nope. By the end, the public felt sorry for "villianising her." And now, she is the perfect victim in the eyes of all. All according to her plan.

[@unwantedumbrella1842]

@@Noa...... I think they jut meant that she endured the whole "most hated person" thing and helped her dad get rid of graffiti, but yeah you're also right.

[@helink.3263]

The actor who plays Jeanette is just amazing she was acting so weird the whole time her face voice talking just everything I kind of knew there was something wrong with her especially because of her eyes she acted so good👏👏

[@chanchan-82]

How could kate say on TV that Jeanette saw her, that proves that kate wasnt in the basemant! Mhmmm why noone questioned this?

[@tashakitty888]

True. I think that’s why everyone was questioning two way mirrors to make that fit somehow.

[@chanchan-82]

@@tashakitty888 yes maybe :)

[@Shineonmedia]

Kate did lie. She honestly thought Jeanette saw her though but was hiding the fact she was not in the basement yet. Seeing how paranoid the statement kate made Jeanette though, it made it seem like maybe Jeanette did see kate in the basement which is why the final scene of the show just confirms why Jeanette was caught off guard and scared at first then relieved to find out the time Kate thought she saw her was not the same time she actually had heard Kate in the basement.

[@quizbangandedits1134]

@@Shineonmedia but she was wrong to have say Jeanette saw her when she saw someone in a black hood. She wasn't even KIDNAPPED AT THE TIME

[@erikablue9653]

She knew the whole time !!!!

[@livewiiiiire]

So sad this season is over, but I will miss your recaps of it the most! Good thing there is tons of good content on your channel:) Loved this video and thank you as always!!❤️

[@saturninoperez9083]

I think the second season should be a different story and I feel this one ended already, in this story I had no fave character in show like in (love Victor) Felix is my fave! It was a decent ending in my opinion for cruel summer

[@izzyjoshuadavis]

Me and my friends said that Mallory gives off lesbian vibes for sure. So I wasn't necessarily surprised by the kiss. And Kate just seems like she wants someone to love. So 🤷‍♂️

[@user-qj7zk1zn9f]

I always got those vibes from her too and I saw their relationship coming from the roller skating episode 💀

[@Noa......]

People who claim to sense someone's "gay vibes" usually relies on stereotypes.

[@izzyjoshuadavis]

@@Noa...... well considering I am gay and she gave off gay vibes I guess it worked to my benefit.

[@Noa......]

@@izzyjoshuadavis Even gay people conflate sexuality with gender performance. No exception to some.

[@izzyjoshuadavis]

@@Noa...... well whatever. It's not like it was said maliciously. Anyway, bye.