The Cruel Summer Podcast

s02e10 “Endgame” Sep 25, 2023

In s02e10 of Cruel Summer, we’re finally free. The “mystery” was resolved in the most boring and predictable way possible, and the audience is left to ponder who we were supposed to be rooting for this whole time anyway?

s02e09 “The Miseducation of Luke Chambers” Sep 20, 2023

In s02e09 of Cruel Summer, we are treated (subjected) to a bunch of extended flashbacks featuring the show’s worst, least interesting character: nepo Luke. Oh boy. Did you know that he had a distant relationship with his controlling father, and that his older brother is a sexist bully? Oh—you did?? Well uh… maybe you needed more reminding. God this show is like watching paint dry.

s02e08 “Confess Your Sins” Sep 11, 2023

Answers are spilling out all over on s02e08 of Cruel Summer, where we inch ever closer to this little weasel finally dying. Secrets are made—and then revealed two scenes later, sucking all the tension and drama out of them! The Sheriff finally looked at some of the footage from the Y2K party, and he’s got some new theories. And Isabella finally snaps.

s02e07 “It’s the End of the World” Sep 05, 2023

As we know it? In s02e07 of Cruel Summer, we’ve finally made it to the infamous Y2K party. The showrunner is co-writing the episode and Bill Purple is directing, so big things are gonna happen, right? Right?? Well, we get an obvious (but also unearned and poorly set up) heel turn from Luke, and Megan loses her scholarship due to horrendous plotting.

s02e06 “The Plunge” Aug 28, 2023

In s02e06 of Cruel Summer, Isabella has dumped Luke, giving Megan the all clear to go for him, much to the sad chagrin of Jeff, who has to watch it all happening right in front of him at Luke’s birthday part. In Winter ’99, Luke makes a move on Isabella and then lies to Megan and says she kissed him, and in Summer ’00, we learn some scant, vague details about Lisa’s death, and Parker conveniently overhears some new info and runs to tell the Sheriff. Also, suddenly Ned is a character on the show, with all sorts of red flags about his friendship with Megan. Red herring?? We’ll see, I guess.

s02e05 “All I Want for Christmas” Aug 21, 2023

In s02e05 of Cruel Summer, it’s theoretically Christmas in Winter ’99?? Even though we see more evidence of the holiday in Summer ’99. Isabella’s friend from Europe Trevor shows up in town and he suuuuuuuucks. She kisses him, gets caught by Megan, and sleeps with Luke to cover it. Then in Summer ’00, we find out her friend is actually dead, which we all saw coming 500 miles away. Cue Proclaimers song.

s02e04 “Springing a Leak” Aug 07, 2023

In s02e04 of Cruel Summer, it’s Festivus! And we’ve got a lot of problems with you people! In Summer 1999, we’re doing baby’s first fake ID bar visit. Megan is suddenly suspicious of Isabella having feelings for Luke in the Winter 1999 timeline because the script says so. And in Summer 2000, why haven’t they arrested Megan yet? Because she seems hella guilty.

s02e03 “Bloody Knuckles” Aug 01, 2023

In s02e03 of Cruel Summer, tensions are heating up. Or something. Isabella continues to be clingy in the past and shady in the present—and she has very poor gun safety discipline. Megan isn’t much better, and Luke remains a drip. Jeff is creepy video camera guy now? Ehhhh.

s02e02 “Ride or Die” Jul 24, 2023

As predicted, s02e02 of Cruel Summer gives us and Isabella-focused episode this week, where we learn a little bit more about the globetrotting diplomat’s daughter who thought it would be really cool to live in a small town for a year. There’s big secrets to keep because this show doesn’t operate by the rules of reality, and we get a few hints that maybe Isabella is not all she seems. And maybe some sapphic vibes?? Who even knows.

s02e01 “Welcome to Chatham” Jul 17, 2023

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. We’re back to cover the first episode of Season 2: “Welcome to Chatham.” Compared to Season 1, it’s… lacking. We’ll see. Need a little more intrigue, a little less Steve.

s01e10 “Hostile Witness” Jun 21, 2021

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. This week, we’re joined by friend of the pod Kaitlin Reilly to dissect the season finale. In s01e10 “Hostile Witness,” the trial finally arrives, and we learn the truth about what Kate and Jeanette saw, and who was lying.

s01e09 “A Secret of My Own” Jun 15, 2021

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. In s01e09 “A Secret of My Own,” an incredibly uncomfortable and upsetting episode, we get an unflinching look at how Martin Harris groomed his victim.

s01e08 “Proof” Jun 13, 2021

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. In s01e08 “Proof” Jeanette learns that Kate has gone missing, and can’t take any more of Mallory’s bullying.

s01e07 “Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis” Jun 11, 2021

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. In s01e07 “Happy Birthday, Kate Wallis” we see how Kate arrived in the clutches of Martin Harris after a blowout fight with her mother on her birthday.

s01e06 “An Ocean Inside Me” Jun 09, 2021

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. In s01e06 “An Ocean Inside Me” we see another side of Jeanette as she gets caught shoplifting and likes it, and blackmails a potential witness against her.

s01e05 “As the Carny Gods Intended” Jun 08, 2021

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. In s01e05 “As the Carny Gods Intended” we get a chance to see both Kate and Jeanette’s lives during some fateful encounters at the fairgrounds.

s01e04 “You Don’t Hunt, You Don’t Eat” Jun 05, 2021

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. In s01e04 “You Don’t Hunt, You Don’t Eat” Kate processes her trauma and reflects on how a predator was allowed into her life by trusted adults.

s01e03 “Off With a Bang” May 31, 2021

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. In s01e03 “Off With a Bang” we begin to see Jeanette’s proclivities for sociopathic tendencies.

s01e02 “A Smashing Good Time” May 26, 2021

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. In s01e02 “A Smashing Good Time” we’re introduced to the doomed Kate Wallis and her domineering mother over three years in 1993, 1994, and 1995.

s01e01 “Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner” May 18, 2021

James Taylor and Marco Sparks of Bros Watch PLL Too breakdown each episode of the FreeForm TV show Cruel Summer. In s01e01 “Happy Birthday, Jeanette Turner” we meet our heroine—or maybe villainess—Jeanette on her birthday over three years in 1993, 1994, and 1995.

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