Drama
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Based on novel by Jenny Han, this series follows the complex love life of Belly, a young girl caught between two boys who are childhood friends as she joins the world of debutantes.
Even with nine months to prepare, I don’t think anyone has felt fully equipped to give birth to and raise a baby.
And high schooler Olympia Chalmers-Davis had only a few minutes to come to terms with her situation.
Olympia (who goes by Oly) has big dreams. She’s a diligent student with achievement awards lining her bedroom walls. Oly and her boyfriend have a great relationship, and she has faithful friends, such as Reema, as well.
But Oly’s life changes forever on one fateful day.
“You are, like, off-the-scale moody” observes Oly’s mother, Angie, as they drive to school.
“Should I get someone?” asks Reema as Oly vomits while doubling over in pain.
And as she’s wheeled into an ambulance, the paramedics ask Angie, “Is it possible she’s pregnant?”
During the ambulance ride to the hospital, Oly gives birth to a baby girl. Oly didn’t even realize she was pregnant, and her parents, Angie and Dom are equally shocked. What’s more, Oly’s long term boyfriend, Lachie, knows the baby isn’t his.
When the nurse brings the baby to Oly, Oly commands, “Get that thing away from me.” She wants nothing to do with this imposition on her dreams. In fact, four days after giving birth, Oly returns to school, hoping things will go back to the way they were.
But as Oly spends time with the baby (named J), she realizes she wants to keep her. Despite challenges and opposition, Oly learns how to be a mom while still pursuing her academic goals. And the baby’s father, Santi, discovers what it means to be a dad as well.
Although Oly’s complicated situation begins when she has a one-night stand with Santi, Bump shares a positive and inspiring message. We live in a culture that asserts if a career-pursuing woman gets pregnant, her life is over. Oly’s journey demonstrates that these assertions are untrue. Her life and priorities undoubtedly change, but Oly doesn’t have to sacrifice the rewarding experience of being a mom in lieu of her academic career.
In fact, both Oly and Santi learn what it looks like to raise a child, and their experiences are endearing and inspiring.
Oly’s journey explores every aspect of motherhood. There’s talk about female anatomy, menstruation, postpartum and breastfeeding. Oly’s birth experience features blood, vomiting and pain.
Additionally, Bump features some scenes in which couples have sex under the covers, and sometimes characters wear only their underwear. Angie has a romantic relationship with a married coworker, and she intends to end her current relationship with Dom. And despite her unfaithfulness, Angie believes that her actions are justified, because she’s doing what makes her happy.
Some episodes also feature a gay couple. And characters use profanity such as misuses of God’s name, “b–ch” and “d–k.”
Bump’s content, like Oly’s situation, is complicated. The show offers a sweet and inspiring story about new parents, but it also focuses on relational unfaithfulness and features other problematic content.
Santi wants to be more involved in J’s life, but Oly isn’t sure if he can handle caring for the baby all night. Meanwhile, Santi’s stepmom, Rosa, expresses anger when her husband, Matias, cheats with Angie (who is having an identity crisis of her own).
Several characters deal with relationship problems and unfaithfulness. Angie is moving away from her former partner, Dom, and the two have decided to take turns living with Oly. After Matias has sex with Angie, Rosa throws eggs at Angie’s apartment and makes Matias sleep outside. Later, Rosa tells a character that Angie “screwed her husband.”
Oly and Santi share some intimate moments. They cuddle in bed while Santi’s shirt is off, and the couple shares some kisses. Angie goes to a club where she sees people dancing slightly sensually. While Rosa and Dom converse, they drink alcohol, and some drinks are seen at the club as well.
Oly learns how to pump breastmilk, and she also breastfeeds her baby (though nothing critical is seen). Oly learns that Angie was depressed after her pregnancy, and during a Yoga session, Angie wonders if she’s still depressed now. Oly asks if Angie is “missing the daily witching hour” by being alone in an apartment.
While taking care of the baby alone, Santi realizes J’s nose is congested. Not knowing what else to do, he uses his own mouth to suck the mucus out of the baby’s nose. The moment is a little gross, but Santi’s desire to be a good dad is endearing. Santi worries about his parenting abilities, telling Oly, “I don’t think I’m any good at this.” Oly replies that he is good but admits that “it is a lower bar for dads.”
A character has a flashback to the night when his mother died. We hear the word, “geez.”
Based on novel by Jenny Han, this series follows the complex love life of Belly, a young girl caught between two boys who are childhood friends as she joins the world of debutantes.
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