Cruel Summer: 10 Things Fans Find Confusing, According To Reddit
Now that season 1 of Cruel Summer has finished airing, fans have gotten the answers that they were excited for. As is often the case with a well-written mystery, the last few minutes of the season finale shared some major details and featured a wild revelation that changed the entire show. While it appeared that Jeanette Turner is innocent and she never saw Kate Wallis in Martin Harris's house, viewers discovered that Jeanette heard Kate talking in the basement and decided to say nothing.
Even though many questions have been answered, the show takes place over three summers in the 1990's, which does leave room for lots of confusion. Fans have discussed some of the series elements that have made them scratch their heads on Reddit.
10 Mallory Never Wants To Be Friends With Jeanette Again
Of all the Cruel Summer fan theories, one that keeps coming up suggests that Mallory is the one who sees Kate and knows her secret. Reddit user cgibanshee isn't sure about Mallory's motivation for ending her friendship with Jeanette and then becoming close with Kate. The fan wrote, "Mallory gets annoyed with Jeanette for acting like Kate, and seems to dislike Kate even though she wasn't your typical high-school mean girl or anything, but then ends up befriending Kate and still disliking Jeanette for how she's acting?"
It's definitely true that Mallory claims to hate everything that Kate stands for and then the two become a big part of each other's lives, so it makes sense that some are confused about why she can't mend her relationship with Jeanette.
9 The Timeline Surrounding Kate Coming Home Is Confusing
Since the Cruel Summer timeline falls over three years, there's bound to be some scenes that seem hard to place. Reddit user Gabsworl isn't sure about how fast Kate talks to Jamie Henson about Jeanette seeing her in the house. The fan explained, "we know that Kate was rescued on that same day but did she immediately called and told him the lie that Jeannette had seen her? Cause I doubt that Jamie was her first priority that day."
It does seem strange that Kate would leave such a traumatic ordeal and tell her boyfriend about Jeanette right away, as she would likely be comforted by her family who are so relieved to have her back home.
8 Why Doesn't Mallory Say Anything?
While not every fan theory was right, Mallory does have a deep investment in the question of whether Jeanette saw Kate or not, and she also has lots of important information. Reddit user NoYard4718 wonders why Mallory doesn't tell the cops what she knows. The fan explained, "Knew that Jeanette was breaking into Martins house a lot and never said anything to the police about it and she knew Jeanette had been in the house on Christmas Eve and she never said a word to anyone. It’s bizarre to me."
Mallory's decision to keep silent is odd, although she comes clean in the season 1 finale and shares that she saw a blonde woman in the house and assumed that they were there by choice. She should talk to someone about it because she can tell that something is off.
7 Kate Should Understand Why Jeanette Is Suing Her
Kate and Jeanette are two of the smartest Cruel Summer characters, and right away, fans learn more about them through the lawsuit that Jeanette has brought forward. Reddit user Dionne20_ posted that it doesn't make sense that Kate would be confused that Jeanette is suing her. The fan wrote, "That is a big accusation you are placing all on Jeanette."
This is a good point since Kate should realize that going on national television and blaming Jeanette and ruining her reputation does have consequences. It would be hard for Jeanette to move on from this easily.
6 Kate Yells At Jeanette About The Wrong Thing
Viewers may be torn on taking Kate or Jeanette's side before the big reveal in the season 1 finale, but a fan pointed out that Kate's behavior when she comes home is confusing. One Redditor posted, "Anyone notice that when Kate was yelling at Jeanette between the cars all she mentioned was the 'taking over her life' part? NOTHING about her being seen. You'd think that's what she'd be most angry about."
In the last episode of season 1, Kate forgives Jeanette and agrees that Jeanette never saw her, but when she still believes that Jeanette is guilty, it would make more sense if she focused on Jeanette not helping her. Instead, she seems more focused on Jeanette dating Jamie and befriending her pals.
5 When Does Kate Talk To Ash Online?
Kate's stepsister Ashley Wallis is one of the most likable Cruel Summer characters and it's sweet to learn that she has been talking to Kate in a chat room, hoping to help her process what has happened. One Redditor explained, "i’m just confused as to when ash joins the chat 94 or 95." Reddit user Astorica cleared this up: "Ash starts joining the chatroom after talking to Derek in 1994."
While this timeline is explained, it's a bit tricky at first since, as a fan pointed out in the Reddit thread, viewers see various scenes not in any kind of order.
4 What Are Fans Supposed To Think About Jeanette?
Reddit user ThinParamedic7859 isn't sure about Jeanette's character development and asked, "What does Jeanette's character signify?" and explained, "Is she a lesson about not judging a book by its cover?" or is the show saying something about popularity?
The fan explained that it's confusing that Jeanette seems to veer between innocent and guilty throughout season 1, which is a fair point, and it makes sense that some would wish that Jeanette's true personality would be more obvious. However, it's also true that the show wouldn't be so mysterious and interesting to watch if Jeanette was more clear-cut.
3 Who Calls The Police?
After a fan started a Reddit thread asking about the timeline when Kate leaves Martin's house and goes back home. Some fans thought that Jeanette called the police, but it seems like that might not be true. The showrunner told Refinery 29 that Jeanette hears Kate in the basement and then several months pass. Reddit user Dazzling_Ambition878 wrote, "That means she definitely didn't tip off the police, I was wondering about that even if I thought it was unlikely. But then who called the police?"
Reddit user Noashe_Rose explained "Kate says she stayed all night with Martin before calling the police," which seems to clear up this question. The timeline does take a while to make sense, though.
2 Why Does Jeanette Sneak Into Martin's House Often?
Jeanette is one of the most suspicious Cruel Summer characters, especially since viewers often see her hiding in Martin's house. Reddit user pastequelacroixx was confused by Jeanette's behavior here, explaining, "It is weird to me that Jeanette keeps sneaking into his house, however. That would terrify me I’d be so afraid i would get caught and maybe it’s all the stranger danger stuff I’ve heard all my life but being in a grown man’s house alone would terrify me if I were Jeanette."
Even though Jeanette is revealed to be someone with a dark past who is wrong to leave Kate in Martin's house for many months, it's still strange that she would constantly break into Martin's home. It's not really clear what she's looking to find there.
1 The General Timeline Is A Little Tough To Follow
When a fan posted on Reddit asking if anyone else was confused by the show's general timeline, one Redditor replied, "A few times it does go a couple days, I think; the first episode, the first half is Jeanette’s birthday, then it’s the next day when they go play hide and seek in 93/when Kate gets found in 94."
While the show does explain whether events take place in 1993, 1994, or 1995, there are definitely moments when it's hard to tell if scenes are taking place on the same day or not. But even though this aspect of the show can be tricky to understand, Cruel Summer is still a compelling series about friendship, reputation, and lies.