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‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Is the Best Teen Drama Since ‘Dawson’s Creek’
Emily Longeretta SPOILER ALERT: This story contains spoilers from Season 2 of “The Summer I Turned Pretty.” The teen drama isn’t a new genre — it’s been around for decades. But on television, the offerings have been lacking in recent years, with shows feeling pressure to add something more — usually in the from of a supernatural creature — than just relationship-based storytelling. Many shows appear to be afraid to do just that, despite the fact that it’s what The WB (RIP) and The CW (RIP x2) were built on. The word “ship” started circulating more on social media during “The Vampire Diaries,” which thrived when it leaned into Stelena, Delena, Klaroline, etc., rather than the bloodsucking. Years later, the remake of “Roswell” succeeded most when Malex’s growing love was examined, rather than the aliens in town.