Recap of “Last Christmas” – Season 3, Episode 2
The second episode of “Last Christmas” picks up right after the big reveal from the premiere. Berry starts to reconsider her relationship with Jeremiah after finding out he formed a connection with a girl named Rashi during their breakup. Olivia Rodrigo’s “Lacy” echoes in Berry’s mind, reminding her of a fight they had before the Cabo trip. That disagreement had been sparked by Jeremiah’s thoughtlessness and her frustration over his lack of direction, especially when compared to his more ambitious brother, Conrad.
Their arguments escalate, leading Jeremiah to suggest they call it quits. He might have felt this way for a while, and, in a moment of heated agreement, Berry goes along with the idea. They end their spring break abruptly, and Berry finds solace in her friend Taylor as she waits for text messages that never come. Taylor comments that “men are like dogs who hide when they choose to fight,” advising Berry to be patient and focus on her studies. Despite knowing Jeremiah’s nonchalance should raise flags, she remains hopeful. Jeremiah admits he’s messed up, particularly regarding Cabo, yet when he gifts her a Puka shell bracelet, they quickly brush things aside as if nothing had happened.
Fast forward, and now Berry is shutting herself in—she won’t even accept Taylor’s breakfast burrito. On one hand, Berry feels a connection between Taylor and Lacy because they are sorority sisters. This leads Taylor to confront Jeremiah when she sees him outside Berry’s dorm, hinting at his inadequacies. “You were supposed to be your ideal,” she expresses to him, leaving no room for reparations.
Both Berry and Jeremiah are navigating their heartaches. Berry turns to her roommate Annika, sharing that everything reminds her of Jeremiah, from her summer job to her plans. To escape, she calls her mom for a birth certificate and reveals she’s applying for a passport for a study abroad program in Paris. Her mom, Laurel, is thrilled about the opportunity, even if she’s unaware of the underlying reasons for Berry’s sudden choice.
Meanwhile, Jeremiah confides in his friend Redbird about feeling like he lost the best part of himself. Redbird correctly points out that, while he and Berry were technically on a break, they need to be honest about what happened in Cabo. He urges Jeremiah to stop just apologizing and start showing Berry he cares. Jeremiah follows this advice and admits to Berry that they were intimate twice in Cabo, but he cried afterward. This admission, however, doesn’t satisfy Berry as she’s in search of deeper explanations.
In a twist, while her actions weren’t as severe as Jeremiah’s indiscretions, Berry has her secret. Last Christmas, she found herself at Cousins Beach House, thinking she was alone, when suddenly Conrad showed up after a canceled trip. The two reignited a familiar rapport, enjoying each other’s company over old movies and crosswords. But when Conrad vanished the next morning, Berry chose not to share the experience with Jeremiah.
Although not outright betrayal like Jeremiah’s actions, Berry struggles with her lingering feelings for Conrad, recognizing a sticky note he left her with well wishes. She fills in a crossword clue they had worked on together, which nostalgically references another of Jenny Han’s novels.
As for Stephen and Taylor, things take a turn. Stephen breaks up with his invisible girlfriend and immediately asks Taylor out. However, Taylor is upset when Stephen admits this has happened, leading to a heated argument. She makes it clear she wants him to consider his breakup carefully. Unfortunately, Stephen proposes a try at a relationship just as he confesses his love for her. This revelation terrifies Taylor, prompting her to ask him to stop the car, which leads to a fateful collision when another vehicle strikes them.
Stephen survives but falls into a medically induced coma, leaving Taylor to manage frantic calls to his family and friends. She is joined by Berry, who feels a mix of emotions as they wait. When Jeremiah shows up, he maintains a distance but provides silent support. Laurel, upon finally checking her phone, feels guilt for not being there for her kids after the accident.
Conrad remains oblivious to these events until he receives news of Stephen’s accident while busy at a competitive summer clinic. He requests permission from his boss to make a call, but when he chooses to suppress his feelings instead of dealing with them, he botches a blood draw and faces repercussions at work. Agnes encourages him to confront his emotions and urges him not to let them control him. Taking her advice to heart, Conrad reaches out to Berry, breaking the silence since last Christmas.
As Stephen awakens, he reflects on the clarity gained from the accident. He realizes his previous doubts about Taylor were misguided. While this hits Taylor hard, instead of fighting for them, she seems resigned to let him decide. It’s tough to watch as she doesn’t stand her ground.
In the end, Berry chooses to embrace Taylor’s advice and overlook Jeremiah’s past mistakes. Although she acknowledges that Conrad was her first love, she sees Jeremiah as her future. Just as they regain their connection, Jeremiah asks her the big question: “Isabella Conklin, will you marry me?” Berry enthusiastically replies yes, bringing a whirlwind of possibilities. But questions linger— What about her plans for Paris? How will this affect her dynamic with Conrad? With a dramatic twist, the season certainly promises an emotional rollercoaster moving forward.
