The highly anticipated second season of Freeform’s hit series, “Cruel Summer,” kicked off with a captivating premiere episode titled “Welcome to Chatham.” The show takes a bold new direction, transporting viewers to Washington and immersing them in the intriguing world of the Y2K era.
The episode introduces us to Meghan, a young girl living in a small town near the water. Her best friend, Luke, comes from a wealthy family that owns most of the local businesses. Meghan’s family, on the other hand, is not well-off, and they often miss out on international trips due to financial constraints. To compensate, Meghan’s mother invites an exchange student named Isabella to live with them for the summer of 1999.
Initially, Meghan is less than thrilled about hosting a new kid, and her curiosity gets the best of her as she snoops through Isabella’s belongings upon her arrival. However, as time passes and we fast forward to December 1999, Meghan and Isabella have become inseparable friends.
The first episode primarily focuses on establishing the characters’ backgrounds and setting the stage for the season’s gripping storyline. Meghan is portrayed as a high-achieving student with aspirations of securing a computer science scholarship at the University of Washington. Isabella, on the other hand, is the daughter of diplomats who has spent her life moving around and yearns for a stable senior year in her home country. Complicating matters is Meghan’s secret crush on Luke, which intensifies when Isabella arrives and also shows interest in him.
By December 1999, Meghan manages to achieve her goal of earning the scholarship and takes a chance by making a move on Luke. However, her happiness is short-lived when she discovers that Luke and Isabella have hooked up, with a compromising sex tape of them being broadcast at Luke’s dad’s Christmas party. This betrayal sets the stage for the events that unfold in the year 2000.
In a striking transformation, Meghan adopts a gothic appearance in the year 2000, fully embracing the hacker stereotype with her all-black attire, thick eyeliner, eyebrow piercing, and slicked-back hair. She becomes involved in secretive activities, trading mysterious floppy discs for cash in abandoned buildings, while harboring a newfound animosity toward her own family. The question on everyone’s mind is, what happened to Meghan?
The answer lies in a missing person case that Meghan strongly believes Isabella is involved in. A girl confronts Meghan, blaming Isabella for all the troubles that have unfolded since her arrival. The situation becomes even more suspicious when Meghan overhears a conversation at the pharmacy, revealing that authorities have found a body in the lake. This prompts her to rush to a cabin, presumably owned by Luke’s family, where she discovers blood on the floor and frantically attempts to clean it. Innocence seems far-fetched at this point.
The episode leaves several loose threads and intriguing details that could potentially unravel as the season progresses. In December 1999, we learn that Luke’s mom and Meghan’s mom are dating, adding a layer of complexity to the already complicated relationships. A neighbor at the cabin, known for his late-night shotgun usage, also raises questions about potential disturbances. Additionally, Meghan drops an ID card resembling Isabella’s but bearing the name “Pat Highsmith,” which harks back to Meghan’s earlier inspection of Isabella’s passport in 1999. Furthermore, Jeff, a friend within their circle, is always recording events with his camcorder, foreshadowing its future relevance.
The episode’s conclusion delivers a shocking revelation, as we discover that Lucas, Meghan’s beloved best friend, is the one found dead. His father confirms this devastating news, leaving Meghan in shock. Isabella appears beside her and ominously remarks, “We have to get our stories straight,” indicating that both of them are entangled in a web of secrets and guilt.
The season premiere of “Cruel Summer” Season 2 sets the stage for a thrilling and twisted narrative. With the change in setting, the captivating characters, and the intricate web of secrets, viewers are in for an intense ride as they dive deeper into the mysteries surrounding Meghan, Isabella, and the events of the year 2000.