Cruel Summer season 2 almost had a different twist for Luke’s killer, which would have made the ending more surprising. Isabella as the killer was somewhat predictable due to her suspicious behavior and similarities to Jeanette in season 1. The writers considered making Debbie, Megan’s mother, the killer, which would have been unexpected, added depth to her character, and avoided a pattern of criminalizing main characters.
Cruel Summer Season 2
The finale of Cruel Summer season 2 aimed to shock viewers, and the initial fakeout with Luke’s brother created some suspense. However, Isabella’s guilt was not a complete surprise. Previous episodes hinted at her darker past, and her behavior throughout the season was suspicious, similar to Jeanette’s in season 1. This made the identity of Luke’s killer somewhat predictable. The writers had other plans in mind that would have revealed a more surprising character as the murderer.
Isabella was an obvious choice for the killer given her failed romance with Luke. However, the writers also considered other options. Showrunner Elle Triedman mentioned in an interview that Debbie, Megan’s mother, was a potential suspect. Debbie being the killer would have been unexpected, as she wouldn’t be an obvious suspect. However, she had a motive for killing Luke, as he caused pain for her daughter and the girl she considered a second child. Debbie’s relationship with Luke’s father would have also provided her with the opportunity to commit the murder.
Choosing Debbie as the killer would have saved the ending of Cruel Summer season 2. The reveal would have been totally unexpected, unlike Isabella, and it would have provided depth to Debbie’s character. It would have also prevented a predictable pattern of criminalizing main characters, which is something that should change in future seasons. Making Debbie guilty would have aligned with the show’s message that everyone has dark secrets and would have portrayed her as a sinister and manipulative mother. It would have also mirrored Jeanette’s actions, keeping with the overarching themes of the show without repeating the formula of season 1.
In conclusion, Cruel Summer season 2 originally intended to have a different character as Luke’s killer, which would have made the ending more surprising. Isabella as the killer was somewhat predictable, and the writers considered choosing Debbie, Megan’s mother, instead. Making Debbie the killer would have created an unexpected twist, added depth to her character, and avoided a repetitive pattern of criminalizing main characters.
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