Cruel Summer: Why Kate Forgives [SPOILER] So Quickly

One of the driving plot points behind Cruel Summer season 1 was that Kate accused Jeanette of seeing her at Martin’s house, but the finale revealed that it was actually Mallory who saw her. Kate was furious when she believed it was Jeanette, but forgave Mallory right away.

Cruel Summer follows teens Kate and Jeanette over the course of three summers. During that first summer, Kate disappears for the better part of a year. After she returns home, she reveals that she was held captive by her vice principal. She also states on national television that Jeanette saw her in Martin’s home, but did nothing to help her. That accusation stirred a public controversy and nasty trial.

Kate was convinced Jeanette saw her because she saw a hooded figure on Jeanette’s bike outside Martin’s window one day. But the Cruel Summer season 1 ending revealed that it was Mallory on Jeanette’s bike outside that night. But once Kate confronted Mallory about this revelation, she let it slide. It’s because she loved Mallory and grew to understand some things are more important than the truth.

After Kate escaped Martin’s house, she became a different person. She struck up an unexpected friendship with Mallory, who eventually became her rock. Because of that, the two girls grew incredibly close to one another. They understood each other better than anyone else. So when Kate learned why Mallory never admitted that she saw her at Martin’s house, she automatically understood why. When Mallory saw her, Kate and Martin were still in a relationship. Mallory understood what she saw as a woman living freely in his home, so didn’t see anything wrong. But once she realized what was going on, Mallory was torn. She could have saved Kate, but doing so would’ve revealed that Kate lied and willingly went into Martin’s home. Mallory carried immense guilt with her for the entirety of Cruel Summer season 1.

That understanding between the two teens is why Kate was able to immediately forgive Mallory in Cruel Summer. While keeping that information to herself meant an extended stay against her will at Martin’s, it also meant that Mallory was able to keep Kate’s secret on her behalf. Kate’s whole testimony in the case against Jeanette was that she was an unwilling prisoner in Martin’s home. If that information got out, it would have ruined Kate. Both girls were protecting each other because they loved each other deeply. As that kiss in the season finale proved, it was more than as friends. Cruel Summer season 1 revolved around lies and half-truths. But Kate and Mallory’s relationship proved that sometimes there are benefits of keeping secrets for those you love.

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