Off With A Bang

**Off With A Bang** is the third episode of Season 1 of *Cruel Summer*. The episode aired on April 27, 2021.

## Synopsis

Victim or villain? Jeanette continues to add fuel to the fire as her reckless behavior causes her friends and family to question her even more.

## Plot

The events that are about to unfold take place on approximately July 4th, 1993, 1994, and 1995.

1993. Jeanette fills out a “What kind of a girlfriend are you” test in a magazine, before examining her glasses. Cindy brings her a glass of orange juice and remarks that she loves seeing her whole face, thinking they should give contacts another try. Jeanette is against it as she doesn’t like touching her eyes. They watch a reporter, Molly Green, discuss Skylin’s annual fourth of July celebration. Someone sends off a firework behind her.

1994. Cindy watches Molly Green report on Kate’s case, where the police have confirmed that Kate Wallis has been interviewed and a statement from the family claims that Kate is planning to share her story publicly. Meanwhile, Skylin is preparing for its annual 4th of July party. Derek passes his mother and asks if she’s okay, to which Cindy is worried about Kate sharing her story since more people will know about Kate’s claims against Jeanette. Derek tells her that people already know as he’s been uninvited to two parties and Hank Stevenson has changed his mind about Greg listing his house. Cindy cuts him off as this is crazy since the rumors are baseless, as she knows Jeanette would never do anything like what Kate is claiming. Derek agrees and leaves. From the couch, Jeanette overhears the entire conversation.

1995. Jeanette stops a traffic light when Kate pulls up beside her. When Kate sees Jeanette she gets out of the car angrily, while Jeanette grips the wheel anxiously. Kate stalks to the car and bangs on the hood and then the window, telling her to get out. She yells that Jeanette stole her life because hers was pathetic but is enraged that she’s going after her family’s money. She demands what other sloppy seconds of hers Jeanette could want, all while Jeanette begs the light to turn green. Kate calls her a chicken shit coward and Jeanette runs the light to escape, while Kate screams after her that she’s trash.

1994. Derek tells Greg that he thinks Jamie hit Jeanette over the Kate accusation. He’s angry over it and together, they go to Jamie’s house to confront him. Jamie’s mother Paola answers the door, so Greg requests to speak with Jamie. He appears and tells his mother to give them a moment in Spanish, before turning to the men. Derek instantly asks if he hit Jeanette, and when Jamie hesitates, Greg presses for an answer. Jamie reluctantly admits that he did and Derek steps into the house only for Greg to pull him back. Paola interrupts to see if everything is okay, and when Jamie fails to tell Paola, Greg forbids Jamie to ever hit Jeanette or talk to her ever again. Paola tells them to leave and Jamie shouts after them that Jeanette isn’t who they think she is, and Greg directs his son to the car before telling Jamie that if he hits him again they’ll have a problem.

1995. The police bring Jamie home where Paola thanks Officer Kingsley for the escort, though they talked about loitering before. Kingsley corrects that Greg Turner is calling it stalking, though Jamie scoffs that it’s a public street. Kingsley urges him to pick a different one as he doesn’t want another call. Jamie sarcastically salutes the officer on the way to his room.

1993. Mallory shows Jeanette and Vince some marijuana that she stole. Item number nine is to swipe contraband from the home, so she stole her mother’s weed stash. Vince shows some wine he swiped from his parent’s house and Jeanette stole her brother’s dirty magazine. Vince asks if she’s ever smoked before but she hasn’t, though she got a contact high before. She asks if Vince has but he hasn’t. Neither has Jeanette, so they don’t want to do it as it’s wrong but Mallory claims the list is full of bad things which is the point. Greg arrives to tell Mallory that her mom called and wants her home. When she leaves, Jeanette and Vince talk about the weed being over the line so he suggests burying it. She counters that they should tear it up and flush it. She leaves to flush it while Vince looks through Derek’s magazine.

1995. Jeanette watches the news report about her suing Kate, and that Molly Green thinks Jeanette is wired differently.

1994. Jeanette is visited by Officer William Kingsley and Detective Karin Anderson who want to speak with Jeanette. Greg and Derek arrive and Detective Anderson wants to speak with Jeanette about Kate Wallis. Kingsley says it isn’t needed but it would be helpful. Greg plans to get Cindy so they can be present.

1995. Vince is working at a movie store when he calls someone, Ben, who snips that he wants his father to invest in a caller ID. Vince opens up about giving his statement tomorrow which is freaking him out, and since Ben has talked to Denise already he thought Ben could help. Ben tells him not to call anymore and that he has to understand that every time he calls it brings him pain, and asks him to stop before hanging up.

Jeanette is scrubbing words off her car when Greg asks what the words “slam pig” mean, to which she rants that it disparages women and is another word for slut. He remarks that it’s wonderful and walks away.

1993. Jeanette plays Jenga with Vince when Mallory returns since her mother only needed help to find the remote. SHe asks for the pot back to which Jeanette nervously admits she flushed it. Mallory is stunned that she flushed it after she stole it from their list. Jeanette was trying to help. Mallory scoffs that she’ll be grounded now and leaves, though Vince runs after her.

1994. Detective Anderson tells Cindy they aren’t charging or holding Jeanette, just questioning her. They arrive in an interrogation room where Cindy is paranoid about what it is. Kingsley plans to ask her questions with her consent, which Jeanette isn’t worried about.

1995. Jeanette flips through the TV channels until she lands on a talk show host who slams her for being unrelatable. She changes the channel to a judge show where a woman cries about being the victim, not the villain. Jeanette sees that as likable and tries to mimic the speech.

1994. Detective Anderson shows Jeanette her necklace and asks how Kate ended up with it, to which Jeanette admits she threw hers away. Anderson asks why, and Jeanette explains it was given to her by an ex-friend before their falling out. She notes that the necklace is one of several that were sold there. Kingsley asks why she thinks Kate would lie about something so serious, to which Jeanette thinks it’s because she is dating Jamie Henson, Kate’s ex. They ask if the fight was about Kate, and when Jeanette blunders, they leave.

1995. Jeanette continues to practice her emotional speech.

1994. Cindy tells Greg that the necklace is Jeanette’s and that she just lied to the police, which makes her wonder what else is a lie. Greg tells her to stop as the rumors are just rumors that are spread by people bored with their lives. Cindy hopes so but she isn’t sure. Jeanette asks if they’re ready for the fireworks. Greg tells her to take a seat and tells her about seeing Jamie and that he knows Jamie hit her. He understands that things can be confusing but it isn’t okay for anyone to hit her. She tries to deny it but he reminds her that they don’t lie and she shouldn’t be near Jamie. She asks if mom knows but Greg is afraid Cindy will shoot a Roman Candle at the Henson’s.

1994. Vince stacks the movie store when Kate enters looking for a movie. Mallory enters in search of a movie and sees Kate. Kate checks out Silence of the Lambs, Misery, and Groundhog Day - the third of which is for her dad. She takes the movie and leaves without her change. Vince locks the door behind her and confides in Mallory that the movie selection is weird, but Mallory thinks it might be comforting to see the monsters. Mallory refuses to mock her which surprises Vince. Mallory invites him over since her mother is going out with Edgar. Vince has plans which she hopes aren’t with Jeanette.

1993. Jeanette confides in Cindy about flushing the weed, to which Cindy assures her that it’s normal to outgrow friends. Jeanette isn’t sure people want to be her friends. Cindy reminds her that Kate Wallis was admiring her, and they could be friends like she and Joy were. Cindy was homecoming Queen with a long line of people wanting to date her, including Kate’s father. Even Rod Wallis was interested in her though she was married at the time. Joy, however, was awkward back then and followed her around. Jeanette doesn’t think she’s pretty enough for that but Cindy tells her the good genes are in her too, the braces will be off soon, and she’ll be dynamite. She recommends giving Mallory a peace offering and tells her about the fireworks, but Jeanette isn’t up to going out.

1994. Vince gets out of work and into a van where Ben asks if Mallory knows what they’re doing and where they’re going, but Vince issues him no.

1995. Jeanette is reading when Derek knocks on the door as he’s home for laundry. She tells him about seeing Kate and he apologizes for that. She misses the days when no one wanted her dead. They exchange banter before she tells him that a girl from Physics class called for him, Claire. He tells her to take Mom’s calls once and a while. She leaves the house when Greg asks if she’s sure that’s a good idea. He remarks that it wasn’t a good idea to leak the lawsuit to the press before serving Kate. She remarks that everyone will be at the fireworks but he coldly remarks that not everyone will be there and drinks another beer. She leaves the house and Vince watches from the driveway.

1994. Jeanette and Greg attend the 4th of July bash where she sees Jamie across the field. He ignores her and the other guests begin to stare and whisper at Cindy.

Vince and Ben are in the car together talking about Jeanette, and Ben asks if he really thinks Jeanette is innocent. Vince doesn’t have to lie for Jeanette because he believes her, so Ben notes that if Vince believes her then so does he - no matter what.

1993. Jeanette listens to the fireworks and goes to Martin Harris’s house. She knocks on the door and when no one answers, she uses her key to break in. She calls out for him and uses her flashlight to guide her way through the house.

1994. Ben and Vince pull into the driveway of a house. Vince can’t believe they’re doing this, but Ben remarks that a forum said it’s the place. They are ready because they’re with one another. They enter the house which is decorated in string lights with romantic music playing, and same-sex couples dancing. Ben holds Vince’s hand and they walk onto the dance floor together. He knows anything he says is a bad line, so Vince tells him he doesn’t have to say anything. Vince slowly puts his arms around Ben’s neck and they begin to slow dance. The bouncer remarks that the boys are underage, but the bartender, Minna, states this is a safe space for everyone and to let them dance - she just won’t serve them.

Jeanette approaches Jamie who doesn’t want to talk as her dad will throw him through a wall. He doesn’t want her to make this harder to which she tells him that she was questioned by the police. He was questioned too, but he didn’t have anything to hide. She tells him that she doesn’t either and he has to believe her. He tells her that even if he did he can’t abandon Kate. She asks Jamie to get Kate to talk with her but he refuses and tells her that Kate can’t find out about the kiss, to which she remarks that she’s good at keeping secrets. He calls her back to tell her that she told him that Kate went missing and that she knew before anyone else and asks how she knew. She walks away.

1993. Jeanette finds that Mr. Harris isn’t home and browses his book collection. She finds the Widow Falls High School 1992 graduation album and his Assistant Principal photograph. She hears a car door close.

1995. She breaks a window to get into the house.

1993. Jeanette watches the fireworks then runs out of the house. She visits Mallory and apologizes for the joints and shows her list number 13 - steal something. She gives him Martin Harris’s old yearbook, which shocks Mallory. Jeanette takes the list seriously and apologizes though Mallory is impressed. They agree to not be in a fight anymore. Mallory invites her inside and Jeanette eagerly agrees.

1995. Jeanette goes to the basement of Martin Harris’s house where she sees the boarded windows. Vince appears behind her and he confronts her. She asks him to go with her on this, reminding him of the first time they were here. She came down here and got a weird sensation - not that something bad had happened, but something bad was going to happen. He points out that isn’t an explanation. She worries she unleashed something down here and if she did set into motion the evil forces then she has the responsibility to undo it or try. She thought by coming back she could reverse things to a time before people wanted her dead. He asks if it’s working but it’s not. He tells her about calling Ben which makes her smile as she thought he quit that. He was hoping time would heal all wounds but it doesn’t. She apologizes to him.

1994. Vince talks to Denise about how long he’s known, Jeanette. They have lived next door since they were born. She asks what the nature of their current relationship is but he’s hesitant to answer, so he points out that Jeanette keeps to herself. She asks if Jeanette has ever lied but he can’t recall her ever doing so. Kate’s attorney points out that he and Mallory were with her when she first entered Martin’s home, which Vince notes are correct. He asks if Jeanette has ever gone back into the house.

1995. Vince asks her how many times she’s been in the house, to which she admits that she’s been there a lot as she gets a rush out of it.

1995. Vince states that to his knowledge she did not go into the house.

1993. Jeanette holds a joint and pretends to smoke it in front of her mirror.

1995. She asks if there’s something else he wants to ask her.

## Cast

### Starring

* Olivia Holt as Kate Wallis
* Chiara Aurelia as Jeanette Turner
* Froy Gutierrez as Jamie Henson
* Harley Quinn Smith as Mallory Higgins
* Allius Barnes as Vince Fuller
* Blake Lee as Martin Harris (credit only)
* Michael Landes as Greg Turner
* Brooklyn Sudano as Angela Prescott (credit only)

### Guest Starring

* Sarah Drew as Cindy Turner
* Barrett Carnahan as Derek Turner
* Nicole Bilderback as Denise
* Nathaniel Ashton as Ben
* Jason Douglas as Nick Marshall

### Co-Starring

* Sana Avila as Paola Henson
* Tonya Holloway as Detective Karin Anderson
* Ricco Fajardo as Officer William Kingsley
* Neyla Cantu as Molly Green
* David Matranga as Matt Donovan
* Taylor Murphy as Pretty Young Teenager
* Ra'jah O'Hara as Minna Pienny
* Beth Puorro as Bouncer
* Michael Clemons as Pundit

## Notes and Trivia

* *Off With A Bang* opened with a trigger warning for domestic violence and closed the episode by showing the National Domestic Violence hotline number.
* Ra'Jah O'Hara has a cameo appearance in *Off With A Bang* as a bartender named Minna. She was a contestant on the eleventh season of *RuPaul's Drag Race*.

## Gallery

### Videos

Cruel Summer - Season 1, Episode 3 Trailer - Jeannette Talks to the PoliceCruel Summer 1x03 Promo "Off With A Bang" (HD) Olivia Holt seriesCruel Summer Season 1, Episode 3 - Sneak Peek- Jamie Has Unexpected Visitors - FreeformCruel Summer Season 1, Episode 3 - Sneak Peek- What Will Kate Say? - FreeformCruel Summer Season 1, Episode 3 - Sneak Peek- Kate Goes After Jeanette - FreeformCruel Summer Season 1, Episode 3 - Derek and Greg Confront Jamie - FreeformCruel Summer Season 1, Episode 3 - Cindy Turner Reminisces About High School - FreeformCruel Summer Season 1, Episode 3 - Jamie Questions Jeanette - Freeform

## Featured Music

* Everywhere I Go by The Muffs
* Everything You Do by W. Booze
* Respect Yourself by Oscar Jackson
* Enemy by Jennifer Tefft
* Keeping Up the Groove by P. Baker
* Sure Feels Nice by Fastgun
* Fade Into You by Mazzy Star
* Fade Into You by Bleach Bath