💡 : The episode establishes a "he-said, she-said" mystery where the visual tone—bright in 1993, mature in 1994, and bleak in 1995—highlights the total disintegration of Jeanette's world. 'Cruel Summer' Episode 1 Recap: Unhappy Birthday(s)

In 1993, Jeanette is a shy, awkward 15-year-old with braces and glasses.

: She is a sullen, shaggy-haired outcast living in a house covered in graffiti. Her parents have separated, and her father's once-strong support is wavering.

One year later, everything has changed. Kate Wallis has been missing for months, and Jeanette has effectively stepped into her life.