Who is Benito in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3? Character explored in depth

In The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, viewers were surprised to see a new character named Benito in Belly's Paris days. The plot takes a new turn with Belly reeling from heartbreak and confusion, encountering this enigmatic character who feels like more than a casual acquaintance.

The audience immediately began wondering who Benito is, why he matters, and if his character has a connection to the original trilogy of books.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 has been filled with both dramatic scenes and subtle Easter eggs that refer back to Jenny Han's books. Benito's inclusion is one such detail that serves as a bridge between the books and the television series.

Though he might be perceived as a background character in the overall picture, his history and what his interactions with Belly signify make him noteworthy in a most important sense.

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Benito's arrival in the story of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3

Benito formally debuts in Episode 9 of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, which is "Last Call." When Belly cancels her wedding with Jeremiah, she opts to flee to Paris, only to be derailed further when her luggage is stolen. While attempting to retrieve her pilfered backpack, Belly encounters a group of young Europeans, among whom is Benito.

His entrance can be described as coincidental, but the timing is critical. Belly, emotionally at her lowest level, encounters Benito at the same time she starts exploring her new environment within a foreign city.

The encounter not only introduces us to Benito but also shows Belly's strength. When she chases her backpack back from the thief, Benito observes the scene happening and is immediately impressed by her courage and determination.

This initial encounter sets the tone for their short but significant time in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3.

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Who acts as Benito in Season 3?

Benito is played by actor Fernando Cattori, who is added to the cast for the Paris arc of Season 3. His addition brings a new element to Belly's story, giving fans a character that has not been seen in previous seasons of the series. Although Benito does not get a lot of screen time, his character stands out immediately due to the interesting manner in which he is integrated into Belly's story.

Including Benito in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 is also indicative of how the show makes creative changes to Jenny Han's books. Although Benito does not play a major role in the plot, his inclusion speaks volumes about the authors' dedication to translating small yet important book allusions into reality.

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Benito's link to the original books

Benito is not an arbitrary character to have in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3. His character is actually correlated with Conrad's letters in Jenny Han's third novel, We'll Always Have Summer. Conrad jokingly alerts Belly in the books to a Spanish man named Benito who most likely rides a scooter, has leather pants, and writes her Spanish poetry.

The characterization is hyperbolic and tongue-in-cheek, but it shows Conrad's envy and realization that Belly could find someone while away. Through the addition of Benito in the show, the producers make a nod to old and devoted fans of the books. To the audience unfamiliar with the novels, Benito looks like one more fleeting character.

However, to the readers, his appearance looks like a gesture of indulgence, a smart Easter egg that binds the series to its book-based lineage.

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Benito's role in Paris

In Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Benito is included in Belly's brief Paris escapade. Having been impressed by how she conducts herself when claiming back her property, Benito has more direct contact with her. He tells Belly that she is a "badass," something she finds surprising, but also emphasizes how other people view her new independence. His words are a kind of affirmation at a moment when Belly is feeling exposed and torn over her decisions.

Benito also has a peculiar personal detail: he once nearly got married for a spouse visa. The tale, though relaxed, demonstrates his fun and impulsive personality. Later, he proposes that Belly remain in Paris instead of going home. The scene does not develop into anything deeper, but it makes one wonder if Belly would find new opportunities beyond the love triangle that has so far shaped most of her life.

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Why Benito matters in Season 3

Although Benito only shows up briefly, his presence is symbolic in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3. He stands for the fact that Belly has possibilities other than Conrad and Jeremiah, that life is wider than the cozy round of Cousins Beach. Benito's inclusion also serves to point out Belly's development. She is no longer the insecure teenager torn between two brothers, but someone who can demand respect and adoration in completely different environments.

For book fans, Benito's character is a wonderful nod. For casual viewers only tuning in for the show, he provides richness to Belly's Paris experience and shows how serendipity can alter her life. Either way, Benito is a testament that Belly's story is not set in stone, and that she can author her own tale, Fisher brothers or not.

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Benito's appearance in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 might be brief, but it is anything but unimportant. His role connects the show back to Jenny Han's original book series and is also a narrative device used to reveal Belly's changing self. Whether he returns in subsequent episodes or is a one-off character, Benito adds depth to the narrative by reminding the audience that Belly's life is greater than love.

Finally, Benito is both an Easter egg for readers of books and a new shot in the arm of potential for Belly in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3. His short stint may intrigue viewers, but that very curiosity is what makes his character so memorable.

Also read: “It’s not that serious”: Lola Tung on The Summer I Turned Pretty’s intense fandom