Warning: This article contains spoilers from episode 8 of Cruel Summer season 2. As the show progresses, the truth about Luke's death is gradually being unveiled. The pivotal moment in the storyline can be traced back to the cabin where events unfolded on New Year's Eve, or technically New Year's Day. In the previous episode, Megan happened to overhear Luke boasting to his friends about cheating on her with Isabella. This revelation prompted Megan and Isabella to devise a plan to retaliate against Luke. Towards the end of the episode, Megan suggested they continue celebrating the New Year by heading to the cabin after midnight, unbeknownst to Luke that Isabella would be joining them.
Isabella, equally furious with Luke (if not more), was deeply hurt by his deceit, which unjustly cast her as the villain. She had made significant sacrifices for Megan, yet Luke consistently manipulated the situation to make it seem as though Isabella was obsessed with her best friend. His intention was to create a division between them, and by the end of episode 8, it seemed like he had succeeded.
Megan & Isabella Tied Luke Up & Drugged Him In Cruel Summer Season 2
Isabella remained hidden upstairs in the cabin while Megan and Luke entered in Season 2, Episode 8 of Cruel Summer. Megan suggested a change and proceeded to tie Luke to the bed, establishing a safe word, "Ctrl+Alt+Delete." Once Luke was securely bound, Isabella revealed herself, causing confusion for Luke. The two girls then prepared drinks for everyone, with Luke unknowingly consuming a drugged cocktail containing benzodiazepines, referred to by Megan as "truth serum." Despite his uncertainty, Luke took a sip.
These drugs are undoubtedly the same ones that Isabella disposed of in the toilet during the Summer of 2000 storyline in Season 2, Episode 2 of Cruel Summer. Finally, the audience received some answers to lingering questions from previous episodes. However, numerous unexplained clues remain, such as Isabella's mysterious bag of money, the blood Megan cleaned from the cabin floor, the bloodied sheets, Luke's letter of escape, and more. With only two episodes remaining in the season, this Freeform series has a considerable amount of information to pack into the final two hours.
Luke Confessed To Kissing Isabella & Making The Sex Tape
Once the drugs took effect, Luke finally revealed the truth pertaining to the events at the Plunge in episode 8 of Cruel Summer season 2. He asserted that the intimate encounter between himself and Isabella held no significance, admitting that he had lied about who initiated the kiss to avoid appearing unfavorable. Nevertheless, Luke eventually confessed the truth to his male friends as a means of boasting. While he insisted that he did not intend to cause harm to Megan, it remains challenging to trust anything he says, especially considering his later admission of creating the explicit video.
Luke maintained that he had filmed himself and Megan engaging in sexual activity solely for their personal enjoyment, with no intention of it being exposed. He adamantly denied being responsible for its presentation at his family's holiday gathering. However, it is imperative to acknowledge the importance of consent, and Luke should never have recorded himself and Megan without her permission.
Megan & Isabella Planned To Show Everyone The Tape Of Luke's Confession
: Luke's unforgivable actions and continuously deteriorating character in Cruel Summer season 2 contribute to Megan and Isabella appearing increasingly guilty. Although they have motives to wish him dead, it would be too obvious if either of them were responsible for his murder. Moreover, in the summer of 2000 storyline, Megan accused Isabella of returning to the cabin and killing Luke, making it illogical for them to have killed him together.Megan and Isabella recorded Luke's confession during episode 8 of Cruel Summer season 2. They compelled him to admit to his wrongdoings, such as kissing Isabella, lying about it, boasting about manipulating both Megan and Isabella, using them as practice before college, and creating the sex tape. Once they had captured everything on video, the two girls planned to expose him by showing it to everyone in Chatham, giving him a taste of his own medicine. When Luke discovered their intentions, he nervously remarked, "My dad's going to murder me." It remains to be seen if this statement was simply an offhand comment or a hint at future events.
Megan and Isabella wanted Luke to experience the same emotions they did when the sex tape was exposed. However, upon discovering Luke's involvement in the scandalous video, Megan insisted they leave him at the cabin. Consequently, Isabella placed the camera on the bedside table, keeping it recording. The shock of the betrayal overshadowed their original plan with the camera, and undoubtedly, the recording will play a significant role in Luke's murder investigation in Cruel Summer season 2.
Luke Threw Isabella Under The Bus
In the eighth episode of Cruel Summer season 2, just as Megan and Isabella were about to leave the cabin, Luke made a desperate move that ended up backfiring on him and causing pain to Isabella. He confessed to Megan that he and Isabella had deceived her regarding their summer of 1999 relationship. Luke revealed that he had lost his virginity to Isabella, while Megan had been under the impression that she was his first. This shocking revelation added to the already overwhelming amount of surprising information Megan had uncovered that night.
Isabella Grabbed A Gun & Shot At Luke In Cruel Summer Season 2
Despite Isabella's defense and explanation, it was evident to the audience that Luke was the one who had convinced her to keep quiet, as witnessed in the car wash scene. Yet, Luke persisted in his deception, attempting to create a divide between Megan and Isabella by asserting that Isabella had withheld the truth because of her own insecurities. In reality, it was Luke himself who had made that statement. Unfortunately, the harm had already been done, as Megan chose to believe Luke and turned her back on Isabella in Cruel Summer season 2, episode 8.Although Megan had every right to be angry at Luke for lying about his virginity in episode 8 of Cruel Summer season 2, she felt a deeper sense of betrayal from Isabella. As Luke continued to spew lies and manipulate Megan, Isabella felt compelled to grab a gun from the cabin and point it at Luke. While this extreme reaction wasn't entirely unexpected considering the volatile mix of teenage hormones, alcohol, drugs, and betrayal in the air, the camera faithfully captured every moment of the escalating conflict.
Luke's insensitive remarks towards Isabella, including calling her "crazy" and belittling her relationship with Megan, further fueled her anger. In a moment of intense emotion, Isabella pulled the trigger, although it remains unknown if she actually shot Luke as the episode ended abruptly. The coroner's report, however, indicates a gunshot-related abrasion on Luke's ear, potentially suggesting that Isabella's aim was off and she only grazed him, which is consistent with her reputation as a poor shot.
Throughout the show, Isabella has endured various challenges, such as the tragic death of Lisa in St. Barts, which she maintains was accidental, and her involvement in covering up Megan's sex tape scandal. Additionally, the disturbing and traumatizing encounter with Brent in episode 8 only added to the mounting pressure on Isabella. It was inevitable that these events would eventually lead to her breaking point in Cruel Summer season 2.