"XO, Kitty" Season 3, the latest installment in the spin-off series from Jenny Han's "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" franchise, sees Kitty Song Covey (Anna Cathcart) navigating her senior year at the Korean Independent School of Seoul (K.I.S.S.). While initial releases of "XO, Kitty" promised an exciting romantic journey for the bubbly character, the third season has been met with mixed reception, falling back into familiar narrative traps that previously plagued the show. This season delves into Kitty's future plans, including college applications and the evolution of her relationship with Min-ho (Sang Heon Lee).

A central point of contention for viewers and critics alike is the handling of the romance between Kitty and Min-ho. Despite the potential for a fresh and complex dynamic, the season relies heavily on the poorly-used miscommunication trope, where a simple conversation could resolve most conflicts, yet is constantly thwarted by interruptions. This narrative choice contributes to a slow pace in the first half of the season and a less satisfying finale. Furthermore, Min-ho's character, once a scene-stealer, is portrayed as overly bland and passive, mirroring criticisms previously aimed at Dae in Season 1. Showrunner Valentina Garza explained that the hurdles for Kitty and Min-ho were intentional, aiming to foster individual growth before their eventual reunion, with Kitty learning to let go of her perfect plan for senior year and embrace the unexpected.

Despite the criticisms of its central romance, "XO, Kitty" Season 3 finds its stride as a coming-of-age tale, particularly through its strong supporting cast. Yuri (Gia Kim) undergoes a compelling transformation, grappling with the loss of her family's fortune and reinventing her identity. Her journey of self-discovery and eventual reunion with Juliana provides a powerful storyline. Q (Anthony Keyvan) is also central to an engaging subplot involving his secret ex-fling, Marius (Sule Thelwell), which challenges his relationship with Jin (Joshua Hyunho Lee) and adds significant depth to the first half of the season. The introduction of Gigi (Christine Heesun Hwang) also brings a much-needed spark, serving as a 'ghost' from Min-ho's past to challenge Kitty's insecurities without being an actual romantic foil. According to Garza, these storylines emphasize personal growth and the transition into adulthood, a key theme for all characters.

The season also embraces its roots by heavily relying on "To All The Boys" nostalgia. Following Peter Kavinsky's appearance in Season 2, Lara Jean (Lana Condor) returns this season, offering an opportunity to explore the enduring sisterly bond. Garza collaborated with Jenny Han to ensure these beloved characters' stories were handled with care, including subtle Easter eggs and callbacks to the original films. While these moments are endearing and reinforce the franchise's theme of family, they also highlight areas where the show struggles to forge its own identity independently of its predecessors.

Beyond the main character arcs, Season 3 introduces more mature themes, such as a pregnancy scare, reflecting the characters' movement towards adulthood. Kitty's cousin, Jiwon (Hojo Shin), takes on an expanded role as a series regular, becoming a teacher at K.I.S.S. and developing a beautifully moving relationship with Yuri's half-brother, Alex, which culminates in an unexpected pregnancy. This storyline deepens Kitty's connection to her Korean family, a priority for her senior year. The showrunner also revealed an original plan for Min-ho to chase Kitty on Marius's motorcycle, which evolved into the dramatic train station reunion seen in the finale, to emphasize Min-ho's journey of making overtures towards Kitty. While the romantic "endgame" for couples remains ambiguous, the season largely succeeds in portraying the messy, dramatic, yet growth-filled experiences of teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, even if the romantic plotting can be repetitive and nonsensical at times. "XO, Kitty" Season 3 is currently streaming on Netflix.