You Won’t Believe The Subtle Easter Egg In XO, Kitty That Perfectly Mirrors TATB!

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Spoilers Ahead for Season 2 of Netflix’s XO, Kitty

In 2023, when XO, Kitty debuted on Netflix, it sought to establish its own identity distinctly from its precursor, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, which was marking its fifth anniversary simultaneously. Although the source material is renowned as one of the greatest romantic comedies ever made, the creative team felt it crucial for the young adult comedy-drama to let Kitty (Anna Cathcart) develop independently from her older sister’s shadow. This strategy proved successful in the first season; however, with the arrival of season two on the 2025 TV schedule, it’s evident that they no longer hesitate to incorporate nods and references back to the original film.

In terms of nods towards “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before”, one standout reference is undeniably the return of fan-adored character Peter Kavinsky, whose appearance was teased in the trailer for Season 2 of “XO, Kitty”. This revelation sent the internet into a frenzy. While the sight of Noah Centineo reprising his role as the beloved internet sweetheart was thrilling, it’s not the only homage made in the eight-episode season.

Indeed, you’ll find several clever references or “hidden tributes” (easter eggs) that pay homage to the initial movie, which devoted followers will surely appreciate. Personally, among these nods, I hold one particularly dear.

I was so excited that I couldn’t help but kick my feet like an embarrassed teenager, just as Kitty collapsed on the track in the exact same way Lara Jean (Lana Condor) did when she discovered her love letter in Peter’s hand in the original movie. Check it out:

What stood out most was that the ‘XO, Kitty’ team didn’t simply replicate the scene haphazardly; they meticulously ensured that their parallel matched the original film’s frame.

In an interview with Deadline, Cathcart broke down how the iconic scene came to be:

It was really exciting to witness everyone’s dedication towards getting every detail just right, as we had the original scene displayed on a monitor during rehearsals to ensure my ponytail and the track’s alignment were perfect. We also had a mirror monitor set up so we could compare Lana Condor from the first movie with me on the track, to make sure everything matched perfectly. The minor adjustments we made were meticulous, and I can’t wait for fans to catch these intentional and subtle changes when they watch the film.

As a movie enthusiast, I thoroughly enjoy shows that subtly weave in Easter eggs – clues or references to other works. And judging by the overwhelming response on social media, it appears that XO, Kitty has hit the mark with this strategy. This tactic, it seems, has proven to be a shrewd move indeed!

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but notice that in addition to the heart-stopping fainting scene, To All the Boys: Always and Forever, Once More delivers a delightful nod to the legendary hot tub moment from the original film. Furthermore, the movie cleverly revisits the art of letter writing, which sparked the entire series.

As a devoted To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before fan, I can’t help but notice an intriguing detail in the latest film release – Minho’s persistent use of Kitty’s last name. While it’s not officially confirmed as an Easter egg, some enthusiastic fans have pointed out a fascinating parallel with Peter’s repeated use of “Covey” for Lara Jean in the first movie. It’s up to the TATB community to decide on this theory, while I continue my search for more delightful callbacks and hidden Easter eggs in these cherished films.

The first two seasons of XO, Kitty are now available to stream with a Netflix subscription.

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2025-01-17 05:07