Peter Kavinsky → Owen Hendricks: The Evolution of a Man
It all started with TikTok. As most of my greatest unhinged thoughts do.
This song was trending again because Noah Centineo—while filming The Recruit in Korea—did a guest appearance on XO, Kitty.
And suddenly, my entire timeline was throwing back to peak Peter Kavinsky era.
Which led me to The Recruit, Season 2.
Which led me to the realization that Peter Kavinsky is gone. And Owen Hendricks is who we have now.
And honestly? I’m not mad about it.
Because if this is who Peter K turned into, I am SOLD.
How Peter Kavinsky Became Owen Hendricks: A Timeline
Senior year: Peter and Lara Jean promise to make long-distance work. They think they’re different. They are not.
College era: The calls get fewer. The texts become one-word responses. One day, she calls him “buddy.” He knows it’s over.
Post-breakup phase: Gets a gym membership. Listens to The Weeknd too much. Tries to “focus on himself” but mostly just stares at his phone waiting for her texts.
Graduation: Majors in law. Because if love isn’t forever, maybe a stable career is.
First job: Lands at the CIA as a lawyer. (This is where I personally just started over, moved to London, and rebranded as an Aussie expat. But that’s just me.)
Current day: Owen Hendricks is what happens when a golden retriever boy grows up, gets hit by reality, and realizes high school love stories don’t always last—but national security threats do.
Peter vs. Owen: The Evolution of a Man
Peter Kavinsky (2018):
Wrote Lara Jean a legally binding love contract.
Wore oversized hoodies and looked adorable doing it.
Gave “will absolutely make you a Spotify playlist” energy.
Thought love was the most important thing.
Owen Hendricks (2024):
Writes classified government documents that can’t legally exist.
Wears suits but somehow still has that effortless hot guy energy.
Gives “I could ruin your life, but I won’t” energy.
Knows love is important, but also? Maybe national security is too.
The Hoodie Scene That Broke Me
I was fully on board with CIA Owen. The suits? Fine. The stress? Understandable. The constant "I might get killed today" energy? Comes with the job.
But then. The hoodie.
There’s a moment in The Recruit Season 2 where Owen throws on an oversized hoodie and for exactly 2.5 seconds, I saw him. Peter Kavinsky.
It was like the ghost of his former self appeared on my screen just to remind me that deep down, he's still that guy.
And that’s when I knew. Owen Hendricks isn’t lost.
Maybe Peter Kavinsky didn’t die. Maybe he just put on a suit… and a strategically timed hoodie.
So… Is Owen Hendricks Our Older, More Dangerous, Yet Trustworthy Boyfriend?
He’s got the charm of Peter Kavinsky.
The confidence of a man who can talk his way out of anything.
And the energy of someone who knows exactly how to handle a crisis.
Would I trust him with my life? Yes. Would I also make him take a nap and drink some water first? Also yes.
Where Do You Stand on This Very Important Debate?
Is Owen Hendricks the best-case scenario for a former romcom boy? Would he still wear a scrunchie, or has the world hardened him beyond repair? And most importantly—are we attracted to him, or do we need to go touch grass?
Come yell at me on Instagram. I am deeply invested in this.
Til soon,
Elizabeth
P.S. The hoodie in question 👇
