


Even Nirmala (Ranjita Chakravarty) receives a comical new romance, mixing up the household dynamic. And despite Ben happily dating Margot, the lingering connection between him and Devi continues to supply a delightful dose of will-they/won’t-they anticipation. Devi’s fiery new relationship with resident bad boy Ethan (Michael Cimino) provides her with a fun albeit brief escape, while Trent (Benjamin Norris) and Eleanor (Ramona Young) navigate the ups and downs of their zany love story. But coming back to his high school doesn’t do much to suppress his insecurities - it actually amplifies them, as narrated by Gigi Hadid in another lovely Paxton-centric episode.Īlthough it takes a backseat in terms of narrative importance, romance remains interwoven throughout the season. Struggling with feelings of failure and disbelonging, Paxton takes on the role of assistant swim coach, seeking a sense of familiarity and a return to his senior year glory. As college aspirations take center stage, Never Have I Ever explores a fundamental question: Who are we once we leave the comfort and safety of our home? We see that play out especially with Paxton (Darren Barnet), who returns to Sherman Oaks after a mere two weeks at ASU. The overarching theme for the season is change.

Even Devi, who outwardly appears to have a clear vision of who she is, is plagued by the same uncertainties and struggles that Fabiola faces, and it resonates greatly. Her storyline is compelling because it realistically captures how daunting it is to try and figure out one’s place in the world, especially at such a young age.

Unlike Devi, Fabiola lacks a clear direction on her future and is searching for that collegiate spark. Meanwhile, Lee Rodriguez has a brilliant arc as Fabiola, who finds herself on the opposite end of the spectrum. It really does feel like Devi has grown up. While her temper tantrums are still abundant, there is a noticeable maturity this time around. Ramakrishnan remains as dynamic as ever, exuding all of Devi’s charm, confidence, and vulnerability with an ease. Her determination, while at times commendable, does lead her to make a few impulsive decisions that do more harm than good, such as screwing up her first impression with the university’s admissions officer, or refusing to apply to any safety schools. Of course, Devi wouldn’t be Devi if she didn’t attract drama, and she once again finds herself in an escalating feud that blows up in her face.īut rather than dwell on what-could’ve-Ben, Devi channels her energy into securing her future at Princeton, a dream she once shared with her father and desperately clings to as a lifeline. Instead, Devi enters senior year without Ben as her boyfriend as he finds solace in a new relationship with Margot (Victoria Moroles), much to her chagrin.
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Despite achieving such a major milestone, the subsequent awkwardness creates a series of unfortunate miscommunications that once again hinder their ability to just be together.
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The show picks up directly following the events of the Season 3 finale, where Devi cashes in her “one free boink” with Ben (Jaren Lewison) and finally loses her virginity. The fourth and final season continues that pattern, delivering a hilarious yet heartfelt portrait of the uncertainties that come with being 17 and figuring out the person you hope to become. That all may sound a bit heavy, but Never Have I Ever thrives at maintaining a careful balance between its light-hearted wit and emotional depth. At the center of it all lies Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), an Indian-American high schooler dealing with typical teenage problems - budding romance, friendship drama, and self-discovery - while also grappling with unprocessed trauma following her father’s untimely death. Ever since the show’s debut in 2020, Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher’s coming-of-age dramedy Never Have I Ever has been lauded for its nuanced South Asian representation and poignant portrayal of grief.
