One of the finest teen comedies of the time ‘Never Have I Ever is back with yet another banger in the form of its third season. The first two seasons featuring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi focus on her life navigating her teenage years, with a bulk load of grief, the third season though is dominated by love and romance around the protagonist Devi.
The latest season finally fulfilled the wish that Devi desired and was shown in the last season. Devi is finally dating the hottest guy in the college Paxton your very own Darren Barnet.
But soon realizes all that looks great is not always the same and her pursuit to belong is different than what she wants and what she needs. Adding a crisp to the story is the presence of frenemy Ben (Jaren Lewison), who might be dating Megan Suri’s character Aneesa but is still inclined towards Devi.
As the story unfolds and the episodes go by Devi’s love triangle takes a turn into a romantic square with the presence of Des (Anirudh Pisharody), a good-looking Indian student.
The latest season has multiple affairs and romance stories among the supporting characters of the show. While Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan) finds a new ally in Rhyah (Sarayu Blue), Kamala's (Richa Moorjani) new, blossoming love affair with Devi's teacher Manish (Utkarsh Ambudkar) finds a desi-size conundrum with Devi's semi-traditional grandmother Nirmala (Ranjita Chakravarty).
One of the finest parts of this season is the way sufficient space is being provided to each character in the story. Besides the plot, the personification of the reel-life characters in the form and way the actors have carried themselves is the greatest thing to be talked about during the season.
But after all season 3 of this teen comedy is Maitreyi Ramakrishnan’s show. The young actor adds vigor and power to the character of Devi through her confidence giving a complicated mess of emotions in the best of ways.
At the center of Devi, this season is love affairs which is a great picturization, that teaches her the real meaning of life after a series of romantic encounters.
More importantly, it neatly ties down to the overwhelming grief attached to the loss of her doting dad Mohan Vishwakumar (Sendhil Ramamurthy, being endearing as ever). A special mentioning of John McEnroe for nailing it in his Narrator’s role.
If you have watched the previous two seasons you will miss out on the intriguing squabble between Devi and Nalini, but it gets far more refreshing this season to watch the latter evolve as the widow and only mother, especially coming in from Poorna Jagannathan’s solid character.
The makers Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher never miss out on the core principle of the plot which is around the family with a desi touch in it. The instinct of not wishing to take up a middle seat on the flight or having the meal from hand in place cutlery. Everything has a place in the presentation of the plot.
The welcome surprise in the season came in the last episode which shows that Darren Barnet and Jaren Lewison as Paxton and Ben aren't just Devi's love interests but have stories of their own to tell.
The episode titled Never Have I ever delightfully concludes season 3 living you with a desire for season 4 the swansong of the series. This season is even special in a form that grants supporting casts special standout moments.
The viewers coming into acquaintance with the show for the first time through this season might feel things passing in rush but those right from the beginning are going to love the pace and beauty of the season as the story unfolds.
With its crisp and witty approach over 10 episodes, it is a must-watch show for you to get addicted to love and in the love of yourself in a desi twist that will incite the feeling of belongingness.