Never Have I Ever....man, a show on Netflix that actually got to finish its story, and did so in such a heartfelt manner that it really sticks with you. it's not just a story for teenagers, we're all Devi and Ben and Paxton and Eleanor and Fab and every character in a way just figuring stuff out, making bad decisions, being cringefail girlies, learning from failures, and trying to grow up. it tells us: let life be messy and ugly and difficult and embarrassing, let life be beautiful and enjoyable and unique and something to be proud of. turn all those never have i evers to i did. i did it, i lived.
Devi Vishwakumar is one of the best main female characters and I will deeply miss her.
I love how unapologetically messy and chaotic she was. It was a wild ride seeing her make some questionable decisions. It was great to see a woman of color allowed to be messy and entangled in romantic affairs. It was amazing to see Tamil representation and how it focuses on family relationships and how difficult it is to handle cultural and generational differences. Ultimately, NHIE is about a teenager navigating grief and such a traumatic event. Devi and Nalini’s relationship was extremely complicated but perfectly illustrates how difficult it is to raise your kid when you have been raised differently so seeing their relationship grow and evolve to such tender and supportive bond was such a beautiful journey to have witnessed.
Devi was messy, cringey, confused, frustrating but also funny, driven, smart, kind and deeply human. She was allowed to make mistakes and try again until she figures it out. Her growth this season was so brilliant to see and she’s going to make many more mistakes in the future but already has such great support system in her life. Has learned to value herself and her worth. I love she got to have her romantic ending, her dream school and loved for all of her messiness.
I will miss Devi and every character in NHIE, as a show is definitely one I will rewatch multiple times and I cannot wait to see what Maitreyi does with her future because she’s brilliant.
the tiny pretty smile, the dilated pupils, the hand with the cup on her chest, she’s madly in love, after that look i too would kill whoever it took to keep her safe, clean and good once again.