NEVER HAVE I EVER REVIEW TV

This simple request, for our parents to feel lucky is what we all want for our immigrant parents, for them to feel as lucky as we feel that they sacrificed all they did to bring us to where we are today. Beautifully and fittingly, in our last solo shot of Devi, we see her asking for the gods and asking for them to look after her mother, so her mother can feel as lucky as Devi feels at that moment, with her whole life ahead of her at her dream school and a support system who loves her unconditionally.

In multiple tearful acknowledgements of how much they have overcome together, Nalini and Devi end this season continuing their journeys of resolving their grief and hardships as a family, with love, support, and the occasional necessary scolding. Nalini is calmer and able to recognize when her anger at Devi is misdirected or a result of accidental miscommunication. From previous seasons with fights ending in screams, tears, and plans of running away from home, their relationship in season 4 starkly contrasts the often tumultuous one from previous years. The most obvious case of growth is seen in Nalini and Devi’s relationship this season. Throughout the show, Devi retrospectively examines defining moments in her high school career, admitting that she had a lot of maturing to do, and audiences get to see her on the other side of this change, productively managing her temper, proactively fixing her relationship before they unravel, and accepting what cannot be changed. From Devi’s closest friends to her principal and therapist, they all admit that Devi “drives them crazy…and causes mayhem,” but at the end of the day, they continue loving her and rooting for her. The screenwriters are self-aware enough to know that audiences have frowned upon Devi’s actions. Devi’s personality growth is handled perfectly throughout this season, several characters reference their frustrations with Devi of previous years. From the first few moments of the show, the writers make it clear that the Devi of this season demonstrates genuine maturity and remorse when addressing the aftermath of less-than-ideal decision-making skills- well, as much maturity as we can expect from a 17-year-old girl. As Devi commiserates about feeling like the archetypical “pathetic” teenage girl who becomes emotionally attached to a boy she has sex with, she grows and learns from the experience in a way that is uncharacteristic of the once comically brash “hothead” we were introduced to in season 1. The season begins with Devi coming to terms with her impulsive decision to use her “free boink” with Ben Gross. For those reading, if you and your family feel the same way I do about Devi, Nalini, and their whole crew, saying goodbye to them will be an emotional undertaking, to say the least. With each episode, I learned that this is what true representation feels like. I see my mother in Nalini and (lots of) bits and pieces of myself in Devi.

NEVER HAVE I EVER REVIEW TV

Every time we sat down to watch and rewatch every episode multiple times, I understood that Never Have I Ever is the first and only TV show my family – similarly, three South Indian women trying their best – has ever felt truly represented by we have grown along with the Vishwakumars. However, my family’s attachment to the show is one I did not see coming. My emotional attachment to this TV show has been made clear from the first season. At the core of Never Have I Ever lies a deep and obvious fondness and appreciation for the Vishwakumar family, feelings that are embedded in every scene of this final season.

Never have i ever review