The show’s first season revolves around Devi’s attempts to cope with the loss of her father, how she tries to move on from it, and her infatuation with the popular boy, Paxton Hall-Yoshida. Devi is joined by her two best friends, Eleanor Wong and Fabiola Torres, who are also experiencing their own share of problems. One is dealing with a controlling mother, while the other is struggling with her sexuality.
The show’s depiction of high school is both realistic and funny, and the witty dialogues between the characters make the show an entertaining watch. It’s one of the few shows that portrays the high school experience, especially for people of color, in an accurate and relatable way. The writers, actors, and crew behind Never Have I Ever made sure to include aspects of Indian culture in the show, making it an excellent display of representation for people of South Asian descent.
One of the show’s most memorable moments was when Devi’s mom arranged for a puja in their home, which is an Indian ritual to celebrate a significant event or achievement. The scene not only showed the audience how significant religion was to the family but gave insight into the Indian-American experience. Devi, who didn’t know the importance of the puja, thought it was like a “witchcraft circle” and was embarrassed by her mother’s display of devotion in front of her friends.
Moreover, the show tackles relevant topics such as mental health, multiculturalism, and bullying in a way that is both sensitive and humorous. Devi’s struggles with her mental health after her father’s death are portrayed quite well, with her going to therapy and trying to come to terms with her feelings. The show also shows the hardships of navigating high school as a person of color and the struggles that come with being a minority in a predominantly white environment.
The second season of Never Have I Ever premiered in July 2021 and included more topics that revolved around teenage identity and relationships. The show expanded on Devi’s romantic relationships, finally giving viewers a conclusion to the Paxton versus Ben Gross saga. The show also tackled the dynamic between Devi and her mother, which was complicated after her mother finally starts dating again. It also showcased Devi’s attempt to connect with her Indian heritage and how it ties into her identity as an Indian-American.
Overall, Never Have I Ever is a refreshing show that provides excellent representation, relatable characters, and fantastic writing. It’s a show that accurately depicts the struggles of navigating high school and dealing with the complexities of adolescence. The show’s ability to tackle relevant topics in a sensitive manner while making the audience laugh is one of its most notable features. It’s a must-watch for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, struggled with mental health, or has just gone through the tumult of high school.