Devi Vishwakumar, the beloved messy teen from Never Have I Ever, is back and better than ever. In seasons 1 and 2, the protagonist underwent numerous changes in how she engaged with her family, culture, friends, romantic relationships and grief. Season 3 picks up on that growth and explores the lingering issues that Devi may never overcome. However, the lesson isn’t about overcoming these issues, but learning how to embrace and live with them. Most importantly, Devi must know what it means to be finally happy.
Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) has snagged her dream boyfriend, Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnet). The two have been going strong after a rocky start to their relationship, in which Devi cheated on him with Ben (Jaren Lewison), her lifelong frenemy and, briefly, boyfriend. Devi has gotten over most — but definitely not all — the anxieties and selfish behavior that threatened to ruin her relationships and is approaching dating Paxton with a level head and maturity. Sike! Devi is still a mess, but that is to be expected from a teenage girl dealing with her first significant relationship. However, Devi and season 3 do feature a great deal of maturity.
There is a visible change in how Devi approaches the intrusive thoughts that cloud her judgment. While she is far from perfect, there is growth and responsibility that Devi exhibits throughout the season. Furthermore, the themes and story arcs reflect that journey with other characters going through a period of maturing and growth as people. The series thrives in two significant aspects — it does not coddle its protagonist and there is consistency. Devi could easily be Rory 2.0, the Gilmore Girls character who is never adequately challenged by the show's creator. Throughout Never Have I Ever, Devi is not characterized as morally pure; she is flawed and in need of assistance. The challenge of pushing the protagonist and questioning her motives helps Never Have I Ever navigate pertinent themes to tell an honest story.
Visually, the show is vibrant and bubbly. The costumes are perfectly tailored for each character, with each character’s clothes sufficiently reflecting the well-rounded writing. Notable character costumes to note include Eleanor's (Ramona Young), the whimsical theater girl's fashion sense is pitch perfect. There is also Aneesa (Megan Suri), the cool athletic girl, and Devi, the academically-driven almost-cool girl. Special shout out to the costume designer for dressing Aneesa in Serena Williams and Beyoncé athleisure wear from Nike and Adidas, respectively. Devi’s look is youthful and dorky, but it also shows off the balancing act Devi herself is trying to manage. There are stand-outs when it comes to fashion, but the important thing is that everyone is dressed in what best suits them and their personalities.
In terms of production design, the sets are personable, realistic, and not nearly as exaggerated as other teen-led projects. The series doesn’t ever drop the ball in any way. It even manages to rope in the stories of each supporting character in a way that never diminishes or distracts from Devi's arc. Paxton, Ben, Kamala (Richa Moorjani), Fabiola (Lee Rodriguez), Eleanor, Aneesa, and even Trent (Benjamin Norris) all get enough time to express their equally essential and relevant arcs with humor and sincerity. The balance is astounding to see considering so many teen dramas fail to have a distinct and consistent voice from beginning to end. Never Have I Ever is exceptional in that regard.
What makes Never Have I Ever season 3 essential television viewing is in how it treats its protagonist. Not only is the writing fantastic, but the series also excels because of Maitreyi Ramakrishnan's portrayal of Devi. It is hard to say whether Ramakrishnan has grown as an actress because she has always been pitch-perfect. From the beginning, she could dive deep into the nuances of Devi and express the outrageous and quiet moments so beautifully. Season 3 shows a different side of Devi, which is slightly less chaotic and requires Ramakrishnan to flex a new skill: The art of subtle acting. It's something she nails. Devi has taken a turn where her antics are stopped by careful consideration and contemplation. She is still erratic at times, but she is growing. Ramakrishnan captures this element of her character wonderfully, never letting a moment pass where her expressive face isn’t conveying Devi's interiority.
Never Have I Ever season 3 is excellent. It's well written, nice to look at, and brilliantly acted. The series has a clear vision and voice that propels it forward. There is no doubt this series will have an extensive shelf life in the teen drama genre. The series revolves around a complicated protagonist, which opens up the writing in a compelling way. It is exciting to see how the writers of the series, led by the show's co-creator Mindy Kaling, rise to the challenge. The writing is perhaps the most central reason this show continues to be worth watching. Season 3 manages to cover a wide range of issues effectively and humorously.
Never Have I Ever season 3 premieres on Netflix Friday, August 12. The season consists of ten half-hour episodes and is rated TV-14.