Episode Guide
Pilot had sex with Paxton Hall-Yoshida, got drunk with the popular kids, felt super Indian, started a nuclear war, been the loneliest boy in the world, been a big, fat liar, pissed off everyone I know, had to be on my best behavior and said I’m sorry. ..
Mindy Kaling’s Netflix original Never Have I Ever tells the story of an Indian teenage girl named Devi Vishwakumar, journeying with her through the most berating years of her life – high school. Devi is forced to confront her problems head-on, and she learns that sometimes the only way to get through them is by taking control.
In the first episode, Devi’s traditional Indian family is introduced. They are a family of six children and their mother. Devi’s father was a tennis fan, and he passed down his love of the sport to his children. In the 10 episodes, we follow Devi as she goes through high school and her journey to become a successful tennis player.
Devi is struggling in the first year of school after her father died. She is eventually better and able to overcome her trauma due to her crush on Paxton – the high school heartthrob.
Devi’s arch nemesis, Ben, calls her a nerd which triggers her to decide to have sex with Paxton. She does not go through with it but as her friends assume that she lost her virginity anyway, she continues to lie and pretend that she is hooking up with him. ..
Devi is involved in a series of chaotic life events that potentially ruin her friendship with her two best friends, potential relationships with Paxton and Ben, and her bond with her mother.
The show is a quick watch that follows the lives of characters from Sherman Oaks, but it will likely interest Indian viewers looking for representation of their culture in the west.
The show attempts to highlight various aspects of the Indian culture to the world, with outfits and customs including spraying ashes of the dead in a river. However, the series does become regressive at times when Devi mulls over the same issues with her mother. ..
Devi’s mother constantly restricts her daughter’s activities, often at odds with Devi’s desires. This may reflect the experience of a teenager, but it becomes chaotic when Devi tries to have it her way all the time. ..
It seems that casting Darren Barnet as the role of Paxton was a mistake. The 30-year-old actor seems to look his age the most of the time, and his acting is not up to par.
Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi is a delight to watch until she starts acting like not being in a relationship is the end of the world. That is, however, her character if I am being honest but Maitreyi portrays Devi in the best way possible.
I enjoyed watching Jaren Lewison play Ben in Devi’s life. He was perfect for the role and I felt emotionally supportive of him.
Netflix’s comedy drama is definitely worth a watch – even if it’s far from perfect. The show has a lot of promise and is definitely worth a watch.
