Netflix’s teen comedy, “Never Have I Ever” premiered its third season Friday, August 12. As one of the most popular shows on the streaming platform, it returns with actors Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Darren Barnet, Jaren Lewison and other recurring cast members. This season includes Indian-American teenager Devi played by Ramakrishnan, as she enters her junior year of high school. She finds herself in conflict and continues her journey with romance and friendships. Refreshingly, viewers see Devi change from her old ways and experience growth that contrasts with her usual habits in previous seasons

Throughout the show, Devi processes the trauma from the death of her father, which increases her impulsive decision-making and leads to a chain of self-destruction. After leaving season two with apologizing and reconciling friendships with the help of her therapy sessions, she enters school with her new boyfriend, Paxton, played by Barnet. As the school gossips about their relationship, they put thoughts of inadequacy into Devi’s mind. To add to her anxiety, she receives an anonymous message warning her about Paxton, and soon Devi finds out it came from his former friend who he was romantically involved with. As they navigate through conflict, Paxton ultimately breaks up with Devi; citing her lack of self-love and constant insecurity, putting an end to their two-season, built-up romance. 

Devi’s friends convince her to arrive at a party to combat the rumor of her feeling upset over her breakup. Devi’s mother forces her to bring her mother’s best friend’s son, Des, played by Anirudh Pisharody, expecting a nerd based on what her mother has told her. Her mood changes when she instead finds him attractive. After insulting him, he sees how upset she seems seeing Paxton with someone else and offers to make him jealous of Devi. Days after the party, Des ghosts Devi as she tries to boost her confidence at a charity event. 

In a rare moment, the show allows a perspective into the life of another character, Ben, played by Lewison, a former love interest to Devi in the previous seasons. The perspective gives incite into the reason for his obsessive behavior with his academics, and he soon learns that prioritizing his school over health negatively affects him. After Paxton finds Ben in pain and takes him to the hospital, he learns life does not revolve around acceptance into Columbia University. During this timeframe, Des and Devi begin secretly dating behind their mothers’ backs. 

After their mothers find out about the pair, Devi’s mom approves, which contradicts her no dating rule. On the other hand, Des’s mom disapproves and worries Devi’s trauma might negatively affect her son and soon tells her son to stop dating Devi. 

After all the Des drama, Devi gets offered to spend her senior year in a prestigious school in Colorado but decides that she does not want to leave her mom just yet. To add to the boy drama, she also realizes who she has liked all along: Ben.

“I feel like Devi used to be really immature and she didn’t think about the consequences of her actions but this season she has become more mature and she thinks before she does something,” junior Sarah Abdallah said.

In the latest season, the comedy develops Devi and allows her to noticeably differ from previous seasons by showing her maturity in dealing with her problems and relationships. Watchers finally follow Devi into a healthy relationship where she feels comfortable with her romantic relationships and heartwarming moments building the relationship with her mother. The show portrayed the mother and daughter having a rocky relationship and struggling to understand one another. In this season, Devi’s mother supports her child and tells her not to care about what anyone thinks of her. Writers of the show also displayed versatility by following another character’s life. It continues to address mental health through another person’s conflicts. Both learn from their mistakes and finally love themselves through support and humor.

The show provides relatable experiences of a first-generation immigrant teen and shows South Asian representation through Devi and her family’s culture on the big screen. “Never Have I Ever” also portrays the rocky moments of a mother and daughter relationship and the way they support each other in handling the grief of the passing of a father and a husband. The show’s creator, Mindy Kaling explained in an interview that the show does not include real stories about her life, but her childhood inspired the show’s themes instead. 

“The representation of South Asian culture means a lot to us [South Asians] because there aren’t many shows or movies that represent South Asian culture. I feel happy seeing South Asian shows getting popular,” junior Amsha Shastrula said.

The Chant’s Grade: A+