The fourth and final season of the hit comedy series "Never Have I Ever," created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher, takes viewers on Devi Vishwakumar's (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) journey through her senior year of high school. As the show bids farewell to Sherman Oaks High School, it becomes evident how much of Kaling's personal experiences have influenced the series. However, the final season fails to recapture the unique spark that made the show special. Despite some humorous moments, the jokes often feel one-note, and the stakes appear underwhelming. Additionally, the predictable trajectory of Devi's academic future, following Kaling's tendency to place her lead characters in prestigious Ivy League schools, diminishes the suspense surrounding her academic journey.
One recurring issue in Kaling's work has been the portrayal of romantic storylines for her lead female characters, who are often self-insert versions of Kaling herself. This pattern continues in the final season of Never Have I Ever with the romantic arc between Devi and Ben Gross (Jaren Lewinson). While the concept of "enemies to lovers" can be compelling, Kaling's portrayal of their relationship fails to bring anything new or innovative to the table.
Furthermore, the series perpetuates a troubling pattern observed in Kaling's other shows: the pairing of Indian female characters with white men who frequently belittle and demean them. This dynamic raises questions about the depiction of brown women in Kaling's stories and the extent to which they are made to fit within the narrow confines of white male desire.
Devi and Ben's romance, in line with Kaling's previous works, follows a familiar trajectory without offering any noteworthy developments. The series disappointingly continues to subject its brown female leads to such relationships. While not outright abusive or problematic, these portrayals leave a disconcerting impression. For instance, when Ben refers to Devi as "David" as a playful flirtation tactic, the underlying racist play on her name is not intended to be endearing. This aspect of the series leaves a bitter aftertaste, questioning the intentions behind such choices.
The strength of "Never Have I Ever" lies in its portrayal of Devi's emotional journey, particularly in her sessions with therapist Dr. Ryan, portrayed by Niecy Nash. These scenes provide insightful glimpses into Devi's emotional state and serve as highlights of the show. Despite the abundance of love triangles and complicated romantic entanglements, Devi's grieving process following the loss of her father remains the show's emotional center. These poignant moments, predominantly occurring in the latter half of the season, serve as reminders of the compelling aspects that once defined Devi's character.
In its final season, Never Have I Ever concludes with a lackluster finale. The series falls into the realm of being merely "fine," neither extraordinary nor disappointing. The show's quality sometimes suffers from the showrunners' divided attention, as Kaling's involvement in other projects may have diluted the focus on Never Have I Ever's final chapter. For those who have followed the series from the beginning, it offers a satisfactory conclusion to a coming-of-age story that had the potential for a more memorable impact.
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Overall, Never Have I Ever's final season presents a mixed bag. While it retains some of the show's strengths in addressing Devi's emotional journey and features standout performances, it fails to recapture the uniqueness that defined its earlier seasons. The reliance on predictable plotlines, underwhelming stakes, and problematic romantic dynamics overshadow the show's potential. As fans bid farewell to Devi and her high school years, one can't help but feel that Never Have I Ever fell short of its initial promise and missed the opportunity to leave a lasting impact in the coming-of-age genre.