This season of Never Have I Ever still has me rooting for Devi, but it also has ben angry at her. It’s a season where she’s kind of a jerk, but knowing her story has me still rooting for her to get through and be the girl that I know she can be, because I know she is grieving.
But here’s the thing about grief, it doesn’t fade, your life just finds a way to grow around it. When you’re a kid, it’s harder to figure that out and the steps of growing are more dramatic. Grief isn’t an excuse, but sometimes it is the thing that holds you so tight that it dictates everything in your life.
For Devi, it has a chokehold.
Devi is currently suspended and living life at home with no internet, no communication with her friends, and being at her Grandmas beck and call. For Devi this is the worst form of punishment, as she thrives off of social interaction and gossip. So much so that at dinner, she’s even ready to hear all about Kamala’s lab drama.
That is until Ben shows up and tells Devi that Aneesa is changing schools and that she needs to fix it. This is going to be a complicated situation, because Devi doesn’t know how to fix things. She doesn’t even know how to fix what is going on inside her. But that grief is making the guilt that she feels even more intense, which may not be the worst thing in the world.
But what Devi gets wrong is thinking that fixing the Aneesa situation will help her with Ben and what she needs to realize is that Ben shouldn’t come into this equation. Aneesa is what matters.
Devi constructs an elaborate plan to get out of the house and heads to the school to apologize to Aneesa. What she doesn’t get is that a big apology doesn’t mean a spectacle and decides to have the marching band play, Eleanor and Fabiola dance, and herself dress up in a cricket costume to apologize. But what she does is create more awareness to the rumor and make Aneesa feel like she’s a freak.
When she’s caught by Mr. K and has to be held until someone comes to get her, she’s pissed. But then again, Devi is still not learning by her actions and she needs to have a come to Jesus moment with herself.
Genuine apologies are important to give. It’s Devi remembers her fathers apology when he messed up. It was genuine, he became vulnerable, and honest. A big apology is something that is bigger than the mistake, in the sense that it is genuine, truthful, and there is no excuses. It is where the person responsible takes responsibility and is genuinely sorry.
It’s seeing Aneesa’s pain from her first apology as well as remembering her first apology that inspires Devi to do better. She once again shows up at school and FINALLY realizes the error of her ways. She admits that she did some fucked up shit, but she is sorry and wants to be friends with Aneesa.
Now, what happens next, we need to go back a second. Nalani, at the beginning of the episode talks to Dr. Jackson. She broke down and cried – feeling like a bad Mom and as if she can’t do anything right. She’s upset over the things that Devi has done and feels like a bad Mom. But in their conversation, Dr. Jackson tells her something that makes a significant difference – when your kids tell you that they need you, you show up.
And that night when Nalani shows up at home, Devi tells her just that. She needs her. She needs her to talk to Aneesa’s Mom and get her to let her stay. I almost broke into tears when she talked to Aneesa’s Mom and convinced her to let her stay. Their heart to heart reminded me that Nalani is an overbearing Mom, sure. But more importantly she’s a Mom that loves her daughter no matter what.
And will show up in her own way. And sometimes that will be harsh, but sometimes it will be the way Devi wants; with vulnerability and softness in her tone. Nalani having this conversation is a reminder to Devi that she is so loved.
Throughout the episodes of Never Have I Ever, there has been a consistent thing that happens. Nalani and Devi’s relationship has strengthened. It’s what Devi needs to heal, but it will be a road for them to see it.
Nalani thanks Dr. Jackson for his help, that his advice worked. I love seeing these two together, because you see a different side of Nalani. But that be true, I feel for her because I don’t think it will be something that Devi is ready for. And watching both their hearts break will be a lot to handle.
Now, the side story, Kamala. When she goes to pick Devi up from being caught at school, I saw a sparkle in her eyes. Mr. K and her have an instant attraction. It’s beautiful to see because she deserves happiness.
But the important thing is that it leads to her and Devi talking and what Kamala needs to do to get her name on the paper. Devi doesn’t stop until she gets what she wants, so giving her cousin advice is a bonding moment where Kamala can see that she can too get what she wants.
Kamala heads to the lab and gives Evan coffee with cows milk. He’s lactose intolerant and it sends him to the bathroom. It gives her a second to put her name on the paper and when she gets caught, she flips her shit and tells Evan off. She also quits.
What is important here is that Kamala is finding her strength. She’s smart, powerful, and a force. She just needed to realize it.
Where the season goes, we will see. But right now, I see (I hope) a positive turn. But more drama? Yes. Why? Because Ben wants to date Aneesa and that’s going to cause all sorts of issues.
