Fix: High school in all of its awkward glory, female friendships, hilarious writing, graduation
Platform: Netflix
Netflix Summary:
Senior year has finally arrived. Between college conundrums, identity crises and crushes that won’t fade, are Devi and the gang ready to face the future?
FYA Summary:
FYI: I won’t spoil anything about Season 4 beyond the first episode (though if you wanna join me in the comments, we can totally discuss the whole shebang).
Y’all! I can’t believe senior year is already here!! Somebody cue up Vitamin C because I don’t want to say good-bye!!! Like, how will I know how I feel about anything without John McEnroe to guide me?
Seriously, though, I think I’m more sad to part with Devi & Co. than I was with my actual high school friends (sorry gang). This series has just been so damn special, from the gut-busting humor to the legit poignant moments of navigating friendship and family, and Devi has earned her place alongside Angela Chase and Veronica Mars in the Teen TV Heroine Hall of Fame. And even though, yes, she has matured a bit, she’s still essentially the same Devi we met in Season One—a hotheaded, emotionally stunted over-achiever who you can’t help but root for. That’s one of the things I most admire about the show (and which Season 4 exemplifies): the characters have grown without losing the innate fabric of who they are, which is incredibly realistic because… it’s high school, y’all. It’s only four years, and by the time you graduate, you’re still a teenager.
As this final season (sniff) begins, we find Devi frustrated in the dating department because, after all this time, she and Ben still can’t communicate. (What did I just say!) She’s trying to focus on her Princeton dreams, while Paxton, who is already off at ASU, is discovering what it’s like to be a small fish in a big pond. Meanwhile, the promise of college is also affecting Trent, who’s worried that Eleanor will leave him behind.
And to avoid spoilers, I’ll leave it at that, but of course, there’s a lot more in store for senior year!
Familiar Faces:
Michael Cimino as Ethan
There aren’t many new additions this season, but I would be remiss if I didn’t bring up Ethan, who is FOINE AS HELL. I mean, look at that guy. He’s basically this generation’s Jordan Catalano, because the showrunners know what they’re doing. While he can read, he’s a total dirtbag, which of course just makes him hotter.
Ramona Young as Eleanor, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan as Devi, Lee Rodriguez as Fabiola
Not to belabor what I already said about the character development on this show, but damn what a joy it’s been to watch these three in particular. Their friendship has endured numerous challenges, many of which have come from simply growing up, and the layers they’ve each developed are subtle yet complex. But at their core, they’re still lovably eccentric—Eleanor with her dramatic flair; Devi with her temper; Fab with her robotics geekery.
Also, shout-out to the writers for exploring post-high-school life for Paxton in a way that is both empathetic and, you know, kinda validating for us nerds. And who knew, when you were watching the pilot, that Trent would become, like, a real character?
Couch-Sharing Capability: Never Have I Ever… Watched With Friends
This is one of those shows that I actually enjoy watching alone and yet can’t shut up about the next time I’m in contact with another human. Honestly, if I was at a viewing party, I’d worry about missing a joke because I’d be too busy quoting whatever John McEnroe just said and then everyone would be annoyed so yeah, I’ll stick with JUST ME.
Recommended Level of Inebriation: Never Have I Ever… Turned Down a Cocktail
I think a drink or two is in order, especially to toast to our high school graduates, but you definitely don’t want to get kegger-level wasted. There are too many great moments in this season that you’ll want to remember! Like the Euphoria sex joke! And Nirmala’s [spoiler redacted]!
Use of Your Streaming Subscription: Never Have I Ever… Felt More Satisfied
It’s a rare thing to find a series that not only sticks the landing, but consistently maintains its quality. Heck, even my favorite show of all time was, uh, a little uneven. But Never Have I Ever is the real deal: smart, hilarious, inclusive, and most of all, relatable in its exploration of the high school experience. I’m gonna miss it dearly, but hey, that’s what Netflix is reunions are for!
Now, if you’ve watched Season 4, feel free to join me in the comments for a spoiler-riddled convo!
We published this review during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. This work would not exist without the labor of writers and actors, and we support their goals.
Did this season make me start following Michael Cimino on IG?
Yes. Yes it did.
I mean, that is the most logical course of action.
I love this show so much and was sad to see it go. I know it’s the last season, but I felt like something one of the characters said hinted at a possible spin off show about collage life. Also, this show introduced me to so many great musical artists: Cannons, Haiku Hands, Young Echoes.
Yeah, I am definitely hoping John McEnroe’s last line means there is more to come!!! And hard agree, the soundtrack totally rules.