‘Never Have I Ever’ Recap, Season 4, Episodes One and Two

Welcome back, nerds! Can you believe we’ve made it to our final year at Sherman Oaks High? I don’t feel ready to say good-bye.

Before we jump in, let’s give the series its flowers, shall we? Devi (played pitch-perfectly by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan) remains one of the most dynamic, groundbreaking teen characters on TV in a long time. Horny, tempestuous, and messy as hell, she is allowed to exist in ways that typically haven’t been seen as acceptable for Desi girls, both onscreen and in real life, thanks to societal and cultural norms. As a brown dork who was once a high-school overachiever desperate for life experience — and who never saw anyone who looked like me on TV in my teen years — I’ve grown weirdly attached to this fictional character and her family.

The Vishwakumars have also been such a joy to watch and are arguably the scene-stealing heart of the show. Their comedic chops are off the charts but in a way that feels rooted in truth, rather than pure caricature. Also, when was the last time you saw a sitcom starring a multigenerational family of South Indians? This is pioneering stuff! (I know I sound like a broken record, but I looove this show!) What these women provide in the TV landscape is so special and, honestly, is what I’m saddest about losing. They’ve normalized conversations about family conflict, mental health (often a taboo in South Asian communities), and the death of a loved one without feeling heavy-handed or like a tidy after-school special. Speaking of which, I’m…