Heartfelt Moments from Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever”

Never Have I Ever is an American comedy-drama series created by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher focusing on the life of an Indian-American teen Devi Vishakumar who after a traumatic year wants to go from pariah to popular in her high school.

While the series is chock full of emotions, laugh out loud and some cringe, we picked a few of our favourite highlights.

Devi Plays the Harp Again

The death of Devi’s father, Mohan, is a major driving point for “Never Have I Ever”. The flashbacks show Devi playing the Harp at her school’s orchestra concert, where her father gets a heart attack in the middle of the performance. After which she takes a break from playing the harp for more than a year. However, when Kamala’s boyfriend Steve sneaks into their home during lunch with her potential future husband Prashant. Devi had to play the harp as a distraction. She struggles at first, but as she starts playing there are flashes of happy memories, like her father gifting her the harp.

Devi Playing Harp

Ben Breakdown in Front of Nalini

In season 1 Episode 6 “been the loneliest boy in the world” which throws light on Ben’s life and explains how absentee parents, a shallow girlfriend and no one to hang out with, have shaped his personality. After being left alone by his parents and being catfished by a middle-aged man, Ben’s day worsens when he gets a pimple.

This leads him to Nalini’s clinic where he breakdown when she mentions how her family eats dinner together every night. Later Nalini invites him for dinner, leading to a bonding moment between his nemesis Devi and him.

Ben visits Nalini at her Clinic

Fabiola Comes Out

In the initial episodes, Fabiola struggles with the idea that she is attracted to another girl in her class. The first time she acknowledges it is to her robot. However, once Fabiola gets the opportunity to sit down with Elenor, she decides to tell her. She apologizes for not telling her sooner but Elenor cuts her off and says, “Do not dare apologize to me. I love this for you.” What stands out here is the simplicity of the scene, the writers did a fantastic job showing that being Gay is normal and all you need is a lack of judgement and acceptance from your family and friends.

Pride Moment for Fabiola

Nalini, Devi and Kamala Spread Mohan’s Ashes

We can all admit that we cried our hearts out in the final episode of season 1. Nalini decides to finally spread Mohan’s Ashes at Malibu on his first Birthday after his death. She visits Devi and asks her to join her, but she gets mad as she was not ready for that.

Later Ben convinces her and drives her to Malibu. Devi manages to reach on time and cries with her mother as the two reconcile. They spread Mohan’s ashes and recite a small prayer. Nalini then prompts Kamala to play “Beautiful Day” by U2 which was the same song on which she had danced with Mohan when they had brought their house.

Spreading Mohan’s Ashes

Devi Decides Not to Go to Boarding School

Team Ben and Team Paxton may relax as the real love story is between the mother and daughter duo. In the final episode, Devi gets an offer from Shrubland School, an institution in Colorado that can make sure she gets into Ivy League. After visiting it at her mother’s insistence she decides to go there. Though she is sad to leave Eleanor, Fabiola and Ben, it is because of Nalini she decides not to go.

They had their arguments and fights over the years but they both had been through some grief, including Mohan’s death. Devi who had already lost her dad didn’t want to miss the opportunity to spend one more year with her mom. This scene is so emotional as it breaks down the barrier between Nalini and Devi and shows how their relationship has evolved.

Nalini and Devi