‘Never Have I Ever’ on Netflix is Sometimes Funny and Sometimes Not

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Fun shows on Netflix or high school comedies still seem to be a “thing” I enjoy watching. Do I relate to them? Not in the way someone who attends high school does, but sure, there are some bigger issue topics I can pull from. This series, Never Have I Ever season one, is imperfect, but mostly entertaining.

Never Have I Ever Season One Netflix Review

For Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), going into junior year promises to be better than last year… right? It has to be. After all, last year was about as terrible as you can get between the medical mystery that was Devi’s inability to walk for months and the sudden tragic death of her most beloved father. Now it’s just Devi, her successful mother and her pretty cousin, Kamala (Richa Moorjani), a woman who seems to have doubts about the traditional her family wants to do things.

Optimistic heading into the new school year, Devi determines she’s fine emotionally and ready to snag boyfriends for herself and her two besties. Only trouble is, one of her besties is hiding a guy; and Devi decides maybe the best course of action is to try and catch the eye of the school’s most popular dude, Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnet). never have I ever season one

From producer Mindy Kaling, this series charmed lots of people given how many have a thing for Kaling’s The Mindy Project. I’ve seen this likened to it as a kind of young adult version. While I cannot say whether or not it is from experience, Never Have I Ever is funny but also something that may have a limited audience.

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‘Never Have I Ever’ on Netflix is Sometimes Funny and Sometimes Not. A review of Never Have I Ever season one. © Rissi JC

Personally I don’t relate to these beliefs, and I feel like even these characters treat them in a sort of come-and-go, comedic way. Perhaps this is intentional, I don’t know, but either way, it’s a very flippant attitude. Beyond this, the morals are so loose in these teen characters. Everyone talks about having sex (or other crude variations) and Devi makes plans about how best to lose her virginity. It gets old after a while (though does lessen later on) just because most of these characters are likable. never have i ever season one

Whether its Devi and her girl squad or the cousin Devi is determined to dislike (her story is cute), there’s someone we want to root for; even Devi’s therapist, played by Nancy Niesh, adds a great sense of humor. I’m not a fan of how some of the feelings shift given all we know of the character who Devi changes towards. It just doesn’t feel “right.” That said, I know I’m 100% in the minority as most viewers seem to love this first season.

If you like other of Netflix’s young adult TV offerings, you’re likely to enjoy this. There’s some fun moments and the friendships remain strong through ups and downs. In short, even though I have tepid feelings about this, given my track record with other of Netflix’s originals (i.e., liking the ones that are vilified), I suspect this is a “it’s not you, it’s me” scenario.

You can find Never Have I Ever season one streaming on Netflix.

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‘Never Have I Ever’ on Netflix is Sometimes Funny and Sometimes Not. A review of Never Have I Ever season one. © Rissi JC
‘Never Have I Ever’ on Netflix is Sometimes Funny and Sometimes Not. A review of season one, now on Netflix. #NeverHaveIEver #Netflix #TVshows #WhattoWatch Share on X

Content: there’s lots of talk of sex/losing virginity (this also deals with a homosexual relationship, and coming “out” along with other issues surrounding this). Other crude references or comments are standard place. Thematic elements like bullying or other emotional turmoil is also dealt with. There’s some profanity throughout the series as well. This rates TV-14.

Photos: Netflix

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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