Everything You Need to Remember About Seasons 1-3 of “Never Have I Ever” Before Watching Season 4
*Major spoilers for Never Have I Ever below!*
For three seasons, Netflix has taken viewers through the highs and lows of Devi Vishwakumar's life in Never Have I Ever. On June 8, the streamer released the fourth and final season of the teen comedy, and tbh, we are sad to bid our final farewells to Devi and her Sherman Oaks crew.
From watching the fearless and outspoken teen grieve her late father to the iron-clad friendship she shares with her besties Eleanor and Fabiola and the shocking love triangle with Devi, her sworn enemy, Ben, and her school's biggest jock, Paxton, there are so many iconic moments from the Mindy Kahling-led series. If you need to catch up on the Sherman Oaks crew before you binge season 4, read ahead for a recap of Never Have I Ever seasons 1 to 3.
Season 1
High school is a tough time for most teens, especially for Devi (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan). Season one begins with the Sherman Oaks sophomore struggling after the sudden death of her father, who suffered a heart attack while attending a concert at her school during her first year. Instead of the reputation she earned as a "Crazy Devi," because she was known for flying off the handle and stopped walking after her father's death when she was a freshman, Devi wants to use her sophomore year as a clean slate to become the girl of her dreams. She attempts to climb the social ladder with her besties, Eleanor (Ramona Young) and Fabiola (Lee Rodriguez), and thinks landing a boyfriend will help her become her school's it-girl. She pursues a sought-after upperclassman named Paxton Hall-Yoshida (Darren Barnet).
The teen comedy doesn't just focus on Devi's love life. It also gives viewers a look at the family dynamic with Davi's ultra-conservative and loving mother, Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan), and her older cousin Kamala (Richa Moorjani).
Throughout Never Have I Ever season 1, Devi fights and reconciles with her besties, goes head to head with her mother over the idea of moving to India, deals with the ebbs and flows of a high school 'ship with Pax, and consistently tries to come out victorious over her frenemy Ben (Jaren Lewison). As the season ends, things seem to be going right for the first time in Devi's life. Paxton realizes that he's really into Devi and calls her to let her know while she is busy kissing Ben in the ultimate cliffhanger.
Season 2
Season 2 kicks off with Paxton apologizing to Devi. After talking it over with her besties, Devi decides to date both Paxton and Ben at the same time, largely because she thinks her family will be moving to India soon. Devi's two-timing ultimately catches up to her, and both Ben and Paxton are extremely upset when they find out.
She manages to work things out with Paxton. Her relationship with Ben, on the other hand, gets a little more complicated, especially now that a new student Anessa (Megan Suri), has captured his attention. Furious at the thought of Ben moving on to someone else, Devi spreads a lie about her that actually winds up being true.
Devi eventually apologizes to Annessa for spreading rumors, and she begins dating Ben. Just as things take off between Anessa and Ben, Paxton and Devi take things to another level by seeing each other in private. Devi was unsure of their situation and got even more confused when Paxton would treat her like a friend (and not a girlfriend) at school. All of Devi's questions are seemingly answered when Paxton picks her up for The Winter Ball and says that he wants to be her boyfriend. When they arrive together, Ben is visibly disappointed, hinting that he may still have lingering feelings for Devi. As Devi navigates her own love triangle, her besties are having promising updates in their love lives as well.
Fab and her gf Eve are named Sherman Oaks High School's Cricket Queen and Queen at The Winter Ball, while Eleanor is asked to the dance by Paxton's stoner best friend, Trent.
Romance is in the air this season as Devi's mom goes on several dates with a fellow dermatologist. However, she realizes she's not ready to date so quickly. Devi's big cousin Kamala experiences sexism at her job and finally decides to stand up to her misogynistic boss Evan. Once she does that, her boyfriend Prashant (Rushi Kota) pops the question, and she denies his proposal, largely because he encouraged her not to speak up about the injustice she experienced at work. All is not lost for Kamala as she makes what seems to be a love connection with Devi's English teacher Manish (Utkarsh Ambudkar).
Season 3
Season 3 begins with Devi and Paxton in a fully committed relationship, much to the dismay of their peers, who begin to slut shame her. As Devi faces adversity at school, her bestie Fab breaks up with her long-distance girlfriend because it's putting too much stress on her, while Kamala tells her ultra-conservative and traditional family that she is not going to get married. Devi receives a text warning her about Paxton and later finds that it's from his former bestie Haley. Devi's relationships may be rocky, but there are fun developments for the people closest to her. Nalini branches out and befriends Rhyah and Nirmala, two other traditional Indian moms, while Devi's newly single bestie, Fab, kisses Anessa in the girl's bathroom.
Valentine's Day arrives at Sherman Oaks, and the school attempts to find the perfect match by pairing up the most compatible students. Paxton and Haley are found to be perfect for one another, while Devi is matched with Eric Perkins. Ben lies and says that he was matched with his girlfriend when he was truly matched with Devi.
Unfortunately, the day for lovers doesn't end well for Devi because Paxton breaks up with her. Now that Devi's single, she's set up on a date with her mother's friend Rhyan's son, Nirdesh, and they go to a party together. Originally Devi wasn't feeling the idea of dating Desh, but she changed her mind when she saw him IRL. Devi freaks out when she sees Paxton kiss another girl, and Nirdesh helps calm her down and dances with her to make him jealous.
Ben is backed up after not pooping in weeks and experiences a medical emergency that makes him fall to the ground right in front of Paxton. Despite their differences, Paxton picks him up and takes him to the hospital. The unlikely duo bond over Paxton's support, and Ben eventually helps him write his college essay. Devi ultimately gets caught cheating during a debate club match, and Manish brings her home to face her family. As her mom watches the connection between Manish and Kalama, she realizes how much they care for one another and accepts their relationship.
Nirdesh and Devi continue to sneak around behind their mothers' backs until Rhyah catches them in the act. After talking it over with Nalini and later helping Devi after seeing her hyperventilate, Rhyah tells her son to stop dating Devi, and he agrees. With all of her prospective romances at a standstill, Devi toys with the idea of leaving Sherman Oaks for good to spend her senior year at a boarding school in Colorado. Earlier in the season, Ben handed Devi a coupon that said "One Free Boink" while she opened up to him about still being a virgin. The season ends with Devi coming to his house and handing him the card.
In typical NHIE fashion, there's so much happening in Devi's world, and if you've taken a peek at the trailer for season 4 then you know you're in for a ride. Will Devi and Ben go all the way? What does life after high school look like for Devi and her friends? We only have one season left, so get ready for the ultimate last hurrah.
Season 4 of Never Have I Ever debuts on Netflix on Thursday, June 8.
Catch up on Never Have I Ever seasons 1-3 now
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