Never Have I Ever S2 E10
...Been a Perfect Girl
Finale!
Following the HEYPAL incident, Devi is wondering what the eff is going on with her and Paxton. She asks him a question that makes my heart hurt: “Are you embarrassed of me?” And he responds in a way so many arrogant guys have in the past.
John McEnroe knows this is bs.
I think any reasonable adult watching this knows that Paxton’s embarrassed of her.
When Devi tells her besties about this, they say there’s only one way to know for sure: if Pax really likes her, he’ll ask her to the dance.
Devi’s so distracted by the HEYPAL and LABELSARECHEESY of it all to forget her lunch/wallet/phone at home. Kamala drops it off and they run into Mr. K who invites Kamala to the dance. Apparently all the teachers drink and do karaoke when they’re supposed to be supervising? Kamala turns him down but her eyes look interested….
We haven’t seen Benessa in a while so I’m unclear whether they’re officially boyf/gf. Aneesa somehow gets a Billly Crystal cameo to ask Ben to the dance. So many questions: why would Ben care about Billy Crystal? Is he a romantic comedy fan like Mindy Kaling? Plus his dad knows every celebrity. Devi decides to follow Aneesa’s lead and ask Pax to the dance herself. After all the over the top gestures, it’s refreshing to see Devi make a sign out of gum wrappers spelling out “DANCE?”
And then the moment that makes my soul want to leave my body. Paxton says “Sorry, but no.”
Devi rushes away and even Trent comments, “That’s harsh, dude.” Harsh is an understatement! I would run home and switch schools. And I blame this whole thing on Aneesa for inspiring the Sadie Hawkins asking in the first place.
Ben sees how upset Devi is and comes into the girls bathroom (ultimate high school crying place) to comfort her. Go with Ben, Devi! Any guy who risks being branded a perv to make you feel better is a keeper. Plus he’s rich. I’m sure his hangout room is way better than that red Ikea futon in Paxton’s shed.
No one who was in the running for homecoming or prom queen in my high school had to campaign, so I don’t really understand why Fabiola has missed so many robotics practices. Deservedly, she’s been ousted as captain and Gears Brosnan has malfunctioned.
That night, Paxton claims he can’t go to the dance with Devi since he was embarrassed when she cheated on him and caused him to get hit by a car? Was that even her fault and did people really know they were dating? He gives her a scary-sounding ultimatum.
Either we do this in secret or not at all.
Hold up there, Paxton. That is not the way to talk to a Tamil goddess like Devi.
Afterwards, Devi is visited by her father who tells her, basically, nobody puts baby in a corner. Devi worries her dad won’t think he’s perfect (as we saw him call her in the home video last episode).
SO proud of Devi when she visits Paxton’s shed to bid him adieu. Honestly this scene wasn’t necessary but the show wanted to give us another shirtless Paxton shot and I’m not mad at it.
Devi and Eleanor look adorable solo at the dance.
But where’s Fabiola? They find her in a classroom, furiously working to repair Gears. She tearfully shares she doesn’t fit in with queer girls and now the robotics team hates her.
But Jonah saves the day. Every character on the show is amazing.
In a total homage to Mean Girls, Fabiola changes into her robotics team polo to accept her Cricket Queen crown.
And with impeccable timing, the guidance counselor calls Paxton (in his shed as usual) on his cell during the dance to congratulate him on his grades and partnering with Devi.
Back at the dance, Trent in a ponytail comes up to “Erica”, as he calls her, to say she was “straight up transcendent” in the play and asks her to dance. I’m so looking forward to MORE TRENT next season.
Flash to Kamala and Prashant having dinner with their families. Kamala freaks when she sees Prashant reach for his pocket for a ring and runs to Sherman Oaks High. Of course she somehow looks amazing running in a sari and is still perfectly put together when she shows up at classroom karaoke. Can anyone off the street just come into this school dance? Also super rude of Kamala to abandon everyone.
The season comes full circle when Devi gets hit by Paxton’s car as she leaves the dance. I’m a little bothered by this…does Paxton like Devi in a romantic way or does he just like the school help she offers? I didn’t think going to the dance together meant people were together but Paxton says they are boyf/gf. Surprised he showed up in a suit! I prefer the soaking wet gray t-shirt…
They walk into the dance holding hands and all heads turn to them. I don’t know, I still don’t trust Paxton based on his past behavior…
Ben sees them together and is crushed. Ben is Jim, Aneesa is Karen, and Devi is Pam. If you haven’t seen Season 3 of The Office, this is a high school version of that love triangle. Eleanor assures Ben that Devi wanted to go with him at the beginning of the season but she and Fab talked her out of it. I honestly don’t remember that, I’ll take her word for it.
….And that’s the season!