After a very compelling past two seasons, the third season of the hit show “Never Have I Ever” has created a significantly different impression on audiences. Now focused on illustrating current issues that many adolescents similarly face, fans everywhere have been proclaiming their praise towards the unexpected, yet very much appreciated, new approach towards the show, which aired on Aug. 12.

Bella Pagliuca, a senior and long-time fan of the popular series, discussed her thoughts regarding the newest season.

“If I’m being honest, when I started the third season of ‘Never Have I Ever’ I wasn’t expecting much,” Pagliuca said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love the show, but everybody knows that it’s not the type someone watches to appreciate meaningful themes, so I was pleasantly surprised when I realized that this season would be different.”

Some themes currently being explored in the show include the pressure of social expectations, academic validation, handling insecurity, coping with grief, finding love, and others.

One particular example involves none other than the main character, Devi Vishwakumar, played by Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. Throughout the series, fans watch as Devi faces difficult predicaments, such as experiencing a panic attack at the end of the season due to her inability to cope with her father’s loss.

Additionally, fans are happy to witness one of the only LGBT characters on the show, Fabiola Torres, portrayed by Lee Rodriguez, as she undergoes her journey after officially coming out. Wiregrass Ranch junior Tiana Vasquez shares how grateful she was for the further development of Fabiola’s character this season.

“It was nice getting to see how Fabiola grew more confident and comfortable within herself after her coming out,”  Vasquez said. “Especially when she previously was too scared to do so in fear of being judged.”

Moreover, with season four of “Never Have I Ever” being the last in the series, it is crucial that the audience notes how much Devi and her friends have grown since the start of the show. From a once insecure young girl to a strong-minded young woman, it is clear to all that Devi no longer relies on the opinions of others to determine her self worth but instead relies on her own viewpoints.

Teen dramas are known for incorporating soap opera elements to help the viewers find it more entertaining to watch; what makes “Never Have I Ever” so unlike the rest is the fact that it continuously incorporates key themes and messages to help bring relatability towards the ever-growing audience.

Season three illustrates the adversities Devi faces as she learns to love herself and follow her heart. While many may argue that the plot of this show is purely based on the love interest Devi finds herself drawn towards, it’s clear to see that the true love story is the self love that Devi gains for herself. Ultimately, the third season has proven to be quite the success and fans can not wait to see what is in store for them in the final season on Netflix.