Hi guys,
So last week I binged the second season of Never Have I Ever. This series brings me so much joy, and in times like these when doom and pain are everywhere, there is nothing like a good distraction.
There are many things that I love about Never Have I Ever – the acting by the main cast is really good, the script is extremely funny while still being heartfelt and hard-hitting. Most of all I like the fact that the main character, Devi is flawed but she learns from her actions and gets call out by the other characters in the series. Another thing that that I think that the show does very well, is the main love triangle.
Let me get it on record and say that I really don’t like love triangles. They are messy, they cause unnecessary confusion, there is usually a clear favourite and you have to watch repetitive storylines. I’m usually rooting for all sides of the triangle to find love with someone else. Elena Gilbert? She was annoying AF and still thought she deserved better than Stefan and Damon. Bella Swan? Should’ve left both those possessive men behind.
I don’t like the back-and-forth, but there has been two recent examples of love triangles that I have felt worked because I, felt that the couples were equally yoked and both relationships were compelling. The one was NHIE’s Paxton/Devi/Ben and the other was Max/Zoey/Simon triangle on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist season one. This is the ideal. You should not have a team, you should be just as much on the fence as the character in the middle of the triangle, or else it’s a couple and that little irritating thing on the side.
In the first episode of season 2 of NHIE, I had no idea who Devi was going to pick and throughout season I kept flip-flopping between who I preferred her with, which is good writing because it kept me engaged. Usually if I don’t like one side of a triangle I will tune out during their scenes, but I was here for the shebang. It also meant that by the end of the season, I was both pleased by the outcome but also had a feeling like something was unresolved which means I’m hungry for the next season.
Which love triangles do you think was well done?
bennifer update
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez became Instagram official this weekend. In pure LEO energy during LEO season, JLo posted some pics of her on a yacht for her birthday on Saturday. And then within the slideshow of images, the last one was of her and Ben kissing. AND the pair reenacted one of their most famous images from their OG dating run.
Now listen, I don’t know where this is going? I don’t know if they are trolling us? But they look like they are having a lot of fun and I’m ready to go along for the ride.
recs
Film: The Mitchells vs The Machines - This film had me in tears. It tells the story of a family of ‘weird people’ who are forced to work together during a robot apocalypse. It tells such an important story of trying to understand and relate to your family even when they are different to you. You can watch it on Netflix.
Series: His Dark Materials S2 - I did not quite warm to His Dark Materials season 1. I have never read the books (or watched the original film) and I was just confused by all the characters. But season 2 completely gripped me, I felt blown away by the story, the compelling characters and the talent of the actors. I’m so excited for the next season. You can watch it on Showmax now.
what i’ve been writing
For Channel24, I reviewed the comedy/drama Physical on Apple TV+. Rose Byrne stars as Sheila, a women who fights her inner demons to start an aerobics empire in the 1980s. You can read my review here.
what’s ign crushing on
In our first episode of season 3 we discussed the Emmy nominees of 2021, the updates in the #FreeBritney movement, and the Grease Pink Ladies prequel. We were also joined by Kim Engelbrecht to talk about her new series Reyka, being on The Flash and coloured representation on South African TV. You can listen to the episode here.