Never Have I Ever: Debating Ben vs. Paxton based on TV’s best love triangles
By Reed Gaudens
Can Felicity’s love triangle with Ben and Noel help us take sides in Devi’s love triangle with Ben and Paxton on Never Have I Ever?
We need to talk about the most pressing romantic comedy matter of the moment: Team Ben or Team Paxton? All kidding aside, the only thing I can seem to think about right now is Netflix’s stellar hit teen comedy Never Have I Ever from creators Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher. I don’t know about you, but it’s a welcome distraction and return to rom-coms worthy of discussion. But the series has invited a debate into our lives that’s ruining friendships faster than Devi ruined hers.
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Again, all kidding aside, Never Have I Ever has inspired heated side-taking between the two love interests in Devi’s life, harkening back to the good old days of watercooler-worthy love triangles on television. While Devi pursued popular swimmer Paxton Hall-Yoshida for much of the first season’s 10 episodes, her bitter rivalry with fellow overachiever Ben Gross sparked something intriguing once they laid down their weapons. Who, if anyone, will she choose?
It’s time to recall some of the best love triangles of television series past to put the debate between Ben and Paxton under the microscope. Maybe from overanalyzing the fan-favorite couplings on Felicity, Hart of Dixie, Beverly Hills, 90210, Gilmore Girls, and The Mindy Project we can glean some clarity on Devi’s romantic future. I’d have included love triangles from The Vampire Diaries, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Grey’s Anatomy, and others, but those pose much greater variables.
Is the love triangle the most important part of Never Have I Ever? No. But is it the most exciting? Yes. And do we need excitement right now? As much as we can get.
How about we indulge our romantic impulses and think far too deeply about a decision that poses no direct impact on our own lives? With the help of trusted TV characters, let’s settle the Ben vs. Paxton debate once and for all with a foolproof research study. Click through the thorough investigation and be sure to share your own findings in the comments!