Episode 5 of Season 4 of "Never Have I Ever" unfolds a week after Devi's heart-wrenching breakup with Ethan. Devi, Eleanor, Fabiola, and the rest of the Sherman Oaks senior cohort embark on an exhilarating trip to New York to explore their college prospects. Devi, particularly, is thrilled about her scheduled tour of Princeton with Blair, her former idol and a paragon of academic excellence at Sherman Oaks.
Unbeknownst to Devi, Fabiola conceals her own Princeton application, instead informing Devi of her Yale aspirations. In the bustling metropolis of New York, Ben secures a special, behind-the-scenes glimpse of Columbia University thanks to his father's influential connections, while Fabiola accompanies Eleanor on her auditions at the prestigious Juilliard School.
Back at the Vishwakumar residence, Andres, Margot's father, tirelessly performs odd jobs to lend a helping hand to Nalini. Meanwhile, Kamala confides in Nalini her suspicions about Len cheating on Paati, to which Nalini brushes off as mere paranoia. Despite her initial misgivings, Nalini eagerly embraces the solitude of having the house to herself, as Kamala and Devi are away, and Paati is on a romantic getaway with Len. Andres cautions Nalini against the loneliness that solitude might bring, but she is eager to prove him wrong.
Devi's reunion with Blair shatters her idols' pedestal as she discovers that Blair's current lifestyle is far removed from her former model student persona. Instead of a campus tour, Blair whisks Devi away to a nightclub, revealing her indulgence in frequent partying. Eleanor, meanwhile, steps into the audition room at Juilliard, but her dreams are dashed when Professor Warner questions Fabiola about her hidden Princeton application. Fabiola, citing her desire to surprise Devi, is persuaded by Warner to visit Princeton personally. She confesses her fear of Devi's potential outburst.
Eleanor emerges from her audition devastated by her rejection. At Columbia, Ben finds himself out of his depth, feeling intellectually inferior to his peers and awkward in their company. Blair further tempts Devi with visions of college life filled with unlimited freedom, parties, and romantic escapades.
Back home, Nalini savors the tranquility of an empty house but soon finds it unsettling. Fabiola and Eleanor return to their hotel, finding Ben in need of solace. Eleanor, still reeling from her rejection, seeks comfort. Fabiola reaches out to Devi via text, inquiring about her Princeton tour, only to find out she's at a party. Sensing an opportunity to lift Eleanor's spirits, Fabiola, joined by Ben, heads to the party.
At the party, Devi's illusion about Blair is shattered when she learns that Blair is not a Princeton student but a bartender at the club. In Sherman Oaks, Andres arrives unexpectedly at the Vishwakumar house, searching for his misplaced phone, unaware of the intricate web of emotions unraveling in his absence.
Nalini earnestly implores him to stay, expressing her growing weariness of residing alone in their home, now that Margot has departed for her friend's abode. Sensing her solitude, Andres readily concurs to her request. As they converse, Nalini and Andres delve into the prospect of life post-children, when their offspring have flown the nest for college. Nalini reflects fondly on Mohan, Devi's father, and her cherished dream of enjoying leisurely moments with him, which were cut short by his untimely demise. Andres, too, opens up, revealing the initial shock of suddenly finding himself a solo parent but assurances of gradual adjustment.
Across the miles in New York, Blair confesses to Devi the toll her estrangement from family took on her academic pursuits. Life's distractions, coupled with burnout from high school and indulgence in partying, led to her academic downfall—an expulsion from college that casts a shadow of doubt over Devi's own aspirations. Empathetic, Devi dials Paxton to apologize for her premature judgment, having deserted college without even attempting to persevere.
Meanwhile, outside a pulsating club, Fabiola, Eleanor, and Ben discover a pensive Devi. Blair, noticing her friend's distress, warmly extends an invitation for Devi and her circle to join the festivities within.
Immersed in the club's pulsating, electric ambiance, Eleanor unleashes a torrent of heart-wrenching sorrow over Juilliard's harsh rejection, her eyes mirroring the vast expanse of her shattered dreams. Yet, Devi and Fabiola rally to her side like a choir of unwavering encouragement, their voices resonating with a melody of inspiration, urging her not to let one institution's rejection extinguish her burning passion for acting. Their steadfast support ignites a fierce ember within Eleanor, kindling a blazing fire of unyielding determination. Inspired by their camaraderie, the trio finds themselves unable to resist the urge to break into an exhilarating dance, their fluid movements serving as a powerful testament to their shared resilience and unyielding spirit.
But just as the revelry climaxes to a fevered height, a jarring moment shatters the festive aura like a broken glass. A college student, brazenly transgressing the boundaries of propriety, lays an uninvited hand upon Devi. Fortuitously, Ben steps in with swift, decisive action, his fist delivering a powerful strike to the offender, swiftly extracting Devi from the unsavory grip of the situation.
Outside the club's bustling entrance, Devi engaged in an intimate conversation with Ben, voicing her uncertainties about pursuing college amidst the aftermath of her encounter with Blair. Ben reassuringly pointed out that Devi was a world apart from Blair—her counterpart being overly rigid and academically inclined. He further comforted her by highlighting her own experiences, from having a string of boyfriends to attending lively parties, suggesting she'd know how to strike a balance between studies and fun in college.
Devi, in turn, offered Ben a heartfelt pep talk about feeling alienated at Columbia University. She gently urged him to broaden his horizons by reading up on the unique culture there, encouraging him to find his place among its students. As their friendship blossomed anew, Fabiola and Eleanor joined their circle, interrupting their tender moment.
Blair advanced with determination, conveying to the assembled group that the offensive individual who had engaged in inappropriate touching had been promptly expelled. However, she also imparted the deflating news that, owing to their minority status, they were all being requested to depart the premises. She extended a heartfelt apology to Devi for failing to provide her with the tour she deserved. As if orchestrated by a dramatic twist of fate, Professors Warner and Shapiro arrived on the scene at this very moment, poised to accompany the students back to their hotel.
Professor Warner, visibly irritated, lambasted the quartet for ditching their hotel room and venturing into the club. Her frustration culminated in an abrupt decision: she cut the trip short, sending everyone packing and heading home prematurely.
The following morning, Andres left a thoughtfully crafted birdhouse at the Vishwakumar residence as a token for Nalini, an act filled with quiet affection. Meanwhile, aboard the flight back home, Devi was content, relishing her reconciliation with Ben. She shared with Fabiola a pang of guilt, stemming from Fabiola's inability to visit Yale. The episode concluded on a poignant note, with Fabiola grappling with her own sense of remorse for deceiving her dear friend.
