The Charm Offensive

In the novel’s conclusion, Charlie and Dev realize each other’s Personal Growth and Self-Acceptance, allowing them to explore the relationship they’ve built the foundation for within the narrative. Dev recognizes the improvements in his health after three months of self-discovery and isolation: “He didn’t even realize how unhealthy he was until he started digging into all the things he’d been ignoring. His depression, […] his dreams of writing, which he pushed aside for the show” (317). By working with his therapist, Dev learns he must prevent himself from resorting to humor and alcohol to hide from his emotions. Dev learns to address his depression in a straightforward, healthy way. Charlie benefits from Dev’s personal growth by gaining a partner who will speak honestly with him, support him, and work with him through conflict instead of pushing him away. For Charlie, time away from Dev allowed him to uncover more about his identity without the influence of others:

As much as I grew over the course of the show, that growth was dependent on Dev, and when he left, I realized my happiness can’t be contingent on another person. I’ve been learning how to be healthy on my own (343).

Charlie grows stronger while independently exploring and accepting his sexuality. He realizes that happily ever afters are never guaranteed and that he must be able to love himself alone. Charlie grows to accept that he is worthy of romantic and platonic love, but he understands that he deserves self-love as well.

LGBTQ+ Love and Representation continues to be emphasized and completes its thematic arc as Ever After’s finale premieres, and Charlie and Dez’s relationship is revealed to the public. The editing efforts to restructure the show’s story to fit Dev and Charlie’s relationship progression normalizes their love and provides LGBTQ+ representation for the viewers. The normalization of LGBTQ+ representation opens the door for the show’s next season, following a contestant from Charlie’s season who also discovered her sexuality while filming. She publicly identifies as a lesbian and introduces a supportive, rebranded Ever After that embraces sexual diversity:

I grew up in a deeply religious family. [...] I always thought my future had to be me walking down the aisle toward my prince. I pursued that future, and I dated men, and I never let myself question why none of those relationships ever felt right (352).

She cites her upbringing as one of the obstacles hindering her self-discovery and acceptance, much like Charlie’s experiences. The acceptance of the direction Charlie’s season and story in Ever After allows the new princess in the next season the freedom and capability to meet 20 more new contestants, who are women, instead of the heterosexual men that could have competed if she had not been inspired to discover her true self as she watched Charlie on his own journey during filming.

Dev’s appearance at the show’s finale also completes the narrative’s theme of The Significance of Emotional Support From Romantic Partners. His arrival signals his support for Charlie’s story within the Ever After show, but also his support of who Charlie is in the current moment as well. After departing to understand their own need for respective self-acceptance and personal growth, Dev and Charlie are able to communicate clearly. Charlie asks Dev’s intentions regarding his presence at the finale, and Dev does not hesitate to indicate his interest in continuing their relationship. This clarity reflects their individual growth and progress and concludes the story as they enjoy the show’s second season from their home in the final scenes of the narrative.