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Two years after Season 2, Mismatched is back on Netflix for a third season with a three-year time jump. Rishi (Rohit Saraf) and Dimple (Prajakta Koli) stayed together that entire time – a new record for them. But love and relationships (and situations) change in an instant. It was all fun and charming for two seasons, but now, when everyone is changing but not evolving, it all becomes a bit boring to watch.
Taruk Raina and Rohit Saraf in a scene from ‘Mismatched’ season 3.
Mismatched has always had the energy of a Y/A novel – its triviality was a big part of its charm and that’s where its relatability came from. While Rishi and Dimple are trying to make long distance work, Anmol (Taruk Raina) is on his own personal journey – playing the image of a ‘troll’ while dealing with his insecurities about his relationship with his girlfriend (Ehsaas Channa). Trying to get rid of. ,
Taruk Raina and Ahsaas Channa in a scene from ‘Mismatched’ season 3.
Rishi and some of his friends are important to Nandini Nahata’s (Dipanita Sharma) research – to create an alternate reality called ‘Betterverse’. This virtual reality becomes a safe haven for Rhett (Lauren Robinson), a trans man for whom this virtual reality provides a much-needed escape.
Meanwhile, Celina (Muskaan Jaffrey) forms an unexpected relationship with the cruel Krish (Abhinav Sharma). Talking about new relationships, Sid sir (Ranvijay Singh) and Zeenat (Vidya Malvade) are trying to make a life of their own. All of these relationship mismatches and different dynamics are at the center of Season 3, but they’re also destroying it.
This season, unlike its predecessors, doesn’t have enough of a grip on its storytelling to justify the sheer number of separate threads. As a result, everything I’m trying to do, including its well-intentioned messages, ends up being very surface level. The story moves from one sequence to another without letting the audience remain immersed in it.
A scene from ‘Mismatch’ Season 3.
It’s a very shaky story compared to the relatability and comfort we found in the first two seasons. It’s one of the few shows that tries to include diverse characters, but without a grip on the stories, the characters are painted in black and white, even if there is a clear intention to create grey.
There are glimpses of something deeper – primarily Rith’s exploration of gender identity and her relationships with those around her. The show also explores how his identity becomes the first thing that comes under attack – even the safety he feels is fragile due to the world he lives in. Its dependence on technology begins to make more sense. But still, there are certain aspects to his character that make him an antagonist of sorts, which would be fine if the story had time to balance the two.
A scene from ‘Mismatch’ Season 3.
People break out into explosive arguments and some things get resolved too easily without addressing the root of the issue. The characters haven’t evolved at all and that’s why, Selena and Kris still remain some of the most interesting characters (and best-performed) of the show. Saraf’s inherent charm and Koli’s effortless screen presence are the only reasons you will remain invested in Rishi and Dimple’s story.
Taruk Raina is still one of the highlights of the show – he seems to be one of the only characters who has seen some real development. Or maybe it’s because his development feels the most natural. The push and pull with Vinny (Channa) stems directly from who they are fundamentally – they are mismatched on paper. And that’s why they’re interesting.
A scene from ‘Mismatch’ Season 3.
Parts of the show are charming and the cast does a great job of keeping the audience sympathetic. From discussing gender dysphoria to grief, childhood trauma, toxic relationships, and activism, the writers understand how to use the negotiation of characters’ identities to create engaging and important conversations.
Although the clichés may still tug at your heartstrings, the predictability gets to you, leaving you nostalgic for better times (aka ‘Mismatch’ Season 2).
