WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Master of None Presents: Moments in Love, now streaming on Netflix.
In the first two seasons of Master of None, Dev (Aziz Ansari) and Denise's (Lena Waithe) friendship was one of the show's strongest. Denise provided key insight into the LGBT lifestyle in New York, while giving Dev pointers on women and how to go about courting them in a fast-moving dating scene fueled by apps and social media. Shockingly, with the third season, Master of None Presents: Moments in Love, we discover that Denise's relationship with Dev is crushed.
Having grown up together since they were kids, the two really are like siblings. It's why we're not surprised when Dev brings his new girl, Reshmi, to their cottage in upstate New York to spend time with Denise and her wife, Alicia. It's been a while, since Denise has been busy due to her rising stardom as a novelist, but the dinner reveals dark secrets when Dev and Reshmi fight.
They pour their insecurities out, confirming that Dev's acting career has failed and they're living at home with his parents as a result. Denise and Alicia are stunned by the couple's toxic behavior, but more so by how far gone Dev is. He's at rock bottom, and while Alicia comforts Reshmi following the insults, Denise tries to figure out why Dev kept it all a secret.
Dev quietly lashes out at her, making it clear that he moved back to Queens and didn't say anything because he felt Denise left him behind. He was her wing-man and true brother, helping her come out as well, but since her stock went up as a celebrity, she's been out of touch. She doesn't return calls or messages, so Dev felt hurt. It's neglectful and selfish, which Denise owns, but she still thinks Dev didn't make a real effort as he's always welcome in her world.
But this is where another secret spills. Dev admits that he's jealous of Denise, so there's bitterness and resentment on his part. He was once destined to be a star on the big screen but while he's working administrative duties now, she's the one who went from magazine writer to art's next big thing.
They put it aside without patching up, but thankfully things are a bit smoother months later when Denise and Alicia go through a rough divorce. Denise's career is crashing and burning too, but Dev's there to help her move because no matter what, he'll always have her back. Their friendship might not be as strong as it once was, but they can still rely on each other.
Season 3 of Master of None, starring Lena Waithe and Naomi Ackie, is streaming on Netflix.