#like for example DALE who is trying to figure out Hazel and may learn about fairies and wants to use them for his own gain

[this-is-a-name-dont-worry]

yeah no there's no way there isn't a redemption in the long term

the show made you empathize with Dev a lot, and even when he does bad there's a build up to it

of course, it's not because you have the explanation behind the actions that it necessarily means the actions will be redeemed, especially if you're writing a descent into hell story. but things need to be put into context. Dev is a ten years old, he hasn't even gone through the teenage years that construct your personality, so making him irredeemable is difficult; most importantly, while A New Wish has plot and shows some more serious stuff with Dev... it's still a lighthearted silly show. Dale is an asshole, but he is one to a cartoon villain degree (discussion of him only looking in his son's eyes when talking about money??? that's cartoon villain shit) which fits with the show being more lighthearted rather than going into deep and complex individuals.

Which means that if they wanted to have a descent into hell no redemption possible plot with Dev, I think they'd push more into the going too far with the hurt barely justifying things anymore. Which so far isn't the case. Dev's bad decisions are always backed up by something. Maybe it will evolve in later episodes, but so far, since birthday take back, we had three antagonistic actions: Dev wishing Hazel would have bad luck and lose so he can win the tshirt (selfish wish being validated by Irep), wishing Cosmo and Wanda to not exist (wish made out of anger without thinking), telling Hazel a kid has a crush on her when it's false (dumb thing to embarrass her. not great but also level 1 bully, not irredeemable villain level at all, this episode could have been before a new development without difference). Basically, it's just. not good things but they have explanations. So far Dev hasn't exactly reached the "Your hurt is just an excuse for your bad actions" level that I'd expect for this kind of show to make your character irredeemable.

There's no way A New Wish is implying they won't redeem Dev Dimmadome. I feel like it would send a terrible message if they didn't redeem Nickelodean's first ever gen alpha ipad baby. I mean even S&P was bummed out when they watched Operation: Birthday Takeback.