I watched the show about three years ago when it premiered and I do admit that I have only watched the first season. But even though I have only watched a season, the show has left a bad taste in my mouth.
13 Reasons Why is an American teen web series on Netflix by Brian Yorkey, based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Jay Asher. It tells the story of a high school student named Hannah Baker and why she commits suicide. This is all told through the perspective of 13 tapes she records before her death that state the reason for her death.
The entire show follows a dark and depressing theme, suited for the content of it, we have a teenager who killed herself due to bullying. But the reason I say the show is misleading is because the portrayal of depression and suicidal thoughts has been done in a very disturbing way.
After Hannah Baker kills herself, Clay, the protagonist of the story, receives a box of cassette tapes. These tapes contain the 13 reasons, or specifically people, why she killed herself. Each tape is her explaining one person and her experience with them and how due to their actions, she killed herself. All of the people on the tape receive this box turn by turn, with her intention being that they should feel guilty for their actions.
Not only is this manipulative, but a person who is highly depressed and suicidal would not be in the mental state to create such a tape. They way we are shown that Hannah is not mentally well, she would not be in the mind state to do such a thing with such precise planning.
Many of the people on the tape did not also do very bad things, with some other of them that did not even affect Hannah. It leads us to believe that the only reason some people, specifically Clay, were even on the tape was because Hannah knew that they would feel the most guilty and do something to give her the justice she thought she deserved.
While we can argue that a person who is so highly depressed may think that everyone is against them and so may blame them for even the littlest things they do, no one would create tapes listing out people and reasons and be able to talk about situations with even the littlest of details.
My main problem with the show is that due to Hannah's behaviour and the way her tapes affect everyone, it gives out the message that suicide can be used as revenge.
Again this is my opinion and if you may feel that I may be wrong, please let me know!!
"Hey, it's Hannah. Hannah Baker. That's right. Don't adjust your...whatever device you're hearing this on. It's me, live and in stereo. No return engagements, no encore, and this time, absolutely no requests. Get a snack. Settle in. Because I'm about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you're listening to this tape you're one of the reasons why. I'm not saying which tape brings you into the story. But fear not, if you received this lovely little box, your name will pop up. I promise."
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