Warning:Spoilers ahead.
The popular Netflix series "13 Reasons Why" is a very controversial show.
As Hannah Baker tells her story, we notice that a lot more is going on that just her suicide.
Her actions not only affected her life, but all of those around her. Her choice to send around those tapes affected them even more. Here are 13 reasons why her decision affected others:
1. Justin
Throughout the show Justin acts like a jerk. We find out about his home life and it's truly sad. "Meth Seth" even tries to hurt him in one episode. This is really important because you never know what is going on in someones life. Although what he did to Hannah and Jessica was terrible, hearing the tapes she left behind clearly messed with him more. He stops coming to school, starts getting drunk and high more often, and even avoids Jessica in order to avoid the guilt he has.
2. Jessica
One of the most shocking events in the show is what happened to Jessica at her party. Hannah describes how she was in the closet watching and listening to her friend being assaulted but didn't do anything to stop it. If she had said something, maybe what happened to Jessica would never happen. Throughout the show, Jessica waits for Justin to admit to her that he knew it was true. It was truly a soul crushing act.
3. Alex
It was clear that after Alex had listened to the tapes, he was in bad shape. Everyone was. But he started drinking more and hanging around Bryce and Justin. He sympathizes with Clay as he is struggling with the tapes, but in the last episode, we find out from the principle that Alex has tried to take his own life.
4. Tyler
At the beginning of the series we notice that Tyler gets bullied a lot by the kids at Liberty High. Throughout the tapes, we find that he actually followed Hannah and took pictures of her because he was in love with her. Because of this, the kids would throw rocks into his window. These acts cause him to get angry, and in the last episodes we find out he has been buying guns.
5. Courtney
Although she seems perfect, she has her own secrets. When the photo Tyler took got around, she was so upset. Posting someone else's secrets like that can really hurt a person, especially if they weren't ready for people to know.
6. Zach
What Zach did was cruel. He should have never taken the notes from Hannah as revenge. When he read the note Hannah left behind, he didn't know what to do or what to think. She stated in her tapes that he just tossed out her note without caring. We find out through Zach himself that she was lying, though. He kept her note and he will forever live with the guilt of not doing anything to help her.
7. Sheri
After the accident involving the stop sign, Sheri refuses to call the police. This decision results in a fatal car crash later that night. Sheri has to deal with the fact that her choice affected someones life. She tries to make up for the fact of what she did by taking care of the elderly couple that was involved in the crash. But it wasn't until later that she admits and owns up to her mistakes.
8. Jeff
Jeff did "deserve better." Jeff was a great friend to Clay and tried to help in with his social life, as Clay helped him with academics. What happened to him was truly tragic and should have never happened.
9. Her Parents
Her parents had no idea what was going on in their daughters life. That's why it was so shocking when they found her. What hurt them the most is never truly understanding why it happened. Hannah never thought to let her parents know or try to get them to help. It wasn't until Tony gave them the USB that they will finally know why.
10. Tony
Tony was the one friend Hannah trusted with this task. Although, with the task, came great guilt. He explained how he didn't follow her that day she came over and dropped off the box, but he wish he had. Running to her house and confronting the family took its toll on him, but he decided to obey her rules in memory of her.
11. Mr. Porter
In the last episode, we find out that Hannah actually went to talk to Mr. Porter on the day she took her own life. He was listening and was trying to help understand what she was going through. As a counselor, he kept asking more questions to figure out what was really going on. Hannah didn't want to give the name of the boy who assaulted her. As a counselor, there wasn't much he could do legally to help without more information. He is a victim because he has to live with the fact that he couldn't do enough to save Hannah's life.
12. Clay
Throughout the series, Clay is having the most trouble getting through Hannah Baker's tapes. Hearing her voice really messes with his head. He loved her and never got to tell her that. That is the one thing that eats away at him. She even says that it wasn't something Clay did, but something he didn't do.
13. The Community
Losing two students within a small amount of time can take its toll on the whole community. The school tries it's best to teach the students not to drink and drive and to get help if they or a friend are thinking about suicide.
The decision Hannah Baker made not only affected her life, but everyone around her. Everyone in the show was either going through something or began to experience guilt and suffering as a result of her death. Hannah Baker was the victim, but she was not the only one affected. She never knew how much of an impact she would have on those around her.
If you or anyone you know is thinking about suicide please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or the Suicide Crisis Line at 1-800-784-2433.
