So 13 Reasons Why has obviously became super popular since Netflix released the first season. The book was semi well-known back when I was in high school, so essentially a million years ago. Since a majority seems to be finished with the 13 hour long episodes, I figured I would speak about them. I enjoyed the show. I mean besides the sometimes terrible acting, it was not so bad. I enjoyed what the show was trying to speak to in regards to bringing awareness to suicide and how you might can prevent it. I think that is a major lesson that we all need to learn. Yet, I did have some problems with it and by some I mean 13. People have taken this show and even the book to the extreme. They think when people are contemplating suicide they will be like Hannah. I have seen tons of tweets and Facebook posts saying "Wow, now I wonder if my friends have shown me those signs." Not everyone's signs are the same, that is why if they are your friends you should know when they are not acting like themselves. I think the show did shed a light to an issue, but it also brought along some problems. So here are 13 reasons why 13 Reasons Why was problematic.
1. Makes the idea a person's suicide is someone else's fault.
Sure sometimes it might be, but no one every told her to do it. People should not blame others for a selfish action to temporary problems. Hannah goes through and blames one person one by one on how they killed her, when really she was the one who did it to herself.
2. Glorifies and romanticizes suicide.
What is this "Romeo and Juliet?" It is sure seeming that way. This show makes it seem like suicide is the answer to get rid of your problems and get back at the people who did you wrong in your lifetime, all while there is a romantic love interest going on. Most people, key word being most, who have suicidal feelings are alone. Hannah was never alone, the thing that remained consistent throughout the tapes and flashbacks is that Clay was always with her.
3. Character development is shallow.
Besides Jessica and Justin a time or two, the show never really shows what is going on in the other characters' lives. There are bits and pieces throughout. But as an example, maybe Marcus acted the way he did because maybe he was bullied for not being able to get girls. That is not an excuse to act the way he did by any means, but I doubt all of these characters acted out of straight up malice.
4. Only time she reaches out for help is the day she commits.
Unrealistic. Sure it might not be every single day or every single person, but it would definitely be more than once and it would also be someone who she felt more comfortable will. Also why did not she complain about Mr. Porter? I sure would have.
5. It takes more than bullying.
Bullying sucks. If you have gotten through high school, you have been bullied more than once I am sure. But it takes more than just bullying to get someone to the level of being suicidal. Mental health also plays a huge role in this, and bullying effects it but it should not have gotten that far. In reality, someone would have evaluated her mental health state and would have tried to help.
6. Graphics.
Wow. Graphics. Even the warnings were not enough to make me unseen what I saw. These graphics are totally inappropriate for the target audience of high schoolers. Her laying on the basketball court or actually committing was way too much. I got the point to show the severity of it, but Netflix did not have to go that far.
7. Constantly talking about how pretty she was and the fact she committed.
This got on my nerves. Every single episode at least someone always mentions how pretty Hannah was, they do not understand why she did it because she was so pretty. How shallow. Being pretty believe it or not does not help your mental health.
8. How the show portrays how the school handled it.
Imagine Donald Trump saying "Wrong" here. Schoolshave policies on how to handle these events and how to reach out to students who may have a difficult time coping. Schools would also heavily encourage an open door policy to any adult in the building for the students to talk to. The show made it seem like schools are very closed off to these kind of things, and our education system is not like that.
9. How shallow the reasons were.
Remember that one time you stole my pencil? Welcome to your tape. Okay maybe thats a big dramatic, but you get my point. Taking your own life takes a lot more than these shallow reasons, and I hope people would realize that.
10. Gives a cute aesthetic to be sad or tormented.
The show focuses on Hannah's beauty and cuteness throughout the show even through the big issues on hand. They make it seem cute to be experiencing feelings of depression. Let me tell you those feelings are not cute.
11. Makes it seem like people will either care or not care after someone passes away.
Not true. Some people feel indifferent because they do not know how to feel because it is a situation that people do not know how to handle.
12. It makes it seem like a game.
Feelings of depression, being suicidal, and committing suicide is in no way a game. It was annoying how everyone said Hannah wanted it this way. Her death seems like a game show and everyone is trying to put the pieces together.
13. Why aren't there trigger warnings for every single episode?
Reading the trigger warnings, it says that the show discusses suicide. The entire show discusses suicide so why are there no triggers until episode nine. Also online this show is rated 14 and up, so why are there not warnings mentioning age range Netflix? I would not wanted my younger siblings, cousins, or anyone for that matter under the age mentally capable to handle this show. So why Netflix, why?
