Hey, it’s Hannah, Hannah Baker. That’s right. Don’t adjust your… whatever device you’re listening to 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. ‘Cause I’m about to tell you the story of my life.
This is how season 1 of the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why starts off. Since it was release in 2017, many people have talked about this show with discussions primarily focusing on the triggers in the show and how it would encourage others to follow in Hannah’s example. While we all can hopefully agree on the fact that suicide and self harm should not be seen as a solution for any problems, there are many things we can learn from the series itself.
Jay Asher published this novel in 2007 and it certainly has been a standout novel for him. Soon after I stumbled upon this book, I was shocked as after all, it was a young adult book. That being said, it could be possible that this show could be part of the school education plan. Why you say? Since we are now living in a time where people should start talking about how they feel and if their minds begin to drift into a dark corner of their minds or in search for help if they cannot deal with them on their own. We must find the courage to speak up and show bullies the consequences of their actions.
In the first season of the series as well as the book, the story explores Hannah Baker who commits suicide after being bullied for a long time. Before she dies, she records 13 tapes each with a reason why that led her to do what she did.
The group of tapes are overseen by Tony Padilla who found them on his doorstep one day and he is tasked with passing on the tapes to everyone who is mentioned on them with each tape focusing on one person in her life that helped to push her over the edge.
- Justin Foley who took an inappropriate picture of her and let Bryce send it around school.
- Jessica Davis who starts dating Alex and leaves her feeling like the third wheel.
- Alex Standall who ends their friendship because of Jessica and writes Hannah’s name on the “not hot” list.
- Tyler Down who stalked her and took inappropriate pictures of her.
- Courtney Crimsen for hiding her sexuality and says Hannah is easy to have.
- Marcus Cole who tries to sexually assault her because of a bet.
- Zach Dempsey for stealing positive notes and only leaving the negative ones.
- Ryan Shaver for publishing her personal poem in the school paper.
- Justin Foley again because he let Bryce rape Jessica while she was passed out from drinking.
- Sheri Holland for knocking down the stop sign which lead to the death of another student.
- Clay Jensen the nice boy she wished would ask her once more how she really felt and not have to give him hints to do so.
- Bryce Walker who raped her.
- Kevin Porter the guidance counsellor who was her last cry for help.
It seems possible that one misinterpretation can change your life and how people see you forever. She was there for her friends and not scared to take a stand, but when she needed them the most, they left her alone in a spotlight she never asked for.
I wanted people to trust me, despite anything they’d heard. And more than that, I wanted them to know me. Not the stuff they thought they knew about me. No, the real me. I wanted them to get past the rumours.
While the tapes were an essential part of season one, the follow-up season saw Polaroid’s replacing them this time around. They show that there is a lot more going on at Liberty High than everyone could imagine.
Season 2 follows everyone mentioned on the tapes with each of them preparing to testify in court as Hannah’s mother is suing the school for not doing something against bullying and for not helping her daughter when she needed it.. Every episode focuses on one person and their true relationship with Hannah, who appears in flashbacks as well as Clay’s hallucinations. The season picks up six months after Hannah’s death and it seems Clay has suffered the most with her death and starts ‘talking’ to her so he can understand her actions. In the end because he loves her, he has to let her go.
During the trial you get to know a different side of Hannah with various questions asked: who was Hannah? Did she provoke everything that happened to her? Did she call the people and actions by their names?
One of the most shocking episodes for me was when Zach gave his testimony, which was shocking because I did not expect to see another side of him—a side that cared for Hannah. It was sad to know how he felt and that he let her down because he was worried about what would the others say about their friendship.
The adults are put under the spotlight in this season as well and it shows two examples of a trustworthy and untrustworthy person.
Clay is called to Principal Gary Bolan’s office, who seems to be annoyed by the trial and asks Clay to stay quiet after the tapes were released online for everyone to listen to. Bolan is afraid that people would call her an example for every bad thing that happens in schools and put a bad light on Liberty High. Sadly, Bolan never listened to a single tape.
And then there is Kevin Porter, Liberty High’s ‘guidance counsellor’. Eaten up by his own guilt, he has to admit he could have done so much more. In Episode 9, Mr Porter has to testify and what he says is honest and full of guilt while also talking about everything that is wrong in our world and how it should change. His speech is focused on teenagers, but can also be applicable to almost every person.
“My name is Kevin Porter. I’m a guidance counsellor at Liberty High School. I would say I help as many kids as I can. That’s why I got into education. But I don’t get to see every kid. I try to keep an eye out, but you have to count on kids to come to you. And not every kid who does come to you is able to ask for the help they need. Not every kid tells you the whole truth.
Not every kid who comes to you in pain can tell you where it hurts. Some kids can’t speak their truth. Some won’t. To us, their families…
And so they think they’re the only person in the world feeling what they’re feeling, and that no one could possibly understand. And for many kids, trust doesn’t come easy. Trusting an adult with something so personal … I can understand her silence.
I could have done more. I could have stopped her from walking out that door. She didn’t just leave. I let her go. I was just trying to do the… the right thing. I was following protocol. The protocol probably needs to change. But more importantly… Kevin Porter needs to change. Mrs. Baker, I didn’t mean to let your daughter down. I’m sorry.”
When kids feel powerless when they feel they have no avenue for understanding they act out. Hannah and I, we failed each other. If we had only tried harder, each of us, to reach out, to understand, to trust each other, to let ourselves help and be helped, it would have made all the difference.
I can’t go back and fix my mistake. I can’t change the past.”
As Mr. Porter says, we need change. Society, the law, and so on because people have to change, now more than ever as we are confronted with hate and bullying every day. Every single one of us, one way or another. In person, through the news, on social media, and so forth.
If you or someone you know needs helps, we encourage you to explore the tools, contacts and information on 13ReasonsWhy.info.
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