Written by Sam Ali
The other week one of our contributors presented a more positive look on 13 Reasons Why, whereas this article has more of an opposing view.
On May 19th, the second season of 13 Reasons Why dropped on Netflix. After not being a fan of the first season, and having read the book written by Jay Asher, I just had to see what the second season was all about…and I have to say, I was quite disappointed, mad, annoyed, irritated, and just in awe of the acting, storyline, and the “ending”.
A novel that started off a discussion regarding bullying and possible mental illness regarding teenagers was then turned into a show of revenge and vindication. It’s hard to say too much in fear of offending someone, or triggering anyone based on his or her own experiences. However, the beauty of pop culture is that movies, shows, and literature are meant for discussion, interpretation, and critique, and that is exactly what I am about to do.
Here are just a couple of reasons why this show is problematic, and just plain bad. Be warned, there are spoilers ahead and potential triggers.
Synopsis
The second season of 13 Reasons Why focuses on the trial between Hannah’s mother, Olivia Baker, and the school. Mrs. Baker wants the school to be held responsible for Hannah’s death—claiming that her daughter reached out for help in multiple ways to the school, and nobody did anything to help her. As each episode progressed, different characters were asked to take the stand and tell their version of the story including their interactions with Hannah Baker before she died.
Watching the trial was infuriating with seeing the kids in season 1 finally understand by the end of the season what bullying can do to a person and how much they wanted to end it, and can change the way the school and the teens act on a daily basis. Then comes along season 2, and each character that goes on trial except for Clay and Tony. They lie on the stand, keep secrets, and still after everything they have all been through, including having a peer commit suicide over bullying, choose to not speak up and get justice for Hannah.
A show that has a huge opportunity to make a difference and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, instead focuses on spinning drama for good television and having their main theme as revenge.
Hannah Baker
A tragic character mixed in with bullying, peer pressure, and just the overall stress of trying to make friends in a new high school. I get it. It’s tough being a teen in a new school, we’ve all been there. She struggles to maintain her image throughout the show, while battling the gossip, rumours and bullying throughout the show. Was Hannah Baker depressed? Anxious? To me, it was pretty unclear. What was clear is the fact boys and girls bullied her, spread rumours, slut shamed, and even worse, raped. Hannah Baker was constantly focused on being accepted among her peers (aren’t we all?), but what I found irritating was her constant need to put herself in bad situations, regardless of what she experienced beforehand. After her first awful experience with Justin, she still drew herself to that group of people. Whether it was Marcus, or Zach, she continued to surround herself with them. No, that isn’t victim blaming, it’s just the truth.
Interestingly enough, Ryan Shaver played by Tommy Dorfman spoke the truest, most real words in the entire show in season 2. While being on the stand for the trial, Ryan Shaver recounts his conversation with Hannah Baker before she died. Sitting together on Hannah’s bedroom floor, Hannah confides in Ryan about her feelings for Justin even after he sent a photo of her around…and Ryan says, “You’ve put your hand on a stove, owie! You learned your lesson.”
This one line spoken by a character that sees through the fakeness of people tells Hannah she has been hurt before by this guy, and should have learned her lesson. And honestly? This quote reigns true throughout the rest of Hannah’s life. Even after Justin, Zach and even Marcus, she decides it’s a good idea to attend a party at Bryce’s house and get into a hot tub with him. Again, this isn’t victim blaming. I am genuinely wondering why you would still hang around these awful people after being hurt and burned by three of them already. It doesn’t make sense to me, and it doesn’t even set a good example, or a good conversation surrounding bullying, or even assault.
Jessica Davis
Another character mixed up in the world of bullying, slut shaming, and the repercussions of a traumatic rape from someone she once considered a friend. Throughout the second season, Jessica is clearly dealing with PTSD, guilt from Hannah’s death, and an inner turmoil on whether or not she should speak up about what Bryce did to her when she goes on the stand for the trial. Instead, she pretends she doesn’t remember who raped her, and wants to keep it that way. Honestly, I understand this. I can’t imagine what that must feel like, to go through everyday and seeing your attacker in school, still being loved by many people, and having the pressure of speaking up. But , this show should be about justice, no? Or is it going to continue on the trend of revenge and drama?
Jessica’s story line was the perfect opportunity for writers, producers, and even the mental health advocates that were involved in the making of season 2 to show girls that have been raped, or assaulted that it is okay to speak up, and that justice can prevail. Well, thank goodness by the end of the season she finally decides to speak on the stand and admit that Bryce is a rapist and that he has done it to her, Hannah, and who knows how many girls. At this point, this is when the watcher gets up and screams YES! JUSTICE! This is how a situation like this should be handled! Silence no more!
But instead, months down the line, Bryce is seen as innocent, and sentenced to three months probation.
Hear me out, yes this does happen in real life. Yes, it’s sad to see that rapists in high school who have a chance at being an athlete in college have a greater chance of being let go of a rape crime. Yes, victims don’t get justice. But this show had the opportunity to make the wrong things RIGHT. It had the opportunity to get Bryce in jail, show kids and even adults that this is what justice is. Not that rich, white athletes in high school can go around raping girls and receive little to no punishment. With the entire build up throughout the season, this was so incredibly disappointing to hear the verdict. I understand it could be to mimic real life situations, but how about using that platform to show what needs to be done instead?
Not only was this whole trial so irritating to watch when Jessica was involved, but it was cringe worthy watching Jessica and Alex get close and not for the reasons you think. After all of the bullying, the cheating, and the assaults, it’s great to see that two very broken and hurt characters find solace in one another. Justin magically disappeared from Jessica’s life, leaving her alone and scared. Then comes Alex to save the day. After Hannah’s funeral, Jessica and Alex go to the Spring dance together, and kiss, but as this is going on…Jessica longingly stares at Justin, who becomes Clay’s new adopted brother which I actually really liked. Here I am thinking, “Jessica, just don’t do it.” What does she do? She meets Justin outside in some creepy little alleyway and they hook up. After everything that happened to each character in this show, Jessica has the nerve to cheat on Alex. It’s just mind-boggling to me, and shows once again focuses on drama and revenge—revenge that will clearly happen once Alex finds about Jessica and Justin.
Justin Foley
Justin is probably one of my favourite characters (if I even really have any). Coming from a broken home and an absent mother, Justin struggled to be accepted by the jocks and made some pretty bad decisions. At the beginning of season 2, Justin isn’t even in the episodes at all. He’s mentioned a few times, but that’s it until we learn he was living on the streets for 6 months and sending postcards to Jessica? How is a 17-year-old kid able to just disappear for six months without the school noticing or anybody speaking up for him? That is, until Clay decides to find him and ends up finding him on the streets in Ohio and addicted to heroin. I mean, I don’t know if it’s just lazy writing, but it seems like Justin couldn’t fit in the beginning of the season, and they just forgot about him, then remembered he should come back. And let’s just not address the fact he was homeless and missing for six months from school, it’s fine.
Tyler Down
Last but not least…Tyler Down. A troubled, lonely, misunderstood teen who desperately just wants friends, and a place where he can feel safe. Honestly, his character made me sad. Sure, in season 1 he took photos of girls, specifically Hannah Baker without permission, but every character on that show has done something horrible. And even after the tapes got out, Tyler was still seen as a loser that nobody wanted to associate with. So much for no more bullying, right? Tyler finds himself befriending Cyrus, a hard-core, punk, anarchy lover. As their friendship blossoms, Tyler begins hating his school even more, loving metal music, and believing in complete and total anarchy. As Tyler’s character continues to get darker, and he begins loving guns more and more, Cyrus gets a little bit too scared and unfortunately their friendship is over. Tyler gets into a dark place mentally, but his parents notice and he is sent to a program where he spends his time outdoors and learns to control his anger. A few months later, near the end of the season, Tyler comes back to school, and he seems…happy! He seems in-tune with himself, and learned to control his reaction to certain situations.
After Bryce’s verdict, Bryce’s creepy, violent friend, Montgomery De La Cruz, is fixated on starting up more drama and super pissed off that Tyler came to the school. La Cruz finds Tyler in the bathroom, and the actions that followed shortly after are horrific, and upsetting. I actually had tears in my eyes while watching, and thinking this is completely unnecessary for television, or is it? What side are you on?
I honestly can’t find the words for this scene… as a society, we are conditioned to be “used” to scenes where girls and women get raped and assaulted in movies or TVs, but we rarely see a teenage boy get raped…especially the way Tyler did.
I don’t know if the show is just trying to have some type of shock factor, to have the viewer continue watching when season 3 rolls around…or if they genuinely want to show that even boys and men get raped. Regardless, after everything that has happened in this show in its two seasons, I think this has gone way too far, and actually creates some negative, and even dangerous perceptions in a viewers’ mind.
Ending
With the horrific scene involving Tyler and La Cruz, Tyler’s anger comes back and he decides he will grab his guns, go to the Spring dance, and shoot up the school. Before that, Tyler sent a text to his ex-girlfriend telling her to watch out because he’s on his way to shoot up the school? I don’t really know, because the text message was never shown. Tyler shows up in his car, dressed in all black, takes out this massive rifle, and Clay Jensen is standing outside trying to convince Tyler not to shoot up the school. After about five minutes of convincing, Clay says the words, “I don’t want you to die.” This line, these words, stick with Tyler, and makes him feel wanted and loved. Could this be an allusion to what should’ve been said to Hannah in her cry for help? We will never know, but it sure seems that way.
So, Tyler gets into the car with Tony, and Clay is left standing there with a rifle in his hands when the cops show up, and boom, the season ends.
A show that truly, truly, glorifies so many concerning themes, glorifies revenge, and honestly is all for the drama and shock factor.
I hope this allows you to think critically of the show, and have discussions with your peers about bullying, violence, and mental health in a healthy, productive way. Because…this show does not.
If you or someone you know needs helps, we encourage you to explore the tools, contacts and information on 13ReasonsWhy.info.
