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Read Thread: 13 Reason Why You Shouldn't

13 Reason Why You Shouldn't
Board: Television: After the Show Ends
Jun 6, 2018 12:02am
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To explain, the following has spoilers from both season 1 and 2. So, please considered yourself warned. Nothing is spared as this show delves into serious adult-related topics. In fact, in season 2, it's like you get beaten over the head with them.

When I finished the first season of 13 Reasons Why, I was just dumbfounded. I struggled with the story line because for how smart and intelligent Hannah Baker was, she really should have known better than to go to house of a rapist. I am not saying what followed was her fault-not by any means. But I am saying I stopped buying into the story line because I personally would NEVER go to a party of a man who I saw rape a girl. I could never relate to someone who would. I just won't.

But the season continued and Hannah killed herself and poor Clay was left devastated by her death. When the final episode came to a close, I did not feel a second season was necessary. The first season did open the discussion of teenage suicide, of the rape culture, of athletes' privileges, of spoiled rich kids being treated differently, and I could go on and on.

And, naturally having stirred the fragile pot, the makers of 13 Reasons Why decided to ride on the success of the first season and launch a second season. Can you hear me sighing? Can you see my head shaking?

Season 2 is released on May 28th, an important date that was not important when they choose this date to release. But even as the horrible events in Texas unfold, Netflix continued to release 13 Reasons Why. I know it sounds like I am talking in circles, but I have a point. Please continue.

Season 2 opens with our beloved Clay involved with a girl who has mental health issues and is cutting herself. Clay, who is still struggling with his feelings for Hannah can't commit to the relationship and Skye internalizes this and she attempts to kill herself. Clay who sees all this, of course blames himself and this is just the first episode. So, from basically the first 10 minutes you are subjected to mental health issues, of adult related topics, suicide and "hallucinations".

The hallucinations are of Clay seeing and speaking to Hannah. This is how the tv show makers are able to incorporate Hannah back into the story line.

And just like the last time when each tape was about a character, the Bakers are suing the high school for their failure to save their daughter, so every episode is about who is taking the stand and again "their part". Only this time, it's their version of events--not Hannah's. Some come clean about their part, like Courtney and the councilor. Other lie to protect themselves and make Hannah look worse, like Marcus.

But season 2 is a huge mess. Season 1 had poignant points, Season 2 just seems like they are stringing out this show. And whereas Season 1 was shocking and sad, Season 2 is really pushing the shock without any value.

Of the major disappointments, it seems all the characters have fallen apart, like Clay and Jessica but one, Alex Standall is just down right rude and disrespectful. If you don’t recall, Alex was the one who shot himself in the head in the 1st season. I actually thought he died, though they did not actually say if he survived or not. He is struggling with his recovery but is just outrageously cruel and rude to everyone trying to help him.

Then there's Hannah. As we watch Clay lose it time and time again when he learned something new about Hannah, it seems that she is cruel to him about it, baiting him at times about his hurt. I am just shaking my head.

Then there are moments I am just fuming, like Bryce, the rapist, drinking wine his dad and his dad telling him to only be with girls "who are loyal". Like he's grooming Bryce. But when Bryce's mom confronts him, he gets very graphic about the truth. It's appalling.

And then there's Justin. Remember Justin? The POS who took the inappropriate picture up Hannah's dress without her knowledge in season 1, which started her downward spiral? This guy gets a happy ending. It's disgusting.

Trust me, I can go on.

Besides the characters, even some of Hannah's story seems unbelievable. Out of nowhere, they added a "summer love story" between Hannah and Zach that was never even hinted at in the 1st season. It actually makes you look around, looking for someone to tell you, "we're kidding!".

Then as if they don’t enough to write about, they actually use recent events as part of their story line. I actually shook my head in distaste.

Above all, as people share their versions, the point of hurting others and their consequences get lost. One of the first to take the stand is Tyler, the one who took pictures of Hannah and Courtney kissing. The students turn against him and you slowly but surely see his descent into a darkness that you know will lead to something terrible. Especially after he gets violently assaulted , in more ways than one, in the bathroom at school. Bringing it back to the date of May 28th, a high school shooting in Texas, this is the path that Tyler takes.

I actually have not seen all the episodes. I stopped because I wasn't sure I wanted to continue. So, I read about the episodes instead, which is how I know how it ends.

As I said before, it seems to me that this season is pointless with a lot of the graphic shock without any value. And now I see they have decided to do a 3rd season. Chances are, I won't be watching it. Granted, I didn’t come up with exactly 13 reasons why you shouldn't, I really can't think of a reason why season 3 is happening.