“13 Reasons Why” is a Netflix Original Series based off of the novel written by Jay Asher.
The series is about a high school student, Clay Jensen, played by Dylan Minnette, seeking to find out why his fellow classmate, Hannah Baker, played by Kathrine Langford, ended her lie after receiving a box of 13 tapes.
Each of these tapes reveals the people in her life and their actions that caused her to commit suicide.
The famous actress and singer, Selena Gomez, is one of the executive producers of the show after buying the rights to the book many years ago with her mom Mandy Teefy. Alongside the pop star was creator Brian Yorkey and Oscar-winner Tom McCarthy who also had the rights to the book. Their up-and-coming cast included Christian Navarro, Justin Prentice, Alisha Boe, Miles Heizer, Brandon Flynn, Ross Butler, Devin Druid and Michele Selene Ang. The cast also included veteran actors Kate Walsh, Steven Weber and Derek Luke.
The series is unlike any other shows that depict teenagers in today’s society by including scenes dealing with drugs, alcohol, rape, assault, bullying and suicide.
While watching the show you feel as if you are a part of the journey of listening to the tapes while Clay is trying to figure out why he is one of the people on them. During the show, you see through Hannah’s perspective of what happened to her and the reasons she explains what led her decision.
Hannah’s parents were left devastated and uncertain why their daughter committed suicide since she did not leave a note for them and are left trying to figure out what was actually going on in their daughter’s life. They are filing a lawsuit against her high school, which leaves each person on those tapes worried they will get in trouble so they try to protect each other and those who are on the tapes from being charged.
Clay follows through with the rules that he is given but while listening to each person’s tape he confronts them on what they did. He wants to make sure Hannah’s voice is heard since no one did anything for her while she was still alive including the people that were supposed to help her the most. The show includes graphic scenes of what really goes on and is eye-opening that this is a realistic topic that is happening every day to teenagers.
“I liked most about the show is that it showed viewers that any type of bullying can have serious repercussions,” sophomore Marketing major, Katie Kucia said. “You never know what someone is going through in their life.”
The show has received some backlash for its graphic scenes but is sending out an important message that everyone should take seriously.
Although the show is raising awareness on a current issue that is going on in today’s society, many mental health experts warn those of the shows “triggering” effects and advises those who are depressed or have had suicidal thoughts to not watch the show.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
