I'm writing this in response to general backlash that the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why is receiving, especially in recent days following the Season 2 release last Friday.
I commend the series for its candid approach to sensitive issues such as assault, suicide, and bullying. It doesn't try to romanticize anything and it shows the emotions surrounding these issues in a realistic way that a lot of young adults can relate to. This is a bold move that isn't done in a lot of shows, and I think it's a step in the right direction.
I read the book 13 Reasons Why, by Jay Asher, when I was 14 years old as a class novel study in my Grade 9 English class. In addition to reading the book, we listened to voiceovers of the tapes that are the driving force of the story. I enjoyed the novel and it encouraged thought provoking discussion in and out of class. I also remember the teacher handling the themes of the story very well.
As we finished up the book, my classmates and I felt sad with the way it ended - it is a heavy story, after all. To make ourselves feel better, we decided to write our names on pieces of paper, leave them on our desk, and go around writing compliments and caring messages on each other's sheets. This was effective in bringing positive closure to the experience and was something my friends and I came up with all on our own. Five years later, I still have my compliment sheet hanging up in my room.
This brings me to the Netflix series, which is based on the book. Because I had read the book, I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. I just want to say now that I think the actors in the show are excellent. Dylan Minnette portrays the character, Clay Jensen, exactly how I imagined him to be, and Katherine Langford, among others, play their characters in very real and convincing ways. The best way to describe the show is realistic. The rape scenes are uncomfortable to watch because they're supposed to be - as well as the scene where Hannah ends her life.
With these scenes, there were changes made from the book to the show. In the book, the rape and suicide scenes are graphic, but implied in a more subtle way. For example, in the book Hannah ends her life with pills, whereas in the show it's with blades. Compared to the show, I almost think that the book romanticizes these issues more. I didn't expect these changes watching the show, but I'm glad they were made. They bring awareness to the tragedy of Hannah's suicide, and the trauma surrounding sexual assault, especially with Jessica's character.
That being said, notice how I chose my words earlier - I said this was a show that young adults could relate to. I was almost 18 when Season 1 was released and just getting ready to graduate high school. I think the graphic content and sensitive issues are too much for someone under 15 to fully grasp in a healthy way. I had a good understanding of the issues covered in the show.
Even then, I still watched it with my mom (mostly because we were both interested in it). We were able to have open discussions about what was happening to the different characters and this was especially helpful when assault, among other issues, was a main topic in an episode. Honestly, I think this is the healthiest way to watch the series: by talking about it. Wasn't increasing awareness and starting conversations the whole point of the show?
Mary Chidiac
Prince George
