Stars: 1/5
Despite backlash and controversy, Netflix released season two of “13 Reasons Why” on May 18. The Netflix original revolves around Hannah Baker, a 17-year-old who commits suicide and leaves behind cassette tapes to explain why she did it.
The series is based off the best-selling novel of the same title. However, season one ends where the book ends, leaving the content of season two entirely in the hands of the show’s writers.
The first season of the show received constant criticism — and for good reason. It glorifies suicide and portrays it as a way to get back at someone. The show was even blamed for causing “suicide contagion,” or copycat suicides.
Season two isn’t very different. The central plot revolves around the lawsuit Baker’s mother files against the high school for negligence. Through testimonies given by students, we see there were more sides to the stories Baker told us in season one.
Another plot closely follows Clay Jensen, who’s still pining over Baker. In season two, he keeps seeing her ghost, which waters down the plot and adds unanswered questions. It’s hard to tell the writer’s intentions for making him see her ghost.
This season contains equally, if not more, disturbing scenes than its predecessor. Many people have taken to Twitter to warn viewers of a particular scene in episode 13. It shows an extremely graphic rape scene, which personally made me sick to my stomach.
The second season opens with an advisory warning delivered by the show’s main stars. They warn viewers the series deals with sensitive subjects such as sexual assault, substance abuse, suicide and more. They even state if you’re struggling with these issues, then you shouldn’t watch the show at all.
“By shedding a light on these difficult topics, we hope our show can help viewers start a conversation,” said Katherine Langford, who plays Baker, in the warning.
Although it’s important to have a conversation about mental illnesses, the show went about it in the wrong way. You’d think after the criticism the show received last season, they would consider not doing a second season or at least try to take a different angle, but they didn’t.
Since the show’s release, multiple mental health professionals and agencies have expressed their concern about the series. The International Association for Suicide Prevention released a briefing in which they explained the risks and negative impacts the show has on teenagers. IASP states the media should steer away from melodramatic depictions of suicide and its aftermath. By seeing Baker memorialized after death by her peers and getting the attention of her love interest, vulnerable teenagers will think that’s what they’ll get if they commit suicide.
The show advises people who struggle with mental illnesses to not watch, but I advise people in general to not watch. Once again, “13 Reasons Why” completely missed the mark, and although it’s starting a conversation, it’s not starting the right conversation.