Better Than The Book
A few years ago I read the book, Thirteen Reasons Why. So when I had some free time I watched the Netflix series. I didn’t intend to get through all thirteen episodes in less than three days, but I got hooked.
On the most basic level, this is an excellent show. It has good acting, an incredible storyline and the cinematography is amazing. Even in small details, like the contrast between the bright, rosy lighting in flashbacks and blue, dark in present day scenes, it reveals itself to be a well-produced and thought out series. Furthermore, the representation and diversity of the cast is so much better than most. Did someone say LGBTQ+ characters whose storyline isn’t focused on the sole fact of their sexuality and POC with plenty of screen time? Yes.
It goes without saying the biggest topic tackled in this show is suicide. The purpose of this show is to demonstrate that you never know what is going to affect someone, something that you might brush off as banter could ruin their life. Based in a high school, I’m sure we can all relate to something feeling like the end of the world when you’re young. Criticism of the show might cite some of the reasons as not ‘significant’ enough to commit suicide about, but when you’re in high school your reputation and popularity feels like your whole life. Stuck in the same building where everyone knows your business it’s impossible to see a way out, just as Hannah felt.
Whilst obviously Hannah’s depression and suicide are expressed, other characters suffer from issues too, from self-harm, substance abuse and panic attacks. The protagonist Clay suffers bad anxiety, and it was refreshing to see mental health problems represented as not just something white girls experience, but all genders. A particular plus of this show is that none of the mental health problems were glamourized, there’s no trope of the manic pixie dream girl here. No one with mental health issues is ‘saved’ by falling in love or other shitty clichés that all too often get pedaled out in popular culture.
Continuing on, there’s certainly no possibility of glamourizing suicide here. The performances from Hannah’s parents alone, struggling to cope and falling apart is evidence enough that there will always be people left behind whose lives will never be the same again. They’re left searching for answers they might never find, and although who’s to blame is up for debate there’s certainly enough people in this show left to live with guilt and hurt. It’s also evident Hannah was a bright girl with a future ahead of her, her suicide feels like a waste.
The show doesn’t shy away from anything really, and without giving away spoilers it’s difficult to watch at times. Issues around consent and rape culture is prevalent in today’s society, and the depiction of these was incredibly real. It’s important to give these issues the appropriate space needed in popular culture, not everyone is going to go out there an actively educate themselves but they can definitely watch a Netflix show. If that show is pushing them to think about sexual violence and victim blaming, it can only be a good thing. Coupled with the feature afterwards with producers and writers of the show, explaining the decisions they made and why they feel that’s important this show is giving air time to too many problems that are pushed under the rug and made taboo in today’s society.
Again, no spoilers, but the ending of the show certainly sets itself up for a second season and in all honesty I really hope they make one. Not just because I’m just a massive fan but I think this show has the potential to explore some very difficult and sensitive issues in a superb way, and we need more of that on TV.
- Alex Bach
