|Opinions| Why '13 Reasons Why' was Just Another Sh*t Show

Okay hello everyone! Before we start, let’s get something straight. If you’re offended by my opinion/discussion posts, then you can get out of here. Just because you’re offended doesn't mean you’re right. This is a big topic I’m voicing on so if you don’t want to see your favorite show get dragged, then leave.

So besides that, let's start.

'13 Reasons Why' is a loved show by many. Good rating, praised by social media because it “talks about a sensitive subject”. But is it really a great show or is it just another entertainment object out there? Here’s a list of why this show is sorta crappy.

It romanticizes suicide.
You might think that the scene in which Hannah Baker slits her wrist is good because it 'adresses' the suicide. Well, it's not. For those who read the book you would remember that Hannah is written to take pills, not slitting her wrist. For me right there, I feel like Netflix just had suicide on the table and felt like they could do whatever they want, as long as it depicted suicide.

Just think about it, social media wouldn't be as hyped up if the scene had Hannah take pills instead.

Doesn't address mental illness.
So this one's a biggie. The main reason why most people commit suicide is because they are mentally sick. Look, suicide is caused by depression and depression is a mental illness. Instead of addressing mental illness, they replace it with the 'I didn't love her enough to save her' card. Like no, most suicide victims did not kill themselves just because they want someone else's affection. If you’re going to make the suicide scene huge, then make sure talking about mental health equally as big.

Rape.
You might be thinking, "rape is a real thing and it's a good thing that Netflix decided to bring it up." Yes, rape is a real thing, but the fact that Hannah saw a fellow classmate get raped and didn't say anything makes her equally responsible. Hannah maybe in shock and didn't say anything because of that reason is understood. But this brings a sense to veiwers that if they raped, nothing will happen. She even had the nerve to go to Bryce’s house even when she knew he was a rapist.

Hannah Baker's suicide overall.
Hannah's suicide is more of revenge. A person who committed suicide will usually leave a note explaining why they did what they did, but Hannah made tapes like it was a damn game. A person with that type of commitment needs is doing it out of spite.

Let's not forget that one suicide victim that copied 13RW.
I was horrified when this happened, but not surpised. People on social media were bashing the victim all over just because they didn't want their favorite show to get canceled or exposed. Well sorry boo, you don't get to decide whether something is harmful to people who are actually depressed.

Mostly, people were saying that it was their fault why the person took their own life and that it was their choice, not anyone else's. But aren't you watching 13RW because you want to see who made Hannah commit suicide? Basically, you say that it was the person's fault for their suicide but yet watch a show based on a girl who blamed others for her’s.

You may be wondering, "If the show is so bad then hate on the book because it was there first."
That's a yes, and also a big no. It's true that the book was there before, but it wasn't promoted in a big way. It was acclaimed, but just like all the other things that are acclaimed, it fades away. But with the show, it had the help of two well-known things: Selena Gomez and Netflix. With that show being promoted everywhere, it's going to attract a ton of people, which most are young people and are at a vulnerable stage in life.

The show's perspective overall.
In the book, it was focused on Clay handling Hannah's death. In the show, it is clearly shown that Hannah is there reacting to the aftermath of her death. Why is this important? It's important because it makes it seem like suicide is the only way for people to see how poorly they treated you.

My conclusion.

The show overall was trying to give out a message, but failed. It was more of entertainment than actually addressing suicide and depression. I know people who have had depression for a long time, and even they think it was slightly offensive to see the message of mental illness being ignored. At the end of the day, no opinion is right or wrong, but the details that back up each one could be. You may disagree and that’s totally okay, life moves on.

As always,

-Rhild Rhants