13 Reasons Why is a Netflix original series released at the end of March that follows high school student Hannah Baker, who prior to the show, has committed suicide. In the wake of her death she leaves behind a set of 13 cassette tapes each addressing a person who she believed aided in the cause of her death.
I watched episodes one through ten in a fever induced stupor on my couch. Maybe if I would had been in full mental coherence I would have turned it off. It took me another two weeks to watch the last two episodes. I’d tell you it was because I got busy, but I was avoiding them. The last two episodes bring you right up to Hannah’s death and this isn’t a show that turns the camera away and I didn’t want to look anymore.
Two years ago, I lost an aunt to suicide. She wasn’t some distant relative, we went out to lunch, and got our nails done, and went Christmas shopping together. The day I got that call remains the darkest, bleakest day of my life. I can tell you, Hannah Baker didn’t need to leave those tapes behind. Everyone on them would have already held on to their own version of blame.
The show is currently enduring a backlash from those who feel like it romanticizes suicide or is too graphic for a young audience (the assumed demographic for the show). I understand and appreciate that perspective. For the sake of artistry, they have to make suicide sentimental, otherwise you as the viewer wouldn’t be interested. They show things like rape, drug use, and yes suicide, in a graphic and unapologetic manner and itsucks to watch.
Did this show handle these severely sensitive issues flawlessly? No. Did they approach it with the gravity and sensitivity it required? I don’t know, though I know they didn’t handle it lightly either. Did they take great risk to get us talking about something that needed to be talked about? Absolutely, yes.
As someone who has gone through that loss and as someone in the film industry, I’m so glad they took the risk. Love it or hate it, they’ve started a dialog. 13 Reasons Why holds a lens right up to a topic that we so often scuttle away from. They took entertainment and directed it toward an impossibly difficult subject. They made art.
Would I recommend 13 Reasons Why? I don’t know. I suppose it would depend on the person. But I can say with unwavering support: I’m glad it was made. I’m glad they took the risk. I’m glad we’re talking about it. All because someone picked up a camera.
