My Thoughts on 13 Reasons Why (Season 2)

13 Reasons Why is probably the most anticipated series of 2018 after it's controversial release last year, though the first season's climactic portrayal of suicide had me flinching and grabbing my wrists, the second season doesn't show anyone explicitly dying and yet it's equivalent scene was terrifying to watch. Overall the second season while I think that sure, it was captivating enough to watch, it's existence isn't necessary at all but is for the people who have been wanting the second season after watching the first.

Spoilers ahead!

The show starts off 5 months after Hannah Baker's suicide with Olivia Baker filing a lawsuit against Liberty High School for not doing anything to help her daughter with each episode being a testimony of character(s) who sort of pseudo-narrates the episode and through the trial itself, we learn even more about Hannah and each individual character.

Clay Jensen is dating Skye Miller and appears to be over Hannah until he is told that the trial is finally happening which reopens some wounds as he starts seeing Hannah while making out with Skye. Hannah then appears as an actual entity and even has a very fictitious conversation that questions Clay's mental stability.

Alex Standall, after his initial suicide attempts, survives with physical and mental disabilities, needing to walk around a cane and possessing no memory whatsoever prior to listening to the tapes from season one return to school alongside Jessica Davis who seems still be struggling to cope with the aftermath of her rape.

Tyler Down, still the castaway of the group, manages to find a friend who both have a suspenseful and actually terrifying friendship as both of them slowly explore the fun in causing trouble which slowly evolves into a frightening obsession over "breaking the system".

Justin Foley is now a heroin addict who takes refuge in Clay's home accompanied by Tony Padilla  who is on probation and Sheri Holland who returns after spending time in a detention center.

Zach Dempsey is stuck on two fences, still hanging around Bryce Walker but still helping Alex with his physical rehabilitation. Ryan Shaved and Courtney Crimson are still in school and Marcus Cole is in Harvard.

And finally, Bryce Walker, walking unscathed with his goon squad, Montgomery de la Cruz and Scott Reed still dictate the school in your typical athletes rule the school fashion.

I hope this summary was short enough as I've found it to be rather lengthy for my previous posts.

The truth about season two is that it is completely unnecessary is telling the story of Hannah Baker. While it does flush out the characters and give you insight on things that completely was absent in the previous season, it doesn't hold it's on as a good story by itself. The storytelling of the entire season was fractured purely because it didn't have a frame to go along with it, I found myself struggling to tell what was real or not and still completely boggled at the drama (which I thoroughly enjoyed honestly), but that's not the reason that the show is advocating for. It becomes an exaggeration of teenage drama which sometimes is brutal to watch but often comes off as shock value.

The significance of the violence in the show is questionable but I figured that the director put it there to make a statement like in any other forms of media, whether we needed to see the actual bloody end of the mop that Tyler had been raped with is again, debatable. But I cannot argue against that gut wrenching feeling that my innards are not and will never be comfortable, which in my opinion highlights the actual viciousness and cruelty of what happened. I don't really know what impact on the audience it had but for me, sure it was disgusting to watch but I can appreciate the extreme detail that had to evoke this egregious hatred towards Montgomery.

The ending of the show was butt-clenching to watch with Tyler threatening to shoot down the school, only to be talked down by Clay. After what Montgomery did, I can somewhat relate to his vengeance and truthfully speaking I would've liked to see how it would've played out if his plan actually went through. Curiosity kills the cat but satisfaction brought it back right?

The symbolism of gun and how it bargains for power is really significant in a world like today and it was really intriguing to watch as characters start to pull out a gun against one another after suffering at the hands of bullies.

The story of Hannah Baker suddenly turns into revenge and her impact post death on these characters is truly haunting, though ghost Hannah protests that she never meant for anyone to get hurt and only wanted to tell her story. This again is confusing because we never really know if it is a supernatural being that is Hannah or simply Clay's version of Hannah as a manifestation.

One thing I loved was the #MeToo moment they had in the court when Jessica was testifying against Bryce, that one where the women of the show come on the stand to speak out on their harassment was definitely powerful and had a really really good touch in it. Kudos to them for that.

I'm also grateful for the warnings and resources that they have left for the viewers that may be affected after watching the show.

Generally I think the show's ending doesn't justify the means but you still take a roller-coaster for the thrill right?

Anyway on to the discussion. Zach and Hannah had a sexual relationship that lasted throughout summer what? I don't really understand what they were trying to go for here. And somehow there was no mention of it in the previous season which could have been Hannah protecting Zach but it truly did her character no justice and this relationship undermines Clay (who is very salty) and Hannah's relationship. Also Alex getting his sexuality rewired after getting shot in the head? I don't know the practicality of it but I guess it could happen?

The interactions between characters are rather melodramatic as they all seem to fight one moment and kiss the next and we literally find out that Hannah has practically a close relationship with everyone in the tapes which we never really knew? The episodes definitely give more depth to the characters but the story becomes diluted because Hannah really wasn't the person that we learnt on the tapes. Also Hannah being a very unhelpful ghost that talks to Clay in the most infuriating manner is very distasteful. I've grown to dislike Clay over the course of this season because he doesn't know shit at all and just seems to complicate things without thinking about anyone else (e.g. releasing the tapes publicly).

The dialogue is really cringe to hear at first with statements like "The truth will set you free, only if you let it." or "People hear what they want to hear." (not a direct quote!). But there are good lines weaved in between, one that I really held close was "I can love you but still let you go." Which came from Skye and Clay breaking up as Skye had to take a personal off on her own to get better by herself which I think is a true sentiment that we could learn, that we have to take care of ourselves, even if it means away from someone who cares for you the most.

But the turmoil of the dialogue is really present when you consider the ending, about having to move on but never really being able to escape our demons. With Bryce only getting a 3 month probation and Justin actually getting 6 months, that really puts a sour taste in my mouth and I'm not really sure what that message spreads. Though it reflects current society, is a fictional world subjected to something that feels like a lost cause? I probably would've like to see Bryce's ever so punchable face get what he deserves but it just becomes a rather cold and unsatisfying ending.

13 Reasons Why has bitten off more than it can chew but I wouldn't fault it in addressing something so rarely spoken and controversial. Wait, actually yes I can, because that defeats the whole purpose of addressing something so controversial in the first place. There needs to be a finer and more intricate purpose of the show which I failed to see purely because it wasn't done well enough. The significance of this show is to supposedly raise awareness on issues like mental health but all it has done was give me a drama story about mental health and suicide. And while I'm fine with watching a show like this, I'm not confident enough to speak for others for it truly may not be something that a person struggling with these issues would want to watch. Though some of it was done really well, most of it was a bland exaggeration and it becomes overplayed. I frankly have no issues with it, but I can see why most people would.

The show does mean good though, it doesn't want people to suffer in violence. The whole season revolves around people coming to terms with themselves and it was warming to see everyone support each other in the finale.

It's important that we realize that this show isn't perfect at all and it, at the bare minimum, is trying to raise awareness on these issues which does not reflect accurately of what these issues are. If you are struggling with these issues, it really does get easier after talking to someone you trust. You can visit their website https://13reasonswhy.info/  if you feel like you need someone to talk to after watching the show.