13 Reasons Why Close this dialog window Streaming Options After season one, fans of 13 Reasons Why — Netflix’s controversial drama about a teenager who commits suicide and then explains her decision posthumously through a series of recorded messages — generally fell into two camps. There were those who felt that continuing the story of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) beyond the confines of Jay Asher’s novel would diminish its power as a cautionary tale — and then there were those who loved the show (and its extraordinarily beautiful cast) and simply wanted more. Of course, it would be foolish to expect Netflix, or any network, to sacrifice a hit show in the name of narrative purity — all we can do is hope that the writers will be able to expand their characters’ worlds in way that feels authentic and entertaining rather than cynical and makeshift. Though 13 Reasons Why can sometimes be as exasperating and melodramatic as teenagers themselves, the second season nets out as a success despite some overly-instructive moments and one truly baffling storytelling device. (Important note: We will be discussing said storytelling device, which is an inconsequential spoiler, later in this review. You have been warned.) Five months after the release of Hannah’s tapes revealed an ecosystem of bullying and sexual assault at Liberty High, the Baker family’s lawsuit against the school is about to go to trial. This year, 13 Reasons trades in tapes for testimony, as each episode follows a different character’s time on the stand, sharing his or her version of the events Hannah described — including her rape by charismatic jock Bryce (Justin Prentice). Meanwhile, Clay (Dylan Minnette), still broken-hearted over Hannah’s death, is trying to move on by dating Skye (Sosie Bacon), a young woman struggling with emotional issues of her own. But Clay’s life is once again disrupted when someone starts leaving mysterious Polaroids in his locker indicating that Bryce and his buddies may have assaulted other girls. Though Hannah’s mom Olivia (Kate Walsh) and Clay both urge Jessica (Alisha Boe) to reveal that Bryce also raped her, Jessica is understandably worried that publicly acknowledging the attack will allow it to define her. The Polaroid mystery and its connection to Hannah’s trial allows 13 Reasons to expand its focus into a timely examination of sexual assault and its aftermath. Thanks to a new friendship with fellow rape survivor Nina (Samantha Logan), Jessica begins to confront the anger and shame she feels about the assault, while Bryce’s relationship with his girlfriend Chloe (Ann Winters) is the conduit for a subtle yet effective subplot about consent and partner rape. The issue of suicide and mental health is somewhat sidelined, but still receives due diligence in season 2. Alex (Miles Heizer), who shot himself in last season’s finale, grapples with the physical and emotional aftermath of his actions, while officials at Liberty High prohibit students from talking about Alex or Hannah Baker, in an effort to avoid copycat suicides. This ill-advised policy leads to a conversation in episode 9 between Clay and Principal Bolan (Steven Weber) that’s clearly meant to address criticism of the show itself: Principal Bolan: “Suicide contagion is a real thing, and we’ve got to take measures to protect you kids.” Clay: “I don’t understand — how does silence protect us?” Principal Bolan: “Kids get talking about Hannah, maybe even admiring what she did. They might think somehow that this is an answer…” Clay: “Maybe they just wanted to start a conversation.” Bolan goes on to say he doesn’t want depressed teens to think that pulling a Hannah Baker will allow them to “live on forever” after they die — but the show undermines this argument with one mystifying plotline. (Warning: We’re about to discuss that spoiler I mentioned above.) This season, Hannah is a ghost. Not a fleeting specter that haunts the peripheral vision of her living loved ones, but a walking, talking, Patrick Swayze-in-Ghost ghost. “Are you corporeal?” Clay asks, in one of many one-on-one chats he has with the apparition, which only he can see. The writers’ decision to use the device is baffling; Hannah’s presence is not needed to drive the Polaroid mystery forward, and Langford makes far more interesting appearances in flashbacks, as students share new, often-revelatory memories of Hannah during their testimony. Ghost Hannah could have derailed season 2 entirely, were it not for Minnette’s endlessly endearing performance. Clay Jensen may be the most put-upon protagonist in all of TV Land, but Minnette’s earnest style and inherent sweetness keep the character grounded and sympathetic, no matter how melodramatic the circumstances. The fact that I feel dirty praising Justin Prentice, who plays serial rapist Bryce Walker, is a testament to how excellent he is in the role. This season especially, the actor is masterful at portraying the slippery charisma of a sociopath, and his scenes with Brenda Strong (as Bryce’s aloof mother Nora) are particularly chilling. Parents on 13 Reasons Why are still generally one-dimensional — they’re overbearing, anxious to the point of neurosis, or too eager-to-please — but Kate Walsh gives another moving performance as Olivia Baker. With her red-rimmed eyes and close-cropped grief wig, Walsh brings a depth to her character’s pain, as Olivia slowly begins to accept the responsibility that she and her husband Andy (Brian d’Arcy James) bear for Hannah’s death. It almost feels punitive to tell you that gun violence also plays a role in the new episodes — how much adversity can one California high school take? — but there are enough moments of levity to make it a slightly less traumatizing binge than The Handmaid’s Tale. The show is entertainingly self-aware about its characters and their Gen Z tics. (“Is that racist? I’m not racist… Am I racist?” worries Clay during a tense conversation with Tony (Christian Navarro), who replies, “Okay, don’t go into your Clay-hole.”) The writers accurately capture the center-of-my-own-universe angst of the teen mind, and this season’s mystery delivers on twists and OMFG moments. 13 Reasons Why finishes season 2 as a show you don’t so much enjoy as endure and appreciate later — much like adolescence itself. Grade: B+ Episode Recaps 13 Reasons Why 13 Reasons Why season 4 binge recap By EW Staff 13RW_205_02332R S2 E1 Recap 13 Reasons Why season 2 binge recap By Ruth Kinane 13RW_105_02392R S1 E1 Recap 13 Reasons Why binge recap By Isabella Biedenharn<doc-sep>(CNN) — By weaving a slow-unfolding mystery throughout its grim first season, “13 Reasons Why” became a much-discussed sensation on Netflix, controversially built around sexual assault and a teenage girl’s suicide. The encore, alas, can’t replicate that appeal, detouring into courtroom drama in a manner that provides far fewer reasons to watch or binge. The original concept turned Jay Asher’s book into a brilliantly conceived format for a series, drawing on a series of audiotapes – focusing on different key characters’ role in the story – left behind by Hannah (Katherine Langford) that explained what happened. Season two picks up months later, and there’s still plenty of detail to be unraveled about Hannah’s past, as the boy with whom she bonded, Clay (Dylan Minette), continues to seek answers. Other kids, such as Jessica (Alisha Boe), grapple with their experiences, and genuine fear regarding what to say publicly about them at a school where star athlete Bryce (Justin Prentice) remains the smiling face of evil, hiding in plain view. Yet too much of the narrative shifts to the courthouse, where Hannah’s grieving mother (Kate Walsh) – the main standout among a mostly ineffectual bunch of parents – is seeking justice for her daughter, while still wrestling with regret, confusion and guilt. Those feelings are only exacerbated by some of the testimony, prompting her to wonder in a later episode, “How can you fix something if you don’t know it’s broken?” Although the cast remains strong, the show has sacrificed the momentum associated with season one’s structure. And while all the players carry scars to varying degrees, the subplots and unknowns this time – including anonymous messages and warnings designed to intimidate Clay and his allies – have ebbed in their allure. The flashbacks work notably better than the present-day material, which includes the unfortunate creative choice of having Hannah appear to Clay as what amounts to a ghostly vision. While increasing Langford’s presence is an understandable goal (she’s again terrific), it’s a tired device, one that makes the series feel more like a conventional teen soap. The first season largely avoided those pitfalls, in part by dealing so unflinchingly with the difficult subject matter. That approach also brought criticism about glamorizing teen suicide, which Netflix has addressed with disclaimers taped by the actors and information regarding a website where those who are troubled can seek help. That’s welcome, but other aspects of the drama – including the combustible mixture of high school and guns – remain problematic. The finale sums those issues up in a nutshell – distinguished by powerful moments regarding sexual assault, but simultaneously undermined by more questionable developments. Ultimately, it’s not enough to redeem these episodes or spark appetite for more. The latitude Netflix enjoys means not being locked into stock TV formulas, among them continuing to exploit shows that have exhausted their core material. The streaming service can be forgiven for wanting to sustain a popular franchise, but what made this series special has already been significantly diluted by piling more reasons upon “Reasons.” “13 Reasons Why,” Season 2 premieres May 18 on Netflix.<doc-sep>The Netflix series has been criticized for glorifying suicide, but this season has additional problems. [Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers from Season 2 of “13 Reasons Why,” including the finale.] The majority of the second season of Netflix’s teen drama “13 Reasons Why” is spent dredging up the past in order to get a better picture of why teenager Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) killed herself. Sadly, in the process, it reveals that the issues she faced – social pressures, bullying, sexual assault, and violence – are still rampant at Liberty High, perhaps even more so as the trial over her death creates divisions in the community. This leads to the season’s dramatic conclusion at the school dance that almost ends in a mass shooting. The morning that Netflix released Season 2 of “13 Reasons Why” coincided with an actual school shooting in Texas that killed 10 people. The horrifying coincidence prompted Netflix to cancel its scheduled event to celebrate the premiere, but the fact that reality had intruded upon and eclipsed the show couldn’t be ignored. This puts an extra burden — whether it’s fair or not — for the show to address these topics wisely. IndieWire examines how the show’s uneven ability to tackle these topics can lead to mixed messages. Tyler’s Tragedy In the finale, everything to do with the student Tyler (Devin Druid) is devastating, disturbing, and potentially dangerous. Earlier in the season, he had gotten a taste for revenge when he started pranking the hypocritical students who had mistreated Hannah. As a result, he was sent to a diversionary program that supposedly helped him deal with anger issues and learning how to react appropriately to others. But upon his return, he discovered the girl he liked was dating someone else, and another friend didn’t want to hang out with him anymore. Meanwhile, Monty (Timothy Granaderos) is upset that his life has been turned upside-down thanks to revelations in the trial and suspicions that he may have been harassing other students. He needs a scapegoat on whom to vent his anger, and in a harrowing sequence, Monty sexually assaults Tyler in the bathroom. The scene is far more graphic than has been depicted in any teen show before, even compared to Season 1. It is so brutal, in fact, that many viewers online have questioned if it was necessary for the scene to show as much as it did. Bent on revenge, Tyler arms himself with his many guns, including one that looks like a semiautomatic rifle, and heads to the school dance. Alerted of Tyler’s intentions by a text, Clay (Dylan Minnette) insists that nobody call the police and instead devises a plan. He confronts Tyler in the parking lot, talks him down, and then even offers him a getaway car, courtesy of Tony (Christian Navarro). Season 2 ends there. The Danger of That Ending As with Hannah’s suicide, the messaging here is muddled in many ways. We’ve broken it down to acknowledge the merit of the show’s intentions, but also how the execution either falls short or could convey a different message entirely. What’s commendable: Highlighting that sexual assault can happen to anyone, not just young girls, and that it’s not about sex or attraction. What’s problematic: This scene is overshadowed by the outcry that it’s far too violent and graphic for viewers. The show may have wanted to be as blunt and forthcoming as possible, but it ends up being far more off-putting than effective in starting a conversation. What’s commendable: Depicting how Tyler gamely made attempts to handle his emotions despite numerous disappointments and unfair treatment but was only tipped over the edge by his rape. What’s problematic: Although Tyler ultimately did not pull the trigger, he is a fictional character that was mistreated horribly in order to be given a motivation for his extreme actions. Sadly, as the recent Sante Fe, Texas shootings have revealed, far less provocation is needed for someone who is ready to lash out. It also perpetuates the myth that people who are bullied are the ones doing the shooting, when it’s shown in the Santa Fe case and many others that shooters are often the aggressors. Furthermore, in the effort to try to understand a situation that is so senseless, the idea that learning more about the killer will yield answers, unfortunately, makes them into minor media celebrities. What’s commendable: Highlighting how easily this can happen anywhere. What’s problematic: Highlighting how easily this can happen anywhere. The fact that school or public shootings occur with such frequency in the United States is both horrifying and depressing. What’s even more sobering is that many people have become desensitized to it. The usual debates about gun control pop up, but nothing is done. In contrast, we learn more and more about the killers’ methodologies, and although copycat crimes haven’t been a proven result, frequent coverage of these crimes don’t seem to deter shooters either. What’s commendable: Showing that Clay was able to connect with Tyler and reason with him before it was too late. What’s problematic: Only law enforcement and crisis negotiators are trained to deal with shooters whose fingers are on the trigger, but the series makes a point to show that Clay does not want the police involved. The time to have talked to Tyler would have been before he had an arsenal prepped, but the show instead went for dramatic appeal. While it showcased Minnette’s heartbreaking performance, this feels like a very risky image to plant in kids’ minds as to how to deal with this situation. In an interview with IndieWire, executive producer Joy Gorman Wettels said, “Nobody should stand in the way of somebody with a gun. That’s not the safe way to stop violence from occurring. It’s not something that we’re telling kids to do, stand in front of somebody who has a gun. You need to reach out to law enforcement or alert someone else.” What’s commendable: Having the courage to bring up storylines like Tyler’s rape and the potential school shooting. What’s problematic: Making this deadly event a setup for a cliffhanger ending treats it as a storytelling device, instead of treating it responsibly. “Here’s one of the biggest, most frightening things plaguing the nation today. Stay tuned for Season 3 to find out what happens next.” The sad truth is that if the show returns, many more shootings will have occurred by then. Instead, the show could have introduced this story much earlier on in the season, and then shown Clay or someone else reading the warning signs in Tyler — or even Monty — before it got to that point. The remaining episodes could actually deal with the situation. Of course, that may not have been as dramatic, and that’s a problem the show has been grappling with since the start. Given that suicide, sexual assault, and mass shootings are so prevalent and that the layperson has become more familiar with the conversation surrounding these topics, a show simply can’t treat them as plot devices or for their entertainment value. While the initial premise may have dealt with the aftermath of Hannah’s suicide, the show has been off book this season, and therefore must start to lead instead of running to catch up with its troubled characters. ”13 Reasons Why” Seasons 2 is available to stream on Netflix. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Sign up for our Email Newsletters here.<doc-sep>
Dylan Minnette and Katherine Langford in a still from the second season of 13 Reasons Why. Dylan Minnette and Katherine Langford in a still from the second season of 13 Reasons Why. It’s been a year since the first season of teen suicide drama 13 Reasons Why debuted on Netflix. Based on Jay Asher’s novel, 13 Reasons Why never shied away from portraying the difficult themes of bullying, sexual assault and suicide and was unsurprisingly met with huge controversy upon its release. But despite a what-can-be-called a conclusive ending to the first season, a sequel has been ordered by the streaming giant. The first season of 13 Reasons Why tells the harrowing tale of Hannah Baker’s suicide through a series of tapes she left for her classmates explaining 13 reasons why she killed herself. Set five or six months after the first, the second season deals with the aftermath of these tapes as they are distributed in the community. Also as Hannah’s mother, Olivia Baker (Kate Walsh, in a heartbreaking performance), takes the high school’s administration to court alleging how their carelessness ultimately led to her daughter’s suicide, everyone Hannah implicated before she died is called to the stand. The students’ testimony, kind of, provides this season the narrative structure. Dylan Minnette as Clay Jensen in a still from 13 Reasons Why. Dylan Minnette as Clay Jensen in a still from 13 Reasons Why. While the structure works in parts, the process makes the viewers retread the path to Hannah’s suicide yet again. And after Hannah’s 13 hours of tape in the previous season, the season’s efforts to make the audience believe that everything was going on simultaneously is frivolous in the least. For example, there is an abrupt introduction of a romantic relationship between Zach and Hannah, which was never even hinted at in the first season. To top it off, Hannah’s ghost has begun appearing to Clay and while that seems entirely out of place in a gritty series like this, it also seems to be a very cheap stunt at giving Katherine Langford more screen presence in this season. 13 Reasons Why had received a lot of backlash for its controversial portrayal of topics like teen suicide and sexual assault. While the second season swears to be more aware of its sensitive material this time, complete with disclaimers by the cast before and after each episode, the second season feels no less exploitative. It is not one for the weak-hearted, so to speak. And in an attempt to be more conscious of its content, the second season meanders its plot glaringly. The obvious change can be seen in the school counsellor Kevin Porter’s character but while that is reasonably build into the narrative, the kind of support Clay’s parents show is not something that has been seen before. Jessica, despite a gripping performance by Alisha Boe, tests our patience a number of times with her denial to go to court against Bryce Walker. Katherina Langford and Ross Butler as Hannah Baker and Zach Dempsey in a scene from 13 Reasons Why. Katherina Langford and Ross Butler as Hannah Baker and Zach Dempsey in a scene from 13 Reasons Why. That being said, 13 Reasons Why can also be great at times. It takes teenage issues like bullying, sexual assault, stalking and others way more seriously than other shows do. When it comes to gender dynamics, 13 Reasons Why is especially conscious. It talks about varying degrees of assault and how the world is different for people not just based on their gender, but also on their class and their presence in the social hierarchy of the school. Most of the characters have been well-sketched and given ample thought. Be it Courtney being gay, Alex losing his erections or Tyler’s premature ejaculations, conversations are brought in a very matter of fact way. Hannah Baker and Clay Jensen in a still from 13 Reasons Why. Hannah Baker and Clay Jensen in a still from 13 Reasons Why. The story of grief underlying all the episodes is also strikingly visible. Hannah is all but a memory now, poignantly portrayed in a scene where her ghost’s mouth opens but her words are stuck like a cassette tape. Life goes on but the show communicates how Hannah’s suicide has left everyone she knew damaged in some sense. Another scene that stands out is the church sequence where Clay finally learns how to let go of this very memory.