"13 Reasons Why," a Netflix original series adapted from the novel of the same name by Jay Asher, tells the story and the aftermath of high schooler Hannah Baker's tragic suicide. After reading the book more than five years ago, I was curious how the show was going to turn out. I, like many others, was equally horrified and mystified while binge-watching the first season. Following its streaming availability, a storm of controversy arose about the show. After becoming aware of the many things wrong with the show, I watched the second season anyway, with incredibly low hopes. Now, I feel compelled to share the many flaws I found within the show.

Without even watching it, it's quite easy to tell that the show glorifies suicide. Yes, the producers had good intentions when creating the show and strived to start a conversation about suicide; however, the end result was a show that seemed to present suicide as a viable option for running away from one's problems. There was no discussion about ways to get help and no discussion about mental health. The show also carelessly depicted the graphic details of Hannah's suicide; showing exactly how she ultimately killed herself.

When I say the show had no discussion about Hannah's mental health, I mean there was no discussion about her mental health. However, Hannah shows signs of depression and the audience is led to believe she is depressed. Although, this proves to be a double-edged sword, as the show's depiction of "depression" leads the viewer to believe that depression causes someone to overreact and be dramatic over the smallest inconveniences. Overall, the show misrepresents those who suffer from mental illness.

Hannah also happens to be one of the most unlikeable characters I have ever witnessed on a TV show. She's irrational, annoying, and acts like everything is about her. She constantly plays the victim and pretends like she's the only person on Earth who has struggles. She even goes as far as to make 13 tapes for each person who wronged her while she was alive and how they led to her death in order to get revenge.

Hannah's character isn't the only unlikeable character, however. In fact, I can't think of one character from the show I genuinely like, except Alex in season two, Tony, Jeff from the first season, or Justin, after he becomes a changed person in season two. Granted, the characters are well-developed, but they're all spoiled, whiny, and get everything handed to them, except for a few.

Perhaps my biggest qualm with the show is its graphic depictions of rape and suicide. In season 1, Bryce Walker's rapes of Jessica Davis and Hannah Baker are shown all the way through. Hannah's suicide, also in season one, is shown in horrifying, gory detail from beginning to end, as well as Hannah's mother finding her.

In the show's second season, the sexual assaults from season one are shown numerous times in flashbacks. Also, Bryce is shown raping his girlfriend, Chloe, and is involved in a sexual assault "ring," of sorts. Finally, in the penultimate episode of season two, baseball player and friend of Bryce's, Montgomery, brutally sodomizes Tyler Down with the end of a mop handle.

Despite its countless shortcomings, "13 Reasons Why" redeems itself in its efforts to empower survivors of sexual assault. A major theme of the second season is sexual assault survivors owning their own stories and choosing how, when, or if they want to share them, despite backlash from many male characters. The show also discusses victim-blaming within rape culture and the fact that women are never to blame. In one of the final scenes of season two, Jessica Davis, as well as most other female characters from the show, describe their personal experiences with sexual assault in a powerful montage reflective of the #MeToo movement.

At the end of the day, "13 Reasons Why" is immensely problematic and triggering. The show lacks important trigger warnings and content warnings, so if you are someone struggling with suicidal thoughts or depression, please avoid watching it. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or use their online chat service. For other resources, visit https://afsp.org/find-support/resources/.