Thirteen Reasons Why: a name that we have all come across at some point, whether it was back in 2007 when the novel by Jay Asher was released, or just this week when it was released as a Netflix original series. If you’ve invested even a small portion your time into Thirteen Reasons Why, then you know exactly why it succeeds in delivering the message it seeks to convey. So why is "Thirteen Reasons Why" such an eye opener for not only teenagers and young adults, but people of all age groups? Here are thirteen reasons why Thirteen Reasons Why is such an important story, and deserves to be told.
1. Powerful cast.
Katherine Langford was able to do the character of Hannah Baker complete justice. She delivered such a strong performance in the show and was able to give the character of Hannah a whole new layer. Dylan Minnette also adopts the character of Clay really well.
2. Successful adaptation.
The story remains true to the original book, and there are no strong inconsistencies between the two. The characters remain consistent to the originals, which is why you know exactly what to expect.
3. Relatable story.
Whether we want to admit it to ourselves or not, the mistakes we have made have caused problems in the lives of other people. Thirteen Reasons Why shows us just the impact that our words and actions can have on the lives of others.
4. It’ll break your heart.
Hannah Baker is a seventeen-year-old girl who commits suicide. For viewers of Thirteen Reasons Why, the ability to see Hannah Baker have the life drained out of her a little more after each traumatic or impactful experience also allows them to feel the pain that Hannah feels. In fact, Hannah is not the only character whose pain is displayed.
5. Quick watch, perfect for a binge.
Thirteen reasons means thirteen episodes, and thirteen episodes means a quick binge! If you’ve mastered the art of binging like I have, you should be able to get through the show in one viewing on your day off.
6. The high schoolers actually look like high schoolers!
The characters of the show are high schoolers, and guess what! They actually look like high schoolers! Clay gets around on a bike throughout the whole show, and the character’s outfits include everyday hoodies, jeans, and work uniforms. It allows the story to feel more real for viewers.
7. The show makes you rethink your own choices.
Thirteen Reasons Why forces viewers to rethink their own past and present behaviors. It reminds people to be thoughtful with their words and especially their actions. Those who haven’t been aware of their impact before are made aware of it through their viewing of the show.
8. The changes from the book only make the story better.
The show’s portrayal of Clay and Hannah’s relationship just further enhances the impact of Hannah’s death on Clay. The regret and the unresolved feelings that Clay struggles with are heightened by the relationship that he and Hannah share in the show, as opposed to the book. The show also pays more attention to the lives of the people Hannah dedicates her tapes to, giving their characters more depth.
9. The story tackles an important social issue.
Bullying. Suicide. Rape. Stalking. Sexuality. So many important social issues are covered within the scope of this short thirteen-episode series, and so much is learned about these issues through the events that take place in the show.
10. It accurately depicts the aftermath of tragic events.
Death isn’t always the end of the story. Sometimes it’s just the beginning. Thirteen Reasons Why dives into the aftermath of Hannah Baker’s death; it shows the lives of her parents and the problems that take root in their relationship due to their grief, the lives of her friends and loved ones who feel her absence, and more importantly, the lives of the people that she blames for her suicide.
11. It reveals the impact of social stigma.
The show accurately demonstrates a victim’s reality after a rape or sexual assault. The victim shaming that is shown in the series is relative to what happens in real life, where victims are blamed and questioned for the experiences they are forced to endure. What were you wearing? What did you do to provoke such an assault? But like Hannah Baker said, how can you blame someone for something that happens to them when they’re unconscious?
12. Teenagers aren’t the only ones to blame.
The events that lead to Hannah’s suicide aren’t all simply caused by “kids being kids.” It was not simply teenagers engaging in cruel behavior that is common during high school. Adults are also held accountable for their mistakes.
13. It changes the nature of all your future relationships.
After watching "Thirteen Reasons Why" you become more conscious of your interactions with other people. You learn to look for warning signs, and you begin to detect signs that the people around you are in need of help.
