The breakout Netflix series "13 Reasons Why," based on the young adult novel of the same name, has taken over mainstream media. The show was an immediate success following the release of its first season in March of last year. The first season prompted viewers to consider intense social subjects including rape, victim shaming, suicide, and the simple everyday treatment of one another.
"13 Reasons Why" has received criticism by some viewers who felt the show romanticized suicide and depicted too graphic of scenes, especially those of sexual assault and rape. However, others applaud the show for unveiling the true ugliness of a suicide, as shown when Hannah Baker takes her own life by slitting her wrists and bleeding to death in her bathtub, as well as the intensity of rape that left many viewers feeling ill.
Because the show tackles topics that many find too uncomfortable to discuss, it shouldn't be forgotten and its efforts to spotlight issues such as consent and self-harm, its meaningful and teaching lines should be carried into conversations and utilized in future thought processes when handling any of these heavy subjects.
Here are 13 lines from the show that everyone should remember long after finishing "13 Reasons Why" :
1. "Welcome to your tape."
Hannah Baker recorded 13 tapes explaining her decision to take her own life and detailing what led her there. She even recorded her interaction with Mr. Porter after telling him she was raped.
Elite Daily
Hannah began each of the tapes with recognition of the focus of the given tape and then said "welcome to your tape." These words should be remembered because they are what started each of her stories that led to the end result, which we know is Hannah committing suicide. "Welcome to your tape," should remind viewers of how heavy our actions and words can be in someone else's life.
2. "Protocol Probably Needs to Change"
Hannah met with Mr. Porter on the day she died, hoping to receive help of kind after she had been raped
When testifying in the lawsuit of the Bakers vs. Liberty High, Mr. Porter, the school counselor breaks down about his involvement in Hannah's disheartening path to suicide. He speaks to the court saying "I was following protocol. Protocol probably needs to change. But more importantly, Kevin Porter needs to change."
This is reflective of the needed change within society when talking about sexual assault and the preconceived practices when a victim comes forward that have led many to the same feelings of hopelessness and shame that Hannah felt after discussing the night she was raped.
3. "Today I am wearing lacy black underwear for the sole purpose of knowing I'm wearing them."
Hannah's poem is stolen from her and published anonymously. When it is read in class and reveals themes of suicide, her peers make fun of it and her teacher misses the opportunity to hold what could have been a life-saving conversation
Several times throughout the show Hannah is slut-shamed because of rumors and an objectifying list made by her former friend Alex Standall. This prompted Hannah to write a poem where she talks of her lacy black underwear just being something she wears for herself, and not any of the sexual reasons that many would conjure.
4. "That's how it is for girls. People judge you by the way you look, the things they hear about you."
Jessica Davis shares images of her that were posted in her classroom
Jessica tells the court room when testifying of the hardships of being a girl in high school. She says boys get to define themselves, be who they want to be, but if you're a girl "they put a label on you."
5. "You can't know rumors."
Justin takes an up-skirt picture of Hannah and sends it around the school, creating the first of the many rumors about her
Hannah tells Clay, "You can't know rumors. You can hear them, but you can't know them."
6. "I think I'm losing my shit."
Skye reminds Clay that it's okay to not be okay
7. "Why didn't you say this to me when I was alive?"
Clay's alternative scenario scene reminds viewers to take their chance to help someone because it could save their life.
8. "Some of you care. None of you cared enough."
9. "It has to get better."
Clay refuses to accept the idea that Hannah's suicide was her own decision and there was nothing anyone could've done.
10. "I hope that wherever you go next, you feel peace [and] you feel safe in a way you never did here."
In season two, Clay attends Hannah's memorial service, where he finally gets closure on her death.
