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TV Show Review - 13 Reasons Why

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13 Reasons Why is a series based on the novel with the same name by Jay Asher about the suicide of a teenage girl named Hannah Baker and the impact she had on her school, friends, family and town. Before Hannah died, she recorded tapes, explaining 13 reasons why she committed suicide. The whole series is in the point of view of a shy teen boy named Clay Jenson who was in love with Hannah before and after her suicide. She left instructions to send out the single copy of tapes to the 13 people on them. The person on the first tape would receive them first, listen to them, and then pass them on to the second person, and so on. 

This series is great because it shows the possible outcomes of bullying and rumours (Hannah struggled with both). It shows that bullying can really negatively affect a person and in severe cases, draw them to suicide or self harm. Hannah did make some mistakes that did have negative impacts on her life, but in no way did she deserve what she got. I think it’s great that the show brings awareness to suicide and the impacts of bullying. 

Personally, I didn’t like the show that much. I think it did glorify suicide a little, in my opinion. The way everyone sympathised her and ‘loved’ her after her suicide could draw others to do the same. Also, the show includes a suicide scene where Hannah slits her arms and wrists in a bathtub. I understand how it was supposed to draw the audience away from suicide but instead, the scene gave the audience a step-by-step tutorial on how to commit suicide.

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