13 Reasons Why
I was completely engaged last year when 13 Reasons Why rolled out on Netflix. I found it powerful, well written, with excellent acting. There was a lot of controversy from people claiming it was irresponsible, glamorized suicide and could trigger copycats. I could not relate to any of the criticism. I saw it as powerful drama with a real world subject.
Perhaps people with mental health issues, especially teenagers should not watch. Perhaps it should come with content warnings. I am certainly not a psychiatrist.
But when groups ask for censorship, and these seem to be the same people who want to censor violent video games, then we all lose. (btw… there is no scientific evidence of a link between violent video games and aggression… and there have been many studies… google it).
Season 2 dropped this month on Netflix. I was cautiously optimistic. Sadly, the creators of Season 2 listened to their critics and failed miserably. Trying to be “socially responsible” they produced almost unwatchable bad television. Self censorship. Not only is Season 2 bad, it devalues the memory of Season 1.
My advice, if you missed 13 Reasons Why (Season 1), and are interested in powerful drama, and don’t think the subject will “trigger” you… watch it!
But Season 2…. skip it.