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Why "13 Reasons Why" Is Deeper Than Just Suicide


*This article, and the resulting series, will contain spoilers for 13 Reasons Why.
**This article, and the resulting series, will discuss topics of Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, and Suicide. Reader Discretion is advised.

"Hey. It's Hannah"

These were the opening words of the tapes in 13 Reasons Why, which I reviewed last year (Read the Review). Many people don't notice an important comment in this intro though: "Don't adjust your radio, or whatever you are hearing this on." This implies that Hannah intended for the tapes to go public. She expected the listeners to fail.

Or did she ever want them to remain a secret...

I thought about this about a week back, but never had a reason to discuss this idea. Until I saw this on Twitter the other day:


This got me thinking again: If the main point was Hannah's ultimate suicide, why would that warrant a second season? Granted, it could be focused on the lawsuits filed by the parents after hearing the tapes, but I don't think that's enough of a story, and could cheapen the overall impact of the series.

Which brings me to the topic of my first intense analysis series topic: 13 Reasons Why is not about the suicide, but rather the critical flaws in society today. Let's take a look at this in depth, as well as note where the show gets things right, and where artistic liberty took over. Due to the research needed to further elaborate on each episode, I cannot Guarantee when each episode's analysis, but I will be dedicating a post to each episode, and will link the relevant article in the list below. However, what I believe are the reasons are listed below:

Tape 1: A sexual photograph spread around the school.

Tape 2: A best friend lost because of a rumor and a note.

Tape 3: A list that Objectifies a person by their looks, and promotes sexual aggression.

Tape 4: A stalker who is interested in her that goes unreported.

Tape 5: A socially popular girl who is afraid of a label.

Tape 6: A jock looking for an easy score on Valentines Day.

Tape 7: A boy who took away the encouragement of a friend.


Tape 8: A journalist who publishes a private poem for a story.

Tape 9: A person afraid of her own punishment causes the death of another student.

Tape 10: A rape by a football star being covered up.

Tape 11: A friend and love that didn't notice in time to help.

Tape 12: Another rape by the football star.

Tape 13: A counselor who didn't realize the severity of the problem.

 With Suicide Prevention day passing this week, I think now is the perfect time to begin the series. Again, this is my understanding of the series as it stands, and may change as time goes on.

 Please note that this article, and all subsequent episodes cover some very intense services. As always, this is not a series for people who are sensitive to these issues. However, I invite those of you who have viewed the series, and are willing to, to please join the discussion of each episode.

 As I said in my review, this is a serious topic, and if you or someone you know is struggling with suicide, please refer them to the below resources:

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