Week 6: Initiative: 13 Reasons Why

This week i spent some time watching the controversial new Netflix series “13 Reasons Why”, i was getting mixed reviews, firstly i had people telling me that it was amazing and that all teenagers should watch the series because its so important to discuss the issues of suicide and depression. and then i had reviews that it was glorifying suicide.

So i gave it a go, interested in what the series was about maybe it helps that the series was being endorsed by Selena Gomes who is the EP of the show, or that the lead is an Australian Actress and i love supporting Australian talent. But i stated watching it and became obsessed, obsessed with the story line and wanting to know more. i became so invested, but not in a healthy way, i identified too much with some of the events and was not happy watching the series in fact i began feeling depressed about it. Maybe that was the point to immerse yourself in the issues so much so you did feel.. suspension of disbelief or something…

but when the series finished i couldn’t help but realise that the show was wrong, it was interesting and very real and yes it did bring awareness to issues about mental illness and health, but there was no discussion about the issues, it brought them up but gave the audience no resolution to suicide, and that is where the show ‘stuffed’ up, they needed to discuss it they needed to show their young audience that suicide is no resolution to mental illness and the whole concept of tapes and retribution is not an answer because killing yourself means you’re dead and cant come back.

so i guess i also have mixed reviews about the show it was brilliant and the narrative was strong and real but the producers had an obligation when making this show to discuss mental illness especially when there whole ploy of the show was to raise awareness for mental illness.

Leave a Reply