’13 Reasons Why’ Season 2 Review: Sending Right and Wrong Messages [SPOILERS]

“13 Reasons Why” season 2 took a different approach focusing on issues many have critiqued the show misrepresented—suicide, rape, and mental illness. This season tried to correct what others thought of as a shallow way of handling important issues. Instead of Hannah’s (Katherine Langford) story, “13 Reasons Why” had characters narrate each episode telling us their perspectives about Hannah.

Season 2 is the start of each character’s complicated journey towards healing and recovery. Hannah’s mother, Olivia Baker (Kate Walsh) continues her crusade of punishing Liberty High and prepares to go on trial. Of course, there’s a complication when someone is trying to conceal from the truth from coming out. Chaos ensues, tensions rise, and lines become blurry.

’13 Reasons Why’ Mental Health and #MeToo

Shows and movies try to portray an accurate storyline containing very sensitive topics like rape and suicide. “13 Reasons Why” wanted to be that show to start a conversation but many perceived it as an inaccurate portrayal of suicide completely disregarding one’s mental health. Skye (Sosie Bacon) was the show’s answer to the lack of discussion of mental health.

People have said season one sent the wrong message about suicide so “13 Reasons Why” tries to correct it by introducing Skye. Sure, her storyline was not entirely fleshed out and she was only in a few episodes. We saw her manic episodes yet didn’t let it be Clay (Dylan Minnette) or anyone else’s fault. Instead of blaming the world for her manic decisions, she realized the only way to get better was to accept what Skye has and work on getting better.

Photo by Beth Dubber/Netflix

Meanwhile, Jessica (Alisha Boe) portrays the healing process after sexual assault and the challenges of trying to get things normal again while carrying a heavy burden. At first, Jessica wanted to deny what happened but later realized that in order to truly heal, she needed to accept what happened but not let it define her. They grappled with the #MeToo storyline without being insensitive. “13 Reasons Why” even had different female characters talk about their own experience with sexual assault and harassment showing Jessica isn’t alone—because this can happen to anyone and there’s more to the story.

Portraying How the Law Handles Trauma

Photo by Beth Dubber/Netflix

“13 Reasons Why” could have decided on a fantasy route of justice we all wish would happen more often. Bryce walks free with only three months probation while Justin (Brandon Flynn) was in juvie as an alleged accomplice. Liberty High was never held accountable for having a hand in Hannah’s death as well as letting both sexual harassment and violence slide on campus.

The show was able to wedge rape culture and mental health into the storyline as authentic as they can. “13 Reasons Why” continues with a court case portraying how the law can twist a narrative. Clay and the others try to find tangible evidence to get it while Tyler (Devin Druid) tries to serve justice himself. He blackmails Marcus (Steven Silver) and vandalizes the baseball field for everyone to see the injustice Liberty High is hiding. The show as able to at least present how complicated finding justice can be especially when your trauma requires tangible evidence.

Different Narratives, Muddled Story

Each episode was packed with a lot of arcs that it’s a bit hard to focus on the flow of the story. There are multiple narrators telling their stories at the same time as the show wedging in other stories into the mix. Some episodes lost its pace and other were just scattered. Adding Hannah’s ghost as a manifestation of Clay’s unresolved issues made the storytelling look cheap. Are we supposed to believe it’s her ghost and what she’s telling Clay is how she will actually respond?

Photo by Beth Dubber/Netflix

We already heard Hannah’s story, and season 2 could’ve added more to her even if Hannah’s presence was only through flashbacks. The multiple narrators were able to make the characters on her tape seem more human by telling their narrative. “13 Reasons Why” ended on a few cliffhangers but is there really more to tell? Season 2 already concluded Hannah’s story serving it’s desired purpose of starting a conversation. The show wants to continue to talk about sensitive issues but fails to create a compelling story for season two.

Sending Another Wrong Message

Photo by Beth Dubber/Netflix

The way certain characters are treated on “13 Reasons Why” feels a little too cruel like Tyler being constantly harassed. The show went far to present how cruel the world can be but each of them has to have a point. It was nice to see Tyler finally have a friend because it seemed like Tyler will no longer be lonely. The school finally intervenes in recommending Tyler attend a program to deal with his unstable emotions yet he comes back to be assaulted again. The bathroom scene was too cruel for anyone to experience or watch.

“13 Reasons Why” wanted to show there’s healing yet we don’t see it in this character in particular. The show decided to present trauma justifying their actions turning Tyler into a shooter. Tyler was only given hope when he already had a gun in his hands as if the show was making an excuse for a shooter’s motives. We sympathize with Tyler but it’s another thing for the audience to sympathize a shooter. Sure, Clay was able to stop him yet the storyline sent the wrong message.

’13 Reasons Why’ Season 2 Verdict: It’s Starting a Conversation

“13 Reasons Why” is a show to start a conversation, not an answer or an accurate portrayal. Netflix has put not only a trigger warning but also a link to references for those who need it. Many of us would want a show that perfectly sums up what it’s like to have a mental illness or dealing with trauma but we also know each experience is different from the other. The season would’ve done without Tyler almost shooting his schoolmates because that’s where the show lost its message of hope. The second season had it’s few good moments despite a scattered storyline. But we can all appreciate the trigger warning and recommending their website to provide helpful resources.

“13 Reasons Why” is streaming on Netflix now.