Release Date: March 31, 2017
Content Distributor: Netflix
Main Cast:
- Dylan Minnette
- Katherine Langford
High school nerd and sweet guy Clay Jensen’s world gets turned upside down when he finds a box of tapes from his dead sweetheart blaming him as one of the 13 reasons of her death.
Hannah Baker killed herself.. but was it really her who ended the rush of life? Looking back at her short life, she connects the dots that led her to this brutal decision and records them on audio tapes. She wants to be heard, but not by all.. only the people who killed her. Hannah wants them to know that they are responsible..
“I hope you’re ready, because I’m about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you’re listening to these tapes, you’re one of the reasons why.”
What is the squeaky-clean kid Clay doing on the tapes.. and who are these other people? Why did she kill herself? Is she saying the truth? But then.. why would a dead girl lie?
The Netflix Originals series is based on the novel “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher.
I had already read the book “Thirteen Reasons Why” by the time the TV series released and having really liked the book, like most book lovers was conflicted during the release of the series. On one hand I was excited to see a screen adaptation and the fact that this story would now reach out to a lot more people. On the other hand I was scared that the screen adaptation wouldn’t do justice to the original story. This was the reason I held back watching the series for one whole year before getting to it. Honestly, the buzz around Season 2 really got to me! 😀 😉
Despite my anxiety, I gave it a go and was not disappointed at all. The cast was well put together and they did an amazing job of bringing the characters to life.
Just like the book, the TV series brings forth some massively important yet blatantly ignored social issues, the most glaring among them being teenage suicide. Teens feeling closeted and alone is not an uncommon thing but that doesn’t mean it is right, that doesn’t mean it is okay. Bullying and social anxiety often lead to the feeling of loneliness and eventually to depression. Even delicate topics like rape by a known face or peer has been put up. The truth is no one wants to die.. not really.. unless things seem beyond redemption. To us, for whom life doesn’t seem that bad, it may be queer.. as to how wrong can things go? What could an individual have done to make someone kill themselves?How much power does an individual have over you? You never know.
Have you ever heard of the snowball effect? When you roll a small ball of snow it is harmless and fragile, but as it keeps rolling it picks up more snow and adds to its mass until it is so huge that it spirals and crashes into something uncontrollably. That is the kind of power unkind words and actions have over anybody and depending on the negativity or harshness of the action, it gets worse.. worse to point of no return.
This is something I realized yet again on watching the series. This world is craving kindness and there is terrible dearth of it around us. This has to stop. Things have to change. The victims of these social monstrosities should feel safe to speak up, to seek help. Someday may be, they will not need to because the world will be a kind and tolerant place. Till then, seek out the ones who need to feel loved, your friends, family, or anyone who needs some kindness in their life!
The book/series does a wonderful job of re-iterating these facts. However, all this also makes it unsuitable for the younger audience. However, if you are above 16 then this comes highly recommended.
Have you watched the series or read the book already? Leave a comment below!
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