The one theme “13 Reasons Why” we need to discuss

The controversial Netflix drama “13 Reasons Why” has sparked a national debate about the awareness of teen suicide, depression, assault, & the never-ending depiction of the horror that is high school. Still, as many people have questioned the show’s motives, there is one theme that sticks out the most.

From the very first episode, your immediately drawn into the artistry presented during the opening theme and the haunting voice of the show’s deceased starlet Hannah Baker (portrayed by Katherine Langford). Throughout the tragic thirteen episodes, you see Hannah’s story unfold when the tapes she recorded before she ended her life are listened to by her unrequited love, Clay Jensen (portrayed by Dylan Minnette). For those who haven’t seen the show, I will not spoil too much of what happens to this unfortunate girl, but I will speak upon the one thing I noticed was a similar character trait; responsibility.  Or lack thereof.

(Spoiler Alert)

The tapes that Hannah recorded, depicts a story of why she decided life was no longer worth living. Each tape is designed specifically for one person that Hanna at one point was close to or cross path’s with and in some way hurt/damaged her. As Clay dives deeper into the truth of the pain and agony of what each person brought upon her, when he confronts this person, they all simply deny any responsibility or even knowing her.

While the show is a dramatization of the book by the same name and many feel the show has only increased the suicide rate among teens, it does has some truth to it. How many of us take responsibility for our actions? The students of Liberty High School memorialized Hannah Baker by decorating her locker, holding a service in her honor, and writing a moving piece in the school’s newspaper. But the one’s responsible for hurting her, humiliating her, and making high school unbearable for her never stopped the rumors from spreading, tried to be a decent friend to her, or even apologized.

Maybe she should’ve been stronger, maybe she should’ve fought a little harder, maybe she should’ve spoken up sooner; but it doesn’t justify the actions of the teenagers that ruined a young girl’s life, and felt no remorse for it. True, there were few, like Clay, that wanted justice for what happened to Hannah, but it was only after she was gone this was taken into action.

From the jocks, to the student government; the depiction of high school is similar to real life, the more power you have, the more you have to loose. A lot of the students involved in Hannah’s life made mistakes because of fear. Fear of losing a scholarship, a loved one, respect, getting into college, etc. Does this make it right to simply turn the other cheek to save your own skin? Or do we need to as Clay said “Start treating each other a little better,”?

Season 2 of “13 Reasons Why“, will air on Netflix next year.

Until then, you can binge watch the first  season today!