Review: 13 Reasons Why (2017)

Every so often, game-changing media pops out of nowhere – quite literally, as buzz regarding new films and shows is proliferated across social media in what seems like micro-seconds. I’ve stopped jumping on bandwagons too quickly but am very glad to have binged Selena Gomez’s passion project, 13 Reasons Why, early. It’s the kind of show you can’t be spoiled for. You should of course be warned for all the triggering material present in the show – it’s a huge part of the narrative and the show has a no holds barred approach to portraying all of it. (Click here for a list of warnings for the most triggering episodes, but I’d say be careful watching the entire thing. Triggers crop up at various points in the narrative.)

From a technical perspective, and from a character perspective that goes beyond the depictions of abuse and suicide, this is a well-crafted show that is – to an extent – sensitive of adolescence. But it is frank and blatant, and stylised and gratuitous, and that can and should be fairly alarming.

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TV tunnel-vision

So I absolutely already broke my sort-of resolution this year to post here at least once a week, but there’s a reason for that. Apart from being absolutely knackered after Chinese New Year celebrations last week, I’ve sequestered myself in a House marathon as I completed the show. Yes, I actually finished a show that’s longer than five seasons! That’s some kind of miracle in and of itself.

All your favourites are Dead

Unfortunately, a number of conversations I’ve had or witnessed among my friends within fandom relate to character death. How often do we lament when our favourite fictional character is killed off, especially in/to particularly gruesome and unnecessary ways/effect? A lot. (Spoilers for The Walking Dead after the cut.)