"13 Reasons Why" Creator Responds to Backlash
Warning: This post contains spoilers about 13 Reasons Why season 2.
The first season of 13 Reasons Why drew scrutiny for its depiction of suicide, but season two of Netflix’s hit show, doesn’t shy away from tough issues and graphic content. In the final episode of season 2, Tyler is violently raped and the controversial scene has caused backlash from many who think the show went too far. In fact, fans of the show have been issuing warnings, telling potential viewers it may be triggering.
The Tyler's scene on the bathroom was too much for me #13reasonswhy
- Alexandra Sanchez (@alexandrasanc67) May 21, 2018
I thought I would repost the 13 reasons why trigger warning! Be cautious and take care of yourself! 💜 #13ReasonsWhy pic.twitter.com/C0Rl941uow
- Stay Strong (@bestrongbeautys) May 22, 2018
The final episode of season 2. Just so everyone knows.
From 38:20 to 39:50, there's a really, really intense and graphic sexual assault scene.
It super messed me up. If you can't watch, DON'T. I wish someone else had warned me, because I couldn't sleep after that.#13ReasonsWhy- Julia Mayhem (@Julia_Mayhem) May 21, 2018
#13ReasonsWhy is completely reliant on its shock value. A majority of its target audience are too triggered to even watch the show. Maybe it opens the eyes of those in denial of the fact that these things happen daily, but either way the delivery of the intended message is trash.
- minah baby (@sensiminah) May 21, 2018
Disgusted? No. But I am horrified. The scene was detailed as hell, and very triggering for sexual assult vicitms. Not asking for a cancelation, but asking for a little more respect for sexual assult victims, like myself. #13ReasonsWhy pic.twitter.com/7s2u8M5Hbo
- m e n d y. (@cuddlyashy_) May 22, 2018
I'm less bothered about the topics covered in #13ReasonsWhy than I am the graphic, gratuitous depictions of those topics. Explicit scenes of sexual assaults and suicide are NOT ok, and there's no excuse for it.
- i'm the queen and you're the sorry people (@ElenaBjxrn) May 22, 2018
Some fans are even calling for the show to be canceled (even though Netflix hasn't even confirmed whether there will be a third season), a sentiment that Tim Winter, president of the Parents Television Council, echoes.
“Netflix has delivered a ticking time bomb to teens and children who watch ’13 Reasons Why.’ The content and thematic elements of the second season are even worse than we expected. We would have liked to have 13 reasons for hope and redemption following the graphic suicide of the lead female teen character, but rather than providing a path forward, the season only provides cause for despondency,” he said in a statement urging Netflix to cancel the series.
Now, 13 Reasons Why showrunner, Brian Yorkey, is addressing the backlash over season two and defending its controversial rape scene. Similar to season one, his argument is that “‘talking about it is so much better than silence.”
“We’re committed on this show to telling truthful stories about things that young people go through in as unflinching a way as we can. We fully understand that that means some of the scenes in the show will be difficult to watch. I think Netflix has helped provide viewers with lots of resources for understanding that this may not be the show for everybody, and also resources for people who do watch it and are troubled and need help,” he told Vulture.
“But the fact is that, as intense as that scene is, and as strong as are or reactions to it may be, it doesn’t even come close to the pain experienced by the people who actually go through these things. When we talk about something being “disgusting” or hard to watch, often that means we are attaching shame to the experience. We would rather not be confronted with it. We would rather it stay out of our consciousness. This is why these kinds of assaults are underreported. This is why victims have a hard time seeking help. We believe that talking about it is so much better than silence.”
Ultimately, Yorkey says they felt it was important to address male-on-male sexual violence, which he calls an “epidemic”.
“When we dug into that research, I think we were all astounded to find how many times this happened, this disturbingly similar story of a male high school athlete violating a weaker boy with some sort of instrument like a mop handle or a pool cue,” he said.
Some fans seem to agree, noting that the show is tackling real issues that are happening and that need to be discussed.
Everyone is complaining about the graphic scene in the last episode of #13ReasonsWhy season 2. Yes, it was extremely graphic and horrible. I’m not sure how I feel about it. BUT if you think that was “too much,” remember that EXACT thing has happened to several high schoolers.
- Lee (@Hello_Its_Lee) May 21, 2018
Season 2 of #13ReasonsWhy hit so many points, and yes some scenes where uncomfortable but that was the main point, people need to stop trying to cover topics like this up, producers did an amazing job with this and spreading awareness.
- Arlette (@Arlette18209575) May 21, 2018
Started #13ReasonsWhy and really don’t understand how some people can say the show “this show shouldn’t have been made” - this is real, suicide is real, shootings are real, RAPE is real. Reality isn’t for everyone I guess.
- Daniel Preda (@MisterPreda) May 21, 2018
#13ReasonsWhy
Seeing Tyler’s bathroom scene in the last episode made me feel physically sick.However I’m glad it makes people feel uncomfortable because male sexual assault is usually over looked. But now,we can help raise awareness and shed light on such awful circumstances😢- Yasmin (@yyas_brown) May 21, 2018
Yorkey also notes what he sees as a difference in reactions to Hannah and Jessica’s rape scenes in season one and Tyler’s in season two.
“The very, very intense scene of Hannah’s suicide seemed to overshadow the fact that Hannah and one other girl were violently raped in season one…” he told Vulture. “If there’s a greater sense of backlash about this scene, especially it being hard to watch, ‘disgusting,’ or inappropriate, that goes to the point that we need to be talking about the fact that things like this happen. The fact that this would be somehow more disgusting than what happened to Hannah and Jessica, I’m shocked but not surprised.”
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, connect with a counselor 24/7 at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by calling 1-800-273-8255, or by accessing the chat feature on their website. You can also visit the 13 Reasons Why website for more information on how to get help.
Kristin Koch is the Digital Director for Seventeen. Follower her on Instagram and her blog.
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