At the time of its premiere in 2017, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher was one of my favorite books, and one of the most anticipated adaptations, and controversial, of the year. After its premiere, I had immense satisfaction in the execution delivered by Netflix, there commitment to the source material and to the story clearly delivered with as delicate a touch and heart as possible. There was nothing but excitement for how they would carry the adaptation into the next season. When season 2 came around, I was wondering how they would continue the story of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford) and her friends who were each a reason she felt led up to the taking of her life. Thankfully, the series delivered once more, and Hannah’s story was given the final rest it needed. But where would the show go from here?
As we enter the third season, Hannah Baker is left behind, viewers now left wondering who killed Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice) – a man many will feel is deserving of his fate. A murder mystery of sorts, 13 Reasons Why is about to venture into vigilant territory – where any one is a suspect and the reasons for murder run rampant. Could the series stay as strong as the first two seasons, its catalyst now laid to rest? Yes and no. It takes the series a little too much time to find its footing, throwing in a multitude of issues – initially drowning in its own depictions and attempt to bring murderous potential to everyone on screen. A necessity for the structure of the season and relevancy, this was not the precise execution that fans have come to love.
Changing the Narrative
This is not Clay’s (Dylan Minnette) story or Hannah’s story any more. In season 3, viewers are given a new narrator, Ani (Grace Saif), an outsider whose observations and participation lead the season, slowly dripping tidbits and clues through her words to viewers as each episode comes and goes. As an outsider, there is not an immediate trust in the narrator, an immediate disconnect. Though this is not to the season detriment. As each character tries to prove their innocence or lack of involvement, and the truth slowly begins to take shape, she is as trustworthy as the audience allows her to be. Through her story, a new investment for viewers is created.
Personally, I was not entirely sold on the new narrator and her purpose for the first three episodes. Who is this person? She has not been on this journey this entire time, she has not cried with these characters (and audiences). She has not felt the pain of her fellow classmates. Yet, as the season continues, I found myself welcoming her into the series, holding on for her every word, trying to piece the information she was delivering on screen together. This was a risky move to make, changing the narrator, but it was one that worked for the season.
So.Many.Storylines.
This was one of my biggest complaints with Season 3 – the amount of content jammed into the season – especially within the first 5 episodes. It felt as though the writers were trying their best to touch on as many issues facing today’s youth as possible, yet rather than giving them the time to be introduced and fully fleshed out, they felt rushed and convoluted. Some were more successful than others but there was an overarching feeling of a heavier concern on the issues than continuing the story Hannah Baker, and the aftermath of her story, had kicked off.
There is an understanding though of the necessity of these issues, each presenting potential motive for the central characters. Even with this understanding, the pace and vibe that made the previous seasons so successful is completely shifted. Claustrophobia and rapid fire is the best way to describe the feeling of season 3. Sadly, it takes six episodes for the series to find its old groove and to finally focus more on who the murderer is.
Though it must be noted, once the vibe falls back into place and the events of Homecoming slowly become revealed to audiences, 13 Reasons Why is back in its prime, and for the remainder of the season, you will forget how rocky the beginning had been.
Immigration
Out of all the issues that 13 Reasons Why decided to tackle this season (and as I have mentioned, there were a lot), there were three that rose above the mash of themes and storylines, each of these remains as impactful as when they were first shown. They are each conversation starters one their own, conversations that are difficult, fiery at times, and necessary.
The first was immigration. I do not want to spoil anything for viewers who still have not watched, but immigration makes a tumultuous appearance. One of our characters, joyous and seemingly changing their ways, arrives home to find their family missing – gone without a trace. The TV is still on, food cooking on the stove, vegetables freshly cut for diner. There is no soundtrack to accompany the discovery, only the sense of fear, dread and anger radiating off screen.
One of the most heartbreaking moments of Season 3, it is immediately followed with urgency and desperate attempts to rectify the situation, bring the family back – before they are deported to their country forever. Whether you can relate or not as a viewer, these moments will pierce through you. I was surprised with the delicate nature at which each element of the situation was handled, from discovery to the very end. It is harsh and comes out of nowhere, yet it never looses its intended impact.
Reclaim yourself
While immigration was a new issue to the series, sexual assault is far from minted. The final thread Hannah Baker was clinging to was cut when Bryce Walker raped her in the hot tub. Jessica (Alisha Boe) was also raped by Bryce, her boyfriend finding he was unable to do what was necessary to save her. Rape culture and sexual assault in the school’s sports program has been one of the main focuses within 13 Reasons Why, expanding their view and perspective with each season, no matter the controversy it may arise. This year was no different.
By the end of Season 2, Jessica had reclaimed her voice, pointed out and spoke against her rapist in court. She began to tell her story, to understand what happened to her – and that it was not her fault. With Season 3, she is stronger, outspoken and an advocate for those who have had similar experiences. She has begun her own club for those in the school who have been rapped and sexually abused (as well as for allies who support them), and attained the role of class president with the stance of bringing an end to the sports that facilitate an environment for these behaviors. In season 3, Jess is on her way to reclaiming herself.
Yet, it is not just in the outward ways that she reclaims herself. She begins to learn to love her body again, to see herself whole again. She learns to listen to her heart, and find no fault in the person she is now. She learns that this process of reclaiming takes time, that each person takes their own time.
Though this extends beyond Jess, a prominent moment toward the end of the season speaking directly to this need of a victim to reclaim themselves, but in their own way, in their own time. We can not make them stand and we can not make them speak. We can not make them “be okay” with what happened, to “move on”. The best we can do is allow them the space and freedom they need, and be there when they are ready to tell their stories, when they are ready to reclaim themselves.
Seeking Redemption
This was one of the most controversial issues the series brought up, one that will most definitely spark fiery conversations – though as necessary as all that have come before. Can we ever forgive a rapist? Right? Tough question. As the series began to led viewers down the path of understanding whether a person can change – whether Bryce Walker could change – I found my stomach tying itself up in knots. Never mind a #MeToo world, how could one ever forgive or even ask forgiveness in a situation such as this.
Can a person ever be redeemed?
Can we ever accept someone on the path to redemption?
This is a two part question, neither having a simple answer. While Season 3 at times found itself over saturated with modern day issues plaguing teens and the country as a whole, this was was a conversation starter that spoke to all. Can a rapist who sees the error and tries to find a path of redemption ever be forgiven, ever be given a second chance? Can actions born out of hate, anger and frustration ever be forgiven? Can you ever truly trust a person again? Questions beget further questions, the uneasiness of the topic never ebbing.
Many have fallen from grace recently, and rightfully so, but the series challenges our perception of evil, wrong doing and redemption, especially as it parallels the redemption and forgiveness of two of its central characters. Why can one be forgiven, while the other’s attempts are completely disregarded, forever shamed and turned away from society.
Is it the motives behind the actions? Is it the privilege and superiority of another?
Tyler (Devin Druid) has has two redemptions bestowed to him: one for peeping on Hannah and taking images of her without her knowledge, the other for almost shooting up the Spring Fling. Tyler, a character that is not only redeemable but like able had a variety of motives, the latter due to the sexual assault that was inflicted on him (though it is always a wonder if he was always planning a school shooting as Season One showed him stoking up on ammunition and weaponry). Yet, Clay and the gang not only stopped him from shooting students, but enacted a plan to help and rehabilitate him.
Then there is Bryce, whose actions and disregard mimic so many in real life who have found themselves called out on their behavior – many finding little to no punishment for the pain and abuse they have inflicted on others. Are his crimes more severe than Tyler’s, is he not as mentally ill? 13 Reasons Why does not take a stand on either of these issues, letting the characters bring to life each point of the argument, allowing viewers to take it in, ruminate on the idea and and start a conversation.
Can a rapist or sexual assailant ever truly find redemption? It is an interesting question to consider in the current world we live in. Can we reclaim our voices and ourselves, yet recognize and forgive the transgressions of those who wish to change?
It is not an issue with an easy answer, and one I honestly have a hard one stomaching myself.
Conclusion: Season 4 here we come…
There is a lot to take in from Season 3 of 13 Reasons Why, some more controversial than others. Looking at the season as a whole, the first half was jam packed with issues, struggling for the time and attention they needed to be truly impactful and meaningful to audiences. Though a few break through and give viewers the time to start a conversation, and in many cases, keep the conversation going. Season 3 is not as strong as its previous seasons, but that does not make it any less relevant.
Watch 13 Reasons Why
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