13 Reasons Why, the critically-acclaimed series that has presented us with severe struggles and issues over the past few years, comes to a close in its final season.
All those years ago, we started with the suicide of high school girl Hannah Baker and the discovery of her tapes by her friend (and admirer from a distance) Clay Jensen as he set out to discover why she killed herself and who was potentially to blame.
Then came season two with the court case surrounding Hannah’s suicide and in season three we had the murder of villain Bryce Walker. Now, in season four we see this group of teenagers including Clay, Jessica, Tony, Justin, Zach, Alex, Tyler and others who have joined them along the way – all who have suffered in one way or another – as they conclude their senior year at Liberty High.
Image credit: Medium
The season opens with a funeral, but the deceased is unknown as we will learn later in the series who it is. From there, we are transported back six moths earlier. We see the usual plot for the characters as they all help to cover the mis-happenings of Tyler, alongside dealing with other issues experienced by the teenagers including suicides, bullying, dealing with rape, addiction and a school system that isn’t up to scratch.
Something this series has always done, and especially in this series with beloved character Justin is experience the emotional trauma of what the characters have gone through. Justin has experienced much tragedy not only in this series but throughout the others as he returns from rehab in the first episode. Brandon Flynn plays this role remarkably well and lures the audience into what his character is really feeling.
The emotional aspect of the series is a standout positive as it allows us as viewers to connect with the characters more and therefore connect with the series and what it entails right in front of our eyes.
The production of the series does well again to mirror the settings to how the characters are feeling such as Clay – who we first hand experience the trauma he is feeling from the onset, as he continues to have nightmares and has to attend council sessions – as for example on Christmas Day, it seems Clay is having a panic attack and his view becomes distorted and shaky. From this, we are in the view of Clay and not only does it make him feel uneasy, but we are also uneasy.
However, drawback to this series – which is disappointing as it was our farewell to 13 Reasons Why – is that the trauma these teenagers have experienced is not uncovered as much compared to Clay and Justin. In a way, this makes the characters more boring and the viewing less engaging.
Something 13 Reasons Why has been renowned for throughout the past few years is tackling issues that have always been hush-hush in society. The fact they don’t explore the emotional trauma all the teenagers have experienced in some way goes against the message they have always promoted as to raise the conversations around these sorts of issues.
Ultimately, the final season of 13 Reasons Why is still a series that will tug at your heart strings due to the tragedy we see on screen. However, compared to other series it fails to promote its continuous message in the last few years as to reach out and talk.
By Katie Green
Feature image: Whatculture.com