The controversial drama series, which is based on the novel of the same name and depicts teen suicide, is running for the 2nd straight season at Netflix.
Streaming giant Netflix has come under pressure from regulatory bodies to cancel ‘’13 Reasons Why’’ after the drama aired a male rape scene.
‘’13 Reasons Why’’ is based on a young-adult book of author Jay Asher of the same name. The main character of the series is Hannah, a high-school girl who committed suicide and left behind 13 cassette tapes for Clay, her boyfriend.
Just like its debut season which was aired last May, the second season has also generated controversy. It deals with the topics of school shootings, sexual assault, rape culture, and addiction. The main theme of the show, however, is mental illness and depression.
Critics have slammed the show for containing ‘’needlessly graphic’’ scenes, despite the fact it comes with a mature content disclaimer in which the lead stars of the show tell the audience that the upcoming season will tackle ‘’tough, real-world issues’’.
The show goes as far as to advise its younger viewers to watch it with an adult. Netflix, on the other hand, wanted to avoid this critique by prefacing all the episodes with PSA’s warning. It also provides a number of valuable online resources for sexual assault, mental health, bullying, and suicide.
Still, that hasn’t satisfied the Parents Television Council which claims that the show provides “cause for despondency’’.
“Netflix has delivered a ticking time bomb to teens and children who watch 13 Reasons Why,’” said group president Tim Winter in a statement.
“We would have liked to have 13 reasons for hope and redemption following the graphic suicide of the lead character, but rather than providing a path forward, the season only provides cause for despondency,” Winter lamented.
Responding to the criticism, Brian Yorkey, the creator of the show, told Vulture: “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.’’
When asked specifically about the male rape scene, here’s what the Executive producer Mandy Teefey had to say: ‘’ “I would just suggest that they Google the news.”
“It’s shocking, it’s horrific, but it’s happening. There’s videos that people post and that’s online forever. It’s [in] the culture, so just look it up and educate yourself that you need look out for this.”
