13 Reasons Why is a Netflix original series consisting of thirteen, one-hour episodes.  The premise follows a teenage boy (Clay) who tries to navigate the disorienting experience of losing a friend (Hannah) to suicide.  Clay’s wandering takes a sharp turn when a mysterious collection of audio tapes appears on his front doorstep.  On the tapes, Clay discovers a recording of Hannah providing her listeners with thirteen reasons why she committed her act of self-violence.  

I relish stories that make me evaluate my understanding of something.  13 Reasons Why triumphs in this regard by fleshing out several aspects revolving around suicide.  One aspect that caught my attention is the feeling of powerlessness exhibited not just from Hannah but from her “bullies” as well.  It has been a notion of mine that feeling powerless can drive someone to search for weaker individuals.  He or she then proceeds to bully them as a way of obtaining a sense of power or control.  Watching this concept played throughout the series was thought-provoking.

An aspect portrayed that was more novel to me was the concept of allotting guilt.  Watching the characters decide who’s truly at fault is a motif in almost every episode.  Throughout the audio tape recordings, Hannah calls out individuals she accuses of driving her towards suicide.  Consisting primarily of her high school classmates, these individuals quarrel among each other, some somberly acknowledge their contribution, while others deny even a shred of liability.  There is a particular idea presented in the show that left me in deep contemplation.  A few characters, “friends” and “enemies” alike, suggest to Hannah that part of the ridicule she receives might be attributed to poor decisions on her part.  I have never contemplated the idea of a suicide victim having their own share of guilt; possibly by behaving in a manner, against better judgment, that escalates their desperate situation.   

I’m grateful to the series for expanding my point-of-view.