Netflix has responded to criticism leveled at its teen series “13 Reasons Why” and its deception of suicide and rape. The streaming service announced Monday that it has upped its trigger warnings for the drama.
Based on Jay Asher’s best-selling novel of the same name, the show centers on Hannah Baker (newcomer Katherine Langford) and the 13 cassette tapes she leaves behind after taking her own life.
In response to the backlash, Netflix issued a statement saying it will add an “additional viewer warning card before the first episode as a precaution.” Currently, there are warnings in place for the three episodes that feature rape scenes and Baker’s suicide.
The series is already rated TV-MA for mature audiences.
Below is Netflix’s statement, provided to BuzzFeed:
There has been a tremendous amount of discussion about our series “13 Reasons Why.” While many of our members find the show to be a valuable driver for starting important conversation with their families, we have also heard concern from those who feel the series should carry additional advisories. Currently the episodes that carry graphic content are identified as such and the series overall carries a TV-MA rating. Moving forward, we will add an additional viewer warning card before the first episode as an extra precaution for those about to start the series and have also strengthened the messaging and resource language in the existing cards for episodes that contain graphic subject matter, including the URL 13ReasonsWhy.info — a global resource center that provides information about professional organizations that support help around the serious matters addressed in the show.
'13 Reasons Why' Cliffhangers: 7 Questions Left Unanswered in the Finale (Photos)
There are so many questions left unanswered by the end of Netflix's "13 Reasons Why" that fans have good reason to believe a second season could be in store. The show is based on Jay Asher's book of the same name and follows 13 tapes made by a teenage girl who has taken her own life. Click through for the seven biggest cliffhangers from Season 1 (spoilers!):
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Will Alex survive?
Spoiler warning! In the finale, principal Bolan (Steven Weber) tells school counselor Mr. Porter (Derek Luke) that Alex (Miles Heizer) is in the hospital for a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Throughout the season, Alex was despondent and wanted to tell the truth about Hannah's (Katherine Langford's) suicide, but was often steamrolled by the other students into silence. Will another Liberty High student fall to suicide? A second season could explore the fallout... whether Alex lives or dies.
Netflix
What happens to Jess?
In the finale, Jessica (Alisha Boe) finally tells her dad that she was raped. Does this mean she wants to press charges? Will her dad seek justice? Will she ever forgive Justin (Brandon Flynn), who wanted to protect her but failed?
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What is going on with Tyler?
Poor Tyler (Devin Druid). Yes, it was really creepy of him to take pictures of Hannah without her consent. It was illegal. But Tyler has faced humiliation after humiliation, and the crew trying to prevent the tapes from being released to the public have kept him out of their discussions again and again. We see Tyler purchase a gun, and in the finale, we see he has a whole collection going. There is a shot of him looking at photographs of what seem like his targets -- students who have harmed him in some way, Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) included. Is Tyler planning something horrible? Will he go through with it, or will he find the help and friendship he needs to change his mind?
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Where will this lawsuit lead?
Now that Tyler has told the lawyers about the tapes, and that Hannah's parents have them, what kind of legal action will be taken? Now that Hannah's parents have the answers they've been looking for, will they continue to seek legal justice? And Clay's mom Lainie (Amy Hargreaves) is getting awfully twisted up in the lawsuit and Clay's involvement. Will she take herself out of the mix?
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Is Mr. Porter responsible?
As a school counselor, it's Mr. Porter's job to notice if students that come to him need more help. Hannah told him about her rape, but didn't give details out of fear. Mr. Porter could have done more during their conversation and recognized she was desperate. But will the school hold him accountable?
Netflix
Will Bryce get what he deserves?
Bryce (Justin Prentice) raped two girls at Liberty High, but because he is a big football star and his parents have a lot of money, he doesn't fear retribution. Worse, he doesn't even seem to recognize his actions as wrong, and assumes any girl in his vicinity wants to have sex with him (even if she's unconscious). Now that the tapes are out, Jessica has come forward, and Clay recorded his confession, will there be an additional lawsuit against Bryce? (It would be so satisfying to see Bryce go to jail in a Season 2.)
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What happens to Clay?
Our lead ends the season finale riding off with Tony (Christian Navarro), Skye (Sosie Bacon) and Tony's boyfriend. How will Clay deal with the fallout from the tapes? Will he get over the deaths of his friends Hannah and Jeff (Brandon Larracuente)? What will he say in his deposition? And will the other kids on the tapes keep trying to stop him?
What will become of Alex, Jess and Tyler? Warning: Major spoilers ensue!
There are so many questions left unanswered by the end of Netflix's "13 Reasons Why" that fans have good reason to believe a second season could be in store. The show is based on Jay Asher's book of the same name and follows 13 tapes made by a teenage girl who has taken her own life. Click through for the seven biggest cliffhangers from Season 1 (spoilers!):
Netflix
Netflix
