Katherine Langford as Hannah Baker in ’13 Reasons Why’ Source
Netflix urged to axe drama ’13 Reasons Why’ over controversial sex assault scene
An American parental council has called for streaming service Netflix to cancel its popular teenage drama 13 Reasons Why after a young man was shown being violently raped in a Season 2 episode.
The series, which launched on Netflix on May 18, is in its second season after receiving much hype in its inaugural one. Based on the 2007 best-selling novel by Jay Asher, the adaptation follows high school student Clay (Dylan Minnette), who discovers 13 tapes from fellow student and crush Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), who died by suicide.
The second season picks up with a lawsuit brought by Baker’s family against the school for failing to protect their daughter. As the story moves forward, viewers learn about a pattern of predatory sexual behaviour by athletes against some female students at the school. As we’ve seen on multiple TV shows before, the administration at the school ends up prioritizing the “jocks” at the expense of all the other students.
In the final episode of Season 2, character Tyler (Devin Druid) is raped by a school bully with a mop handle after being viciously beaten in the bathroom. It’s then implied that he contemplates a school shooting massacre as revenge.
Based on the events of that finale (in addition to other themes), the American censorship advocacy group Parents Television Council wants the show removed from Netflix, saying it’s a real danger to present morbid, dangerous ideas to teenagers.
13 Reasons Why
American web television series
Newcomer Katherine Langford plays the role of Hannah, a young woman who takes her own life. Two weeks after her tragic death, a classmate named Clay finds a mysterious box on his porch. Inside the box are recordings made by Hannah — on whom Clay had a crush — in which she explains the 13 reasons why she chose to commit suicide. If Clay decides to listen to the recordings, he will find out if and how he made the list. This intricate and heart-wrenching tale is told through Clay and Hannah’s dual narratives.
