Two years after its initial release, Netflix made a significant change to 13 Reasons Why, a series that quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The streaming giant decided to edit out the graphic suicide scene from the season one finale, a scene that had been the subject of intense debate and criticism since the show’s premiere. This decision, confirmed by Netflix to the Hollywood Reporter on July 14th, marked a turning point in the conversation around the show’s portrayal of sensitive topics and its impact on young audiences. This article delves into the reasons behind this controversial edit, the initial intent of the scene, the expert opinions that fueled the backlash, and the ultimate implications of altering such a pivotal moment in the series.
The original 13 Reasons Why episode presented viewers with a stark and unflinching depiction of Hannah Baker’s suicide. The scene, set in her bathroom, showed Hannah filling a bathtub and then using a razor blade to slit her wrists. Crucially, the camera lingered, leaving no detail obscured. This graphic portrayal was intentional, as Brian Yorkey, the show’s creator, explained in a statement to THR. The creative team’s aim was to confront viewers with the “ugly, painful reality of suicide,” hoping to deter emulation by showcasing the horror of the act.
However, this graphic depiction immediately sparked widespread controversy. Suicide prevention experts voiced serious concerns about the scene’s potential to trigger vulnerable viewers and contribute to suicide contagion. The core of the issue lay in the fear that showing suicide in such detail could normalize or even glorify it, particularly for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts. This concern was not unfounded; research and expert consensus suggest that explicit portrayals of suicide in media can have a detrimental impact on at-risk individuals.
The theory of suicide contagion posits that media coverage or depictions of suicide can lead to an increase in suicidal behavior, especially among vulnerable populations. While most studies focus on the impact of news reports about real suicides, experts like Regina Miranda, director of the Youth Suicide Research Consortium, believe that fictional depictions can have similar effects. Miranda told Vox in 2018 that such scenes could prevent at-risk youth from disengaging from suicidal thoughts, keeping them focused on methods of self-harm and making suicide seem like a viable option to escape distress.
Adding to the controversy, 13 Reasons Why was criticized for potentially glamorizing suicide by portraying Hannah’s death as a form of vindication. After her suicide, the characters who had mistreated her express remorse, and those who cared for her grieve deeply. This narrative arc could inadvertently suggest to vulnerable viewers that suicide is a way to gain attention and make others regret their actions. Phyllis Alongi, clinical director of the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, highlighted this risk in a 2017 interview with Vox, emphasizing the potential for “notoriety or memorialization” to appeal to emotionally vulnerable adolescents.
Despite these serious concerns, the show’s creators initially defended the graphic scene. Nic Sheff, a writer for 13 Reasons Why, penned a guest column in Vanity Fair, arguing that the explicit depiction was necessary to shatter the “myth of the quiet drifting off” and expose viewers to the brutal reality of suicide. Sheff drew on his own experiences with suicidal ideation, recalling how a graphic story about a failed suicide attempt deterred him. He believed the scene in 13 Reasons Why could serve a similar purpose, acting as a deterrent rather than an encouragement.
However, this justification clashed with the growing consensus among mental health professionals. Victor Schwartz, a psychiatry professor at New York University and chief medical officer of the JED Foundation, told Vox in 2017 that while the scene might deter some viewers, it could also be “strangely appealing” to individuals already struggling with suicidal thoughts due to its dramatic and explicit nature.
Even before the show’s release in 2017, Netflix was aware of the potential risks. They consulted suicide prevention expert Dan Reidenberg, who advised against releasing the show altogether, deeming it impossible to do so responsibly. Despite this advice, Netflix moved forward, initially adding trigger warnings and a PSA episode. However, the backlash persisted and intensified, especially after a study published in 2019 indicated a correlation between the show’s premiere and a significant increase in youth suicide rates. This study, though not establishing a causal link, seemed to confirm the fears of experts and further fueled the debate.
Faced with mounting pressure and ongoing criticism, Netflix ultimately decided to remove the graphic bathtub scene. The edited version now cuts from Hannah looking in the mirror to her mother discovering her body. In their statement, Netflix acknowledged the “ongoing debate” and cited the advice of medical experts, including Dr. Christine Moutier of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, as key factors in their decision. Brian Yorkey echoed this sentiment, stating that “no one scene is more important than the life of the show, and its message that we must take better care of each other.” He expressed hope that the edit would allow the show to “do the most good for the most people while mitigating any risk for especially vulnerable young viewers.”
The removal of the bathtub scene represents a significant shift in Netflix’s approach to 13 Reasons Why and its controversial content. While the original intention behind the scene was to depict the harsh reality of suicide and discourage it, the overwhelming expert consensus and emerging data suggested that it was having the opposite effect, potentially endangering vulnerable young audiences. By editing out the graphic details, Netflix has prioritized viewer safety and responded to the concerns of mental health professionals. This decision underscores the complex ethical considerations involved in portraying sensitive topics in media, particularly when targeting young audiences, and highlights the ongoing dialogue about responsible content creation in the streaming era.
