When 13 Reasons Why first premiered on Netflix in 2017, it carved a niche for itself as a compelling, albeit controversial, teen drama. The series bravely navigated the complexities of bullying, rape culture, and the devastating impact of suicide. Season one meticulously unraveled the aftermath of Hannah Baker’s tragic choice, exposing the hidden darkness within a seemingly idyllic suburban town, reminiscent of classics like Peyton Place and Twin Peaks. The narrative, driven by Hannah’s posthumous cassette tapes, initially struck a chord, blending teen angst with genre conventions through dialogue and plots that, while dramatic, felt grounded in the realities of teenage experience.
The initial season of 13 Reasons Why adapted Jay Asher’s 2007 young adult novel and was conceived as a limited series. However, its unexpected popularity propelled it into three subsequent seasons, a decision that progressively diluted the show’s initial impact. Season two marked a downturn, season three descended into the ridiculous, and 13 Reasons Why season 4 ultimately culminated in a disappointing finale. The series underwent an identity crisis, shifting erratically from a teen drama to a courtroom spectacle, then to a noir-infused murder mystery, and finally, in its concluding season, to a psychological thriller.
Season 4 stands out as the most arduous season to endure. It strains audience empathy for a group of high school students who, despite enduring trauma orchestrated by creator Brian Yorkey’s narrative choices, are portrayed as unlikeable, self-absorbed, and even culpable of serious crimes.
The prospect of investing ten more episodes in a clique whose bond is rooted more in obligation than genuine affection is unappealing. This is particularly true when these characters, who preach about “justice for hurt kids,” are the same individuals who committed murder in season three and evaded accountability. 13 Reasons Why has consistently displayed questionable timing in its depictions of violence, often echoing real-world tragedies. Season 4 escalates this irresponsibility as it features privileged suburban teenagers, who are literally unpunished murderers, leading an anti-police protest and resorting to violent acts like firebombing.
Adding to the season’s missteps, the same privileged character who resorts to violence then stages a dramatic scene at a police station, feigning possession of a weapon, only to be pacified by law enforcement without facing real consequences. Just as viewers begin to think the show has reached its peak of absurdity, 13 Reasons Why season 4 manages to sink even lower.
Season three attempted to recapture the non-linear, whodunit structure of the first season, pairing Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) with the newly introduced Ani Achola (Grace Saif) to investigate the disappearance and murder of Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice). Bryce, who had previously assaulted Hannah, received a lenient sentence in season two.
The season three finale revealed a convoluted chain of events: Zach Dempsey (Ross Butler) severely beat Bryce, motivated by revenge, and Alex Standall (Miles Heizer), in a fit of rage, pushed the injured Bryce off a dock while Jessica Davis (Alisha Boe) watched. Through contrived plot devices, Ani and the group manipulate the police into believing Monty de la Cruz (Timothy Granaderos) was the culprit. Monty, conveniently killed in jail, is unable to refute the accusations, resolving the plot thread through a convenient, unrealistic scenario. The narrative threads of 13 Reasons Why season 4 become increasingly convoluted and tiresome.
Season 4 unfolds as a protracted ghost story, with the characters haunted by their past actions. The audience is subjected to repetitive scenes of teenagers arguing and expressing grievances. Clay, in 13 Reasons Why season 4, embodies the show’s problematic fascination with mental health, experiencing panic attacks, paranoia, dissociation, hallucinations, and fugue states, all depicted with a melodramatic, almost horror-like intensity.
One of the few episodes that deviates from the overall decline occurs during a camping trip, where characters confront their inner turmoil amidst the wilderness. Gary Sinise appears as Clay’s therapist, offering a touch of gravitas reminiscent of Judd Hirsch in Ordinary People, a stark contrast to the surrounding chaos. By episode five, the sheer volume of Dylan Minnette’s screaming and crying performances becomes concerning, suggesting physical strain on the actor.
Several characters begin to suspect the core group’s involvement in the deaths of Bryce and Monty. These include Winston (Deaken Bluman), Monty’s former romantic partner, who transfers to Liberty High seeking answers; Estela (Inde Navarrette), Monty’s sister, who joins Jessica’s social justice group; and Diego (Jan Luis Castellanos), Jessica’s new romantic interest, who admired Monty.
As suspicion mounts, 13 Reasons Why season 4 attempts to address numerous social issues, including activism, oppression, childhood sexual trauma, school shooting drills, sexual fluidity, substance abuse, and terminal illness. However, these elements fail to coalesce into a coherent whole. Despite the turmoil, the characters still manage to achieve typical high school milestones: college admissions, prom, and graduation speeches, rendering the supposed stakes hollow.
Ultimately, 13 Reasons Why season 4 and the series as a whole devolve into a “grandiloquent mess.” Here are key reasons why the series finale disappoints:
-
The Misconception of Clay Jensen’s Goodness: The writers persistently portray Clay as inherently virtuous despite his flaws. He comes across as a self-absorbed narcissist who believes his romanticized worldview justifies his controlling tendencies.
-
Overemphasis on Teen Sexuality: The show’s gratuitous and frequent depictions of teenage sexual encounters, particularly the focus on a storyline involving semen-stained underwear, become increasingly unsettling and exploitative.
-
Excessive Episode Lengths: The bloated runtime of episodes, often stretching to an hour, and culminating in an excessively long series finale (hour and 36 minutes), indicate a lack of narrative economy.
-
Alex’s Self-Pity: Alex’s constant self-deprecation and expressions of self-hatred become tiresome and unsympathetic. His dialogue, such as complaining about being chosen as a partner because he’s a “skinny, sad kid,” is off-putting.
-
Disposable Marginalized Characters: The series introduces and discards marginalized characters like Skye (Sosie Bacon), Cyrus (Bryce Cass), and Casey (Bex Taylor-Klaus), who represent goth subculture, anarchic punk, and nonbinary activism, respectively, after brief appearances. The show’s portrayal of feminists as “militant” is also problematic.
-
Trite Teen Philosophy: The characters’ tendency to articulate profound thoughts as shallow, cynical pronouncements on love and life, such as Clay’s nihilistic declaration, “There is no future,” rings false.
-
Jessica’s Hypocritical Activism: Jessica’s unwavering commitment to social justice is undermined by her status as an unrepentant accessory to murder.
-
Superficial Engagement with Racism: The show frequently alludes to racism through subtext without genuinely exploring the issue in depth.
-
Nostalgic Misrepresentation of High School: The series operates on the flawed premise that contemporary high school is uniquely terrible compared to the past, ignoring the timeless challenges faced by each generation, as explored in films like Rebel Without a Cause and Blackboard Jungle.
-
Overuse of R.E.M. Music: The constant and dated use of R.E.M. songs feels anachronistic and heavy-handed in a show set in 2020.
-
The Ill-Conceived Mexican Drug Cartel Plotline: The introduction of a Mexican drug cartel subplot in season three is a bizarre and jarring narrative detour.
-
Aging Cast: The fact that some of the actors portraying teenagers, like Ross Butler, are approaching or have reached 30, stretches credibility.
-
Lack of Stylistic Cohesion: 13 Reasons Why season 4 and the series as a whole lack a consistent stylistic vision or the necessary camp or aesthetic to effectively execute its over-the-top storylines.
Cast: Dylan Minnette, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn, Christian Navarro, Miles Heizer, Ross Butler, Devin Druid, Grace Saif, Deaken Bluman, Tyler Barnhardt, Justin Prentice, Timothy Granaderos, Gary Sinise
Created by: Brian Yorkey
Premiered: Friday, June 5 (Netflix)
