13 Reasons Why – Season One: DVD Review
Season Overview:
Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) returns home from high school to discover a box of cassette tapes, recorded by Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), his classmate and secret crush, who died by suicide only two weeks before. Hannah’s tapes reveal the 13 reasons that led to her untimely death, and the people she felt were responsible. This begins an emotional journey of suspense and heartbreak to uncover the mystery behind Hannah’s tragic end.
This show hit home with me super hard (and I’m positive many other people as well) because of childhood bullying and now I am a father with a teenage daughter and it’s a bit scary to see certain things play out on screen. I think that the show hit the nail right on the head with what it’s like to be a teenager in this age of technology. People share things even quicker than what it used to and we see exactly that happen here. This touched on every moment that needed to be addressed as the heartbreaking mystery began to unravel but I did have an alternate feeling about the show as well. A part of me couldn’t help but think that this could be taken in a different way by young people and that’s why if you’re a parent then it’s important that you either watch it with them or at least open a dialogue about the show itself. The show is great at keeping the suspense but as the narrative comes to a close it leaves a door wide open for another season. I think a story as important and deep as this was needed to be kept self contained and closed out instead of drawing it out longer. In the end I did really enjoy the season and it did a fantastic job at making me experience all kinds of emotions and I always say that if a movie or show can do that then they did their job. This is a definite recommendation and if you’re into physical media (like me) then you’ll want to pick this up. 9/10
Special Features:
Hannah & Clay: An Unfinished Love Story – A feature and character profile on the two main characters of the show.
Justin Foley: Not Your Typical Jock – This focuses on just how conflicted the character was throughout the season and it paints a great picture of what kind of kid he is.
Discovering Jessica Davis – Another character profile and more on this character’s arc throughout the show.
Bringing The Book To Life – The author, cast and crew talk about bringing the book from it’s original form to a possible film to the eventual TV show.
13 Things About Me – Dylan Minnette and Justin Prentice go down a list of personal facts about themselves.
Beyond The Reasons – A fantastic Behind The Scenes feature that goes more in depth about the show and how the subject matter is very important.
