This is based on the New York Times bestselling YA book by Jay Asher, was created by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Brian Yorkey, who also wrote the pilot. 13 Reasons Why is the story of Hanna Baker, a high schooler who commits suicide.
13 Reasons Why features no shortage of missteps. But it's a show that so deeply feels for its characters, so deeply feels these scenarios, that it's hard to be mad at it.
The streaming service can be forgiven for wanting to sustain a popular franchise, but what made this series special has already been significantly diluted by piling more reasons upon "Reasons."
But there is something good to be said about "13 Reasons Why": It's the best advertisement for parents to get involved and to demand to watch shows together as a family.
Unfortunately, the season's execution is frequently dismal. And although I didn't feel that the first season engaged in sadness porn or exploitation, I can't say the same for the second. It wallows, especially in later episodes.
For better or worse, 13 Reasons Why is a show that wants to tackle teen trauma, but it keeps choosing to do so in a way that courts controversy, almost shamelessly.
These moments come closest to making Season 2 seem like a necessary companion to the first. But at the same time, several last-minute developments come out of nowhere to ensure the season ends on a muddled, unsatisfying note.
Hannah's story was told last season -- imperfectly at times, stunningly at others. And each additional reason, each additional season, dilutes the impact of when we first heard it.
