(Spoilers ahead for “13 Reasons Why” Season 2)
Netflix’s popular teen drama “13 Reasons Why” has ignited more backlash in its sophomore season.
A scene that troubles viewers involved the bullied Tyler (Devin Druid).
The episode begins with a warning: “The following episode contains graphic depictions of sexual assault and drug abuse, which some viewers may find disturbing. It is intended for mature audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.”
In the scene, Monty (Timothy Granaderos), one of the baseball team members, beats Tyler up — first smashing his head against a bathroom sink and then plunging his head into a toilet. He then sexually assaults Tyler using a mop, and Tyler is left bloodied in the bathroom.
Viewers of the show are divided on the scene: Some say that showing a sexual assault in such graphic detail is too disturbing, while others say it needs to be shown to portray the pain that some teenagers experience.
“f— 13 reasons why and anyone who enjoys watching a show with such triggering graphic assault and violence in it as entertainment. i’m beyond disgusted,” one viewer said on Twitter.
“AND I GET IT LIKE IT MUSTVE TRUGGERED AND MADE EVERYONE FEEL SO UNCOMFORTABLE BUT IVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY THAT THIS HAS BEEN SHOWN! IT RAISED AWARENESS ON MORE THAN THE WHOLE SEXUAL ASSUALT AGAINST GIRL,” another viewer tweeted. “AND HOW IT HAPPENS WITH BOYS TOO YOU KNOW.”
The show addresses tough issues that teenagers deal with, but aren’t often talked about — like suicide, drug abuse, bullying, sexual assault and rape. The first season sparked its own criticism after a realistic depiction of Hannah (Katherine Langford)’s suicide.
For Season 2, Netflix added a new trigger warning and created a website to provide resources for viewers: 13reasonswhy.info. Netflix did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment about the criticism of the rape scene.
See more responses below.
fuck 13 reasons why and anyone who enjoys watching a show with such triggering graphic assault and violence in it as entertainment. i’m beyond disgusted
— caden (@reprisings) May 19, 2018
THAT WHOLE MONTY/TYLER SCENE ON THE LAST EPISODE OF #13 reasons why season 2 episode 13 MADE ME SO UNCOMFORTABLE MY HANDS WERE ALL SWEATY AND SHAKY AND MY HEART WAS RACING AND FUCK. THAT SHIT JUST BROKE MY HEART
— azua (@slayajian__) May 21, 2018
AND I GET IT LIKE IT MUSTVE TRUGGERED AND MADE EVERYONE FEEL SO UNCOMFORTABLE BUT IVE NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY THAT THIS HAS BEEN SHOWN! IT RAISED AWARENESS ON MORE THAN THE WHOLE SEXUAL ASSUALT AGAINST GIRL. AND HOW IT HAPPENS WITH BOYS TOO YOU KNOW
— azua (@slayajian__) May 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/lxstxr13/status/998513324122820609
Started #13ReasonsWhy and really don’t understand how some people can say the show “this show shouldn’t have been made” — this is real, suicide is real, shootings are real, RAPE is real. Reality isn’t for everyone I guess.
— Daniel Preda (@MisterPreda) May 21, 2018
I love this series. But I seriously understand the arguments. Kids under 20 don’t even have fully developed brains yet and being exposured to such graphics, is tough and plants ideas. As well as the concept of “revenge suicide” can be harmful. She’s not getting satisfaction, she
— cat (@catrific) May 21, 2018
13 reasons why is an amazing series and speaks volumes of truth. No one should ever feel like they are alone. #MentalHealthAwareness
— Lewis Maxwell (@Lewis1Maxwell) May 21, 2018
13 reasons why season 2 has a garbage ending and im right so theres no point in arguing with me about this please move on to the next tweet in your timeline thank you
— Matthew DeLisi (@super_OW) May 21, 2018
(Some) reasons why 13 reasons why is problematic:
•unnecessarily graphic scenes when they have a vulnerable audience
•promotion of revenge suicide
•reinforces the idea that a boy can “fix you”
•makes suicide not seem final (Hannah’s “ghost” and flashbacks etc)
— abby ? (@abbywotsit) May 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/kaylenjowitt99/status/998539113073729536
https://twitter.com/ellawilsonferry/status/998519119023673347