Bubblegum Bitch.

Boys in 13 Reasons Why || pt.1 

Do we only see what we want to see?

While we were all grieving Hannah Baker,  consumed with secretly hating everyone she blamed, we didn’t notice Alex and his kind soul. Warning spoilers below!!

Let’s be honest, the whole time we watched, we judged everyone in Hannah’s life, for not noticing the things that were changing about her, and how each of those things brought her closer to her death. Unlike Hannah’s people, we noticed the little things she’d say that—from our point of view—made it hella obvious she was suicidal.

I worried more for Tyler, the creepy photography kid. Everyone treated him like trash, constantly told to “disappear” and “go away”. Yet, in the end I found myself incredibly surprised Alex Standall tried to kill himself. After we hear the Principal tell Mr. Porter, Alex had shot himself— I found myself wondering, WTF did I miss?

The writers of 13 Reasons Why were incredibly clever in slipping his suicide in. It serves as a reminder that, it is NOT simple to determine if someone will commit suicide. More so, if they’ve never attempted to, leaving us with no reason to watch them so closely.

WTF did I miss?

If you go over 13 Reasons Why a second time— after knowing Alex shoots himself— you’ll see details you disregarded before, as anyone would. Take for example the small discussion Alex and Troy (from his band club) have. Alex is asked if hes alright by a girl in his band club. He responds Yes, and hesitantly says he’s overslept (a symptom of depression, btw). Less than a minute later he speaks about song choice with Troy:

Alex: If they want a spirit raiser how about “Gloomy Sunday”?

Troy: Are you serious? That song’s totally depressing.

Alex: Or it’s beautiful, if you have taste.

Troy: Or if you’re suicidal.

Alex then walks off. He takes a breath and runs his hands over his hair. We dismiss his reaction as one pertaining to Hannah’s own suicide, but in a second take, he might have already begun pondering his own.

Prior to this even, his clothing goes from colorful, to dark t-shirts. He repeatedly arrives late, and has been seeing a doctor regularly, as seen in episode 2 when the school office clerk makes a remark ( “another doctor’s note?”). He goes on to a physical altercation, and having bouts of anger as he rips “Suicide is not the answer” type posters from the school walls.

In episode 12, while Hannah’s reasons gather around to discuss why they must protect their secret and what their futures will lose, Alex says “I’ve got no plans, I’m good to tell the truth.”

He’s later seen at home, putting finishing touches on his newly clean and organized room.

All of his actions point to depression and suicidal ideation. Total plot twist and eye opener for those of us, *cough* me *cough* , who think they can pick up on suicidal cues.

*crosses finger for second season*

I know, the show did end rather nicely, but I’m attached to these characters now! There could be a whole separate story like for Alex Standall. We can assume he died, but what if he didn’t. I’m sure others will be affected by his act. I just want more okay?!

Takes the plot of the book seriously. Even though they do make changes, none of those take away from the story or the characters. They just adapt it to a television format. 

Brilliant actors. They are subtle in their acting but the meaning the manage to convey in profound. Starting from Katherine Langford’s voice to Justin Prentice’s spot-on recreation of a fuck boy who really doesn’t care. Dylan Minnette blows me away. He plays the guy who is good at heart but is clueless, so perfectly.

Great dialogue. It’s really well-written and makes you think. But at the same time it’s not something that seems out of place for the character. A lot of times dialogues may be good but they just don’t seem like something a teenager would say but in 13 reasons why everything is quite natural and realistic.

Cinematography is A1. Shots are smooth, the colours and tones are just perfect for the whole eerie and melancholy mood of the show. Even though I don’t know much about this art, I love it.

Narration is perfect. I love how we travel with Clay and are as confused as him and as angry as him through out the show. 

I love that we get to see more of Clay and the kind of person he was. We couldn’t explore his character and his reactions to the tapes in the books. I’m happy that they are taking this opportunity to look an interesting character.

Just all the characters in general. They are only slightly exaggerated and recreate an atmosphere that many high school kids like me, are familiar with. 

Pretty diverse. You see characters of different ethnicities and they all fit in so naturally with the environment. None of it seems like they put a coloured person in there just to fill the quota.  

Even though in essence this story is not a mystery, it still manages to create this air of ‘i don’t know what the fuck is gonna happen’ without it overpowering the story

Soundtrack!!! The songs fit the story, the characters, the scenes and the plot so fuckin well I love it

Makes you really think about the consequences of each and every action you make and also shows how people can be aware of the consequences yet, continue to do the thing anyway because they’re assholes.

At least for me, I’m equally intrigued by each and every character. A lot of times I watch shows where I basically like only one character and i’m just like meh about the rest but here I love and hate everyone equally. Nobody is really perfect. 

13 REASONS WHY