13 reasons to watch '13 Reasons Why'

A series for teenagers that isn’t at all bad? It may be hard to believe, but Netflix has managed it. 13 Reasons Why (Por 13 razones in Spanish) is a really well-made show with more of a message than we are used to with these types of productions. What follows are 13 reasons why you should watch it:

1 For Jay Asher. This is the name of the writer whose book the Netflix show is based on. Thirteen Reasons Why was the first novel from this writer from California, who has a keen eye for youth issues. He is also the author of The Future of Us (2011) and What Light (2016).

2 For Selena Gómez. Perhaps the best-known name, though not necessarily the most important. The American actor and singer read the book when she was 16 and she was so impressed she wanted to turn it into a film. Fortunately, she came across so many obstacles that it did not come to pass. Years later and diagnosed with lupus that caused her anxiety, stress and panic attacks, she wanted to do something for her generation, which is when Netflix offered her the job of executive producer for the adaptation of the book.

3 For Tom McCarthy. The director of Spotlight (2015) was attracted to the book’s easy-going tone in dealing with such difficult subjects as suicide or sexual or emotional abuse. He directed the first two episodes of the show and an is also one of the producers, committed to creating a quality product that does not patronise the young audience it is targeted at.

4 For Brian Yorkey. The Pulitzer prize-winner and recipient of the Tony award for Next to Normal was asked to adapt the book for the screen. In doing so, he produced a mix of comedy and drama inspired by his own time at school.

5 Because suicide is not taboo. This is series that begins —and ends— with a girl’s suicide. Finally, we have a series aimed at young people that deals openly with suicide (the second cause of death among young people between 15 and 29).

6 For the bullying. This subject that is so-much in the news these days is the show’s central theme. 13 Reasons Why shows us how cruel young people can be and how it can affect their entire lives and those around them.

7 For the narration. This is not a story told in a traditional way. The whole way through, we hear the voice of Hanna Baker (Katherine Langford), the suicide victim, through cassette tapes that explain her reasons for taking her life. It makes the viewer feel a part of the story.

8 For the characters. 13 Reasons Why is a series with a lot of characters who all get their moment in the limelight. In each episode, a different side of the cassette tape is devoted to another of the pupils.

9 Because it is interesting for parents. Few parents actually know what their children experience at school, which is something that worries them and affects life at home. 13 Reasons Why deals with 21st-century adolescents, plugged into social networks, and facing issues like sexism, suicide, bullying… all largely out of sight of parents.

10 For the soundtrack. Joy Division, The Cure, Echo & The Bunnymen, The Kills, The Stand… are just some of the artists used on the soundtrack to underline the grim issues. And naturally, Selena Gómez provides the series’ main theme song.

11 For the role of the schools. It is true that it is the responsibility of schools to teach the young generation. Yet this difficult task —and here I insist on sparing a thought for the teachers— should not be limited to teaching who the Catholic Monarchs were or how to do calculus. Young people, who spend most of their time at school,also need the right tools for when they find themselves in challenging social situations.

12 A well-made series for adolescents. As pointed out above, McCarthy took charge of directing the first two episodes with the intention of creating a series for teenagers that is actually well made. Well, he and the other directors have done just that.

13 Everything has consequences. The story follows the actions of 13 characters which always affect the person in question. As the lead character says: it is the butterfly effect. The fact that a group of three friends fall out because two of them start a relationship may seem in itself a trifling fact. Yet, the story shows us how this generates other situations that lead to fateful events.