13 Reason Why has been one of the most controversial shows to hit Netflix, and sparked the series to warn viewers before and after each episode about trigger warnings. The series also has a listing of their informative websites to help those struggling or in crisis. However, what Season 2 lacks is a more realistic action in a crisis and derails from the foundation in which the series began a conversation initially. Here are reasons to skip Season 2 of 13 Reason Whys 

*****Contains Major Spoilers. Read At Your Own Discretion*****

1.  Unrealistic Conflict Resolution 

One of the pivotal moments in Season 2 revolved around the character, Tyler Down (Devin Druid). Painted as the perverted photographer in Season 1, Tyler attempted to right his wrongs and stand up to those being bullied at Liberty High School. He befriends Cyrus, an outsider like himself and together they plan pranks to get back at those responsible for Hannah Baker’s death. However, Tyler’s choice to come forward as the prankster responsible puts him at risk to one of the worst bullies of Liberty High School.

Tyler reaches a breaking point after he is graphically raped and enacts his plan for revenge. Dressing all in black while carrying a machine gun and rifle, the teen ascends on the Liberty High School dance and warns his crush of his plan to shoot up the school. Clay gets wind of Tyler’s plan and rushes out to meet Tyler before he enters the dance. He informs his friends and classmates to do the opposite of what is recommended in a school shooting (to call the police) which is exactly what they don’t do. Clay stands before Tyler with a rifle pointed to his chest and attempts to talk his friend down. In a real-life scenario, this scene would have played out differently, and it gives teen viewers false heroics and ultimately putting them and their classmates in danger.

2. The Portrayal of Mental Illness

Throughout Season 2, lead protagonist Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) struggles with the loss of Hannah Baker to the point of seeing her ghost. Clay openly has conversations with Hannah’s ghost and at one point attempts to kiss her spirit. While this may be the writers’ ploy of fanservice, not one of Clay’s friends questioned his mental health when he revealed that he sees Hannah. Even when Clay is fighting and conversing aloud with Hannah’s ghost, his parents and Justin never question Clay’s mental health or offer support to seek help.

3. Lack of Support Groups

The teens of Liberty High have gone through traumatic experiences: from suicide, rape and bullying.  The school failed once again to provide support groups or counseling services.  Instead, the school focused on brochure help aid tactics and videos to convey the messages of help. Season 1 was to set the dialogue to have tough conversations and bring high school bullying along with mental illness upfront. Season 2 should have educated and show viewers, who are suffering from rape, mental illness, suicide and bullying, on where to seek help or have a path to recovery from the trauma.

4. Sloppy Love Interest Storylines 

13 Reasons Why attempted to have light-hearted moments by sharing past and new love interest into the forefront. From Skye and Clay to Hannah and Zach. Each of these relationships made viewers cringe during screentime and ultimately hindered the storytelling especially Zach Dempsey (Ross Butler) and Hannah’s storyline.  Zach revealed during his testimony of his summer romance with Hannah. He shared intimate details that they lost their virginity to one another and only called their relationship quits due to Zach’s loyalty to Bryce. This leads fans to question Hannah in Season 1 and why this relationship, that seemed to be of importance, slipped from the illusive tapes.

Other unbelievable couples were Clay and Skye, the couple lacked chemistry and their scenes almost felt forced. Even the attempts of the two trying to take their relationship to the next level made viewers uncomfortably fast forward.

5. Lack of Hope

We get the world is shit and high school is hard. But those who have struggled with the issues presented at the forefront of the series are left feeling hopeless. From The Bakers losing their lawsuit against Liberty High School to the convicted rapist receiving little to no jail time for their crimes. The writers’ completely abandon the idea of hope. Why not have justice to some degree that will allow a conversation of change in our Judicial system? We get that the Amercian high school and the Judicial system are broken. There has been an outcry for change as we know the wealthy are able to buy off their freedom. However, there needed to be more focus on support and hope during trauma that even if the Judicial system fails us to keep fighting for justice! Instead, Mrs. Baker leaves town and moves to New York after losing her lawsuit. Jessica and Nina, after comforting one another through being victims of rape, decide to keep quiet after Bryce goes free and returns back to school as though nothing happened. Nina is revealed to have stolen the polaroids box of rape victims and later burning them. For a character that has allowed victims of rape to speak their truth on their terms, Nina goes against her own ideals and burns what is the victims’ stories.