News

'13 Reasons Why' Removes Graphic Suicide Scene Amid Outrage

NewsPublished Jul 16, 2019
By Tanvier Peart
Katherine Langford in 13 Reasons WhyNetflix

This popular Netflix show has certainly sparked some controversy since it first premiered in 2017. And it doesn't look like the debates will be letting up anytime soon. 13 Reasons Why is changing the suicide scene from the first season in response to the backlash it has received over the years.

13 Reasons Why is a dark teen drama that centers around Hannah Baker, a 17-year-old who takes her life after horrifying events.-placeholder
13 Reasons Why is a dark teen drama that centers around Hannah Baker, a 17-year-old who takes her life after horrifying events.
Beth Dubber/Netflix

13 Reasons Why is a dark teen drama that centers around Hannah Baker, a 17-year-old who takes her life after horrifying events.

Hannah documents her life and the painful decision to die by suicide in a series of tapes that falls into the hands of her friend Clay Jensen. From bullying to false claims of hooking up, slander, and witnessing sexual assault before being raped herself, the themes in 13 Reasons Why are truly disturbing but sadly experiences many have endured in real life.

Season one ends with a minutes-long scene of Hannah sitting in a bathtub before taking a razor to her wrists.-placeholder
Season one ends with a minutes-long scene of Hannah sitting in a bathtub before taking a razor to her wrists.
Netflix

Season one ends with a minutes-long scene of Hannah sitting in a bathtub before taking a razor to her wrists.

Although there were warnings leading up to the episode, this particular scene was extremely difficult to watch. Seeing Hannah in pain -- and how graphic suicide can be -- was too much, which is why we get why some are outraged (and/or triggered).

With season three of 13 Reasons Why on the horizon, Netflix decided to edit the graphic bath scene in response to the criticism.-placeholder
With season three of 13 Reasons Why on the horizon, Netflix decided to edit the graphic bath scene in response to the criticism.
Beth Dubber/Netflix

With season three of 13 Reasons Why on the horizon, Netflix decided to edit the graphic bath scene in response to the criticism.

"We've heard from many young people that 13 Reasons Why encouraged them to start conversations about difficult issues like depression and suicide and get help -- often for the first time," Netflix mentioned in a statement about the controversial scene, The Hollywood Reporter notes.

"As we prepare to launch season three later this summer, we've been mindful about the ongoing debate around the show. So on the advice of medical experts, including Dr. Christine Moutier, chief medical officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we've decided with creator Brian Yorkey and the producers to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from season one."

Instead of showing her death, the ending of the first season of 13 Reasons Why shows Hannah's parents reacting to her death.-placeholder
Instead of showing her death, the ending of the first season of 13 Reasons Why shows Hannah's parents reacting to her death.
Netflix

Instead of showing her death, the ending of the first season of 13 Reasons Why shows Hannah's parents reacting to her death.

As THR reports, Hannah looks at herself in the mirror before the scene switches to her parents mourning her after her suicide. "There is no longer any depiction of the character taking a razor blade to her wrists and the immediate aftermath," the outlet notes. "Sources say Netflix will also monitor and issue take-downs for any pirated clips that feature the original, unedited scene."

"It was our hope, in making 13 Reasons Why into a television show, to tell a story that would help young viewers," creator Brian Yorkey said.-placeholder
"It was our hope, in making 13 Reasons Why into a television show, to tell a story that would help young viewers," creator Brian Yorkey said.
Beth Dubber/Netflix

"It was our hope, in making 13 Reasons Why into a television show, to tell a story that would help young viewers," creator Brian Yorkey said.

"Our creative intent in portraying the ugly, painful reality of suicide in such graphic detail in season one was to tell the truth about the horror of such an act and make sure no one would ever wish to emulate it," he added in a statement, The Hollywood Reporter notes.

"But as we ready to launch season three, we have heard concerns about the scene from Dr. Christine Moutier at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and others, and have agreed with Netflix to re-edit it. No one scene is more important than the life of the show and its message that we must take better care of each other. We believe this edit will help the show do the most good for the most people while mitigating any risk for especially vulnerable young viewers."

Experts say teen suicide rates have spiked since the show premiered.-placeholder
Experts say teen suicide rates have spiked since the show premiered.
Beth Dubber/Netflix

Experts say teen suicide rates have spiked since the show premiered.

A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health revealed a 28.9 percent increase in suicides among kids ages 10 to 17 one month after 13 Reasons Why aired in 2017.

Very troubling.

Here's hoping this edit will make a difference.-placeholder
Here's hoping this edit will make a difference.
Beth Dubber/Netflix

Here's hoping this edit will make a difference.

As controversial as 13 Reasons Why is, something tells us it's not going anywhere -- at least not in the near future. Hopefully, no one feels triggered to harm themselves in any way after watching this series, and if the removal of such a graphic scene helps, maybe it's for the good.

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