13 Reasons Why: Season One [DVD] [2018]

As with Riverdale this drama aimed at teenagers has a lot to offer an adult audience not least the performances of the two lead characters in the portrayal of the circumstances leading up to and the aftermath of the suicide of Hannah Baker a pupil at an unspecified High School in the U.S.A. The series has attracted considerable controversy due to the subject matter of bullying and sexual abuse and at times can be hard to watch - the 18 category certificate is there for a reason. There are thirteen episodes each of which comprise tapes made by Hannah and addressed to other individual characters explaining how they each contributed to her demise.There are serious questions to be asked as to whether teenage suicide is a suitable topic for a drama but as long as it is dealt with in a responsible fashion and not treated in any scurrilous or sensational way (which is certainly not the case here) then I for one applaud the producers' courage in making this show. I certainly learnt a lot about how adolescents treat each other in the school environment in the 21st Century where allegiances can change in an instant due to some perceived slight which either did or did not occur with any malicious intent.I understand that Netflix (who originally broadcast 13 Reasons) do not release viewing figures but there are reports that social media outlets showed widespread interest both in the States and here in the U.K. when Season 1 was originally shown to such an extent that Season 2 was commissioned and is currently airing. Season 2 is said to address further disclosures of bad behaviour being revealed following Hannah's parents pursuing a court case against the School Authorities and I will be interested to see how these are developed without trivialising the root cause of the programme's raison d'etre.Season 1 comprises English audio plus Audio Descriptive Track and English SDH subtitles.The Special Features are Hannah and Clay - An Unfinished Love Story / Justin Foley - Not Your Typical Jock / Discovering Jessica Davies / Bringing The Book To Life / 13 Things About Me / Beyond The Reasons.

... and that’s always a good thing. A fascinating look at the vile underbelly of high school life. Absolutely absorbing acting from a stellar ensemble of, mostly, unheard of, hopefully, future talents. From the opening voiceover by the doomed heroine (or perhaps victim is a better word?) to the final closing, sobering view, this is television at its very finest. And there’s cussing galore. Out of the four discs in the case there’s only one 15 certificate disc. But there’s some superb subtitles, for HOH to boot. Picture quality is really and genuinely quite awesome (especially when compared with the season two picture on the region 1 dvd I purchased from that online auction site). Dylan Minnette gives a truly terrific turn as the protagonist and he’s aided, and abetted, by a stunning turn from Katherine Langford (seen in Love, Simon). There’s nary a bum note here in any aspect of the show. But I only have given it four stars coz of the dirty lesbo face suckery in one ep. Otherwise? Enjoy. I know I did. But please to be warned: this is not an easy watch. There’s some truly stomach churning moments to get through. But it is never gratuitous and always essential to the overall story.

Liberty High student Hannah Baker has committed suicide. Schoolmate Clay Jensen comes into possession of tapes in which she details the events and people leading to this. The daily humiliations, the online bullying, the rape, those who knew but did nothing.Will Clay just sit back or attempt to get justice...?Dylan Minnette impresses as Clay, for he is not in traditional hero mode - just an ordinary student who prefers to keep out of the limelight. Now, gradually, he becomes the conscience of the school - taking on all who let Hannah down - including the well meaning but ineffectual school counsellor.With impact too is Katherine Langford as Hannah - initially so exuberant but steadily driven to despair, with nobody to turn to.This show with a mission tellingly spotlights a growing problem of our times - adolescent depression, rising suicides. Whilst trying not to sensationalize, it does not hold back on portraying a mind in freefall - especially the lasting effect on victims of rape.Convincingly portrayed is school life, communication problems between teens and their parents (Kate Walsh very moving as Hannah's mother). Only one aspect does not ring true. Surely on receiving those tapes and realizing their contents, Clay would have played them in virtually one go? Instead, for dramatic purposes in this thirteen part series, he listens to only a little at a time.The season seems self-contained - revelations surelyabout to lead to speedy appropriate action. Instead come other seasons, they apparently not nearly as effective and perhaps a mistake.Full attention is needed, the interweaving of past and present at times confusing. (It helps that Clay came off his bike in Episode 1, the bandage on his forehead a reminder when it is "now.")Most of the bonus features are well worth a look. Similar sufferers are assured they are not alone, suggestions offered about what best to do.As intended, not easy to watch - but, for increased understanding, it necessary to do so.

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My kind of mini-series, full story on builds up and come together slowly thus keeps you watching and guessing, also true to the book.

One of the best series I've ever seen, great acting, script, really moving

Granddaughters approval so all is wellif she’s happy I’m happySpeedy delivery

A brilliant series. I was totally gripped. How sad what goes on for people. Makes you think