Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why Season Four Review

Over recent years it has become increasingly evident that Netflix pushes their television content for the sake of quantity over quality. Any series that brings a positive return on investment, whether it be accolades or viewing numbers, automatically gets a renewal regardless of if the creators have a plan for a following season. This can be seen in the deteriorating quality of any series as they are pushed beyond their initial structure most notably with House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. However, it seems the crown for fastest spiral goes to Netflix’s staple teen drama 13 Reasons Why as it finishes off what can be considered a terrible, forgettable and pointless fourth season. (Check out our reviews of season two and three)

The main story this time around revolves around the senior year of Liberty High’s infamous class as they prepare for graduation. Each of the characters, both returning and new, are dealing with the stress, PTSD and secrets of a lifetime condensed into one year of school. They fight, there’s drama and someone dies, the question is: who will survive high school? Meanwhile, at the centre of any good series there needs to be two things: strong characters and a consistent tone. Everything else can fluctuate from season-to-season so long as it never hits the point of no return. Unfortunately, 13 Reasons Why pushed beyond its source material for three additional gruelling seasons, dismantling its characters and introducing some truly bland ones along the way. In the end, the tone was its true downfall. Beginning as a conversation-starting teen drama, the series then shifted to courtroom drama then a murder mystery a la How to Get Away With Murder to finally finish on the worst of them all: a hollow, uninspired psychological thriller.

In this slightly shortened 10-episode season, the writers have decided to fully embrace every trauma imaginable for the students from season one. They continually suffer from hallucinations, panic attacks, angry outbursts and visit the resident shrink named Dr. Robert Ellman (Gary Sinise providing the only positive of the season). The worst part was how the series acts as if these characters can do no wrong. Whether it’s a car crash, utter threats in front of the entire class, almost drowning, a school shooter scenario… Every time they are let off easily because they are the “good guys,” the victims of trauma that has cursed Liberty High for the past four years and it just continues to paint a terrible picture for this series.

The season tries really hard to infuse new important themes into its overarching message including oppression, childhood trauma, PTSD, school shootings, substance abuse and terminal illness, but it is so focused on its truly unlovable characters that it fails to make an impact. These characters are more concerned with loyalty to protect their own skin rather than friendship that it destroys any sort of relationship between them. It’s as if everyone is having their own conversations talking at one another rather than creating a discussion on these issues.

13 Reasons Why has become stale with nothing left to say and no room to grow. This has been the case for the past 2 and a half seasons heading on a downward spiral of unnecessary stories that make this series feel less important to its initial message. This culminates bittersweetly into the worst message it could possibly send in its final moments ripping any last chance at hope from its audience like a rug from straight under their feet.

So in conclusion, here are 13 reasons why this season of 13 Reasons Why was the worst of them all:

1. The showrunners for some reason believed that these stories were interesting enough to push beyond even Netflix’s already long episode running times of 50ish minutes. They were not as it was a grind to push through even 10 episodes.
2. The new characters bring absolutely nothing to the story. They are instantly forgettable, one-dimensional fillers trying to replace original characters that were previously killed off.
3. The characterization of Clay as a likeable, good person. Yes he has his problems and guilt/PTSD has been taking a toll on him but any lead character needs to be defined as more than a cycle of narcissism, failed romance, panic attacks, anger outbursts, counselling, repeat.
4. Alex has become a terrible character. He complains about his inability to attract any women, but manages to attract every gay or bi man in the series by… complaining about being unable to attract women? Makes zero sense.
5. Jessica is an oxymoron.
6. The unrealistic use of the active shooter drill where students and faculty where unaware of the situation. Pretty sure that could create long-term trauma and by extension legal issues for the school.
7. The overuse of teen sex. Understand the commentary on it relating to certain issues, but some of it goes over the line.
8. Who are these actors fooling playing teenagers? Zach (Ross Butler) is turning 30, he’s practically double the age!
9. All of these characters seem to have a death wish and will stop at nothing to fulfill it. Is that the message that this show should be sending?
10. Going back to the same themes yet merely glossing over them to avoid making an actual statement and ruffling feathers.
11. The constant jumping to a new storyline without any proper closure on the previous one. It feels inconsistent and lacks cohesiveness.
12. The series finale is abysmal in its entire decision for the fate of one of its characters sending an awfully bleak message.
13. How can the series possibly have Clay continually deal with hallucinations of Monty and Bryce, but only include a moment of Hannah Baker? Her death haunted him from season one and yet he never sees her. It felt illogical that she wasn’t included in his shooter drill hallucinations. Maybe it would’ve taken away from her impact in the finale, but choice appearances throughout the season could have helped show Clay’s true descent.

What did you think of the final season of 13 Reasons Why? Let me know in the comments!

*still courtesy of Netflix*

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Dylan Phillips