Season 3 of ‘13 Reasons Why’ Is More of the Same ‘Darkness, Filth and Perversion’

Netflix Still Streaming the Very Damaging Teen-Targeted Series, and Even Secular Critics Agree Continuation of the Program is Pointless

October 14, 2019

TUPELO, Miss.—Despite impassioned calls from American Family Association (AFA, www.afa.net) and other groups, Netflix has forged ahead with the teen-targeted Netflix series “13 Reasons Why.” With Season 3 streaming now and Season 4—thankfully, the final of the series—already in production,AFAhas pleaded with Netflix to drop the series that focuses on issues such as suicide, sexual assault, rape, abortion, school violence, homicide and mental illness.

AFA’s Rebecca Davis writes in a new article for AFA’s blog site The Stand that Season 3 centers on a haunting question: “Who killed Bryce Walker?” Viewers likely now know who killed the show’s monstrous jock, but many may be questioning the show’s purpose and wondering why it continues to exist.

Davis points to some of the responses from secular critics following the release of the third season:

• “[W]e’re struggling to find a reason why this show should exist at all,” wrote David Opie at DigitalSpy.com.
• “In its 13-episode third season, Netflix’s ‘13 Reasons Why’ has proved definitely that is has no reason left to exist,” said Constance Grady on Vox.com. “It is irresponsible, ridiculous, and boring too. … It’s exhausting and it’s unpleasant and it’s dangerous, and at this point, there is no reason why it should still be around.”
• “I watched Season 3 of ‘13 Reasons Why,’ and I deeply regret it,” admitted Kristin Clifford, a comedy writer for Book & Film Globe. “It was the most dreadful thing I’ve seen.”

“While AFA may not see eye to eye on the reasoning behind some of these secular responses, as someone who has reviewed all 39 episodes of ‘13 Reasons Why’—and was covered in much prayer while doing so—I do agree with their sentiments for many reasons,” Davis says.

First, the current season of the Netflix original, suicide-themed drama has the homicide of the serial rapist jock at the helm of its darkness, filth and perversion. Considering Seasons 1 and 2, it’s no surprise that the third season’s storyline is also one of death, Davis adds.

Season 1 was based on a young adult novel by Jay Asher in which teenager Hannah Baker commits suicide as an act of revenge and leaves behind 13 cassette tapes blaming people for her death. Season 2 explored a myriad of heavy topics related to the aftermath of Hannah’s death, then ended with a graphic rape scene and an attempted school shooting.

“Touted as a murder mystery, Season 3 was expected to cause less controversy than the first two seasons, but, in reality, all the show did was dig its own grave—deeper and deeper with each episode,” Davis writes. “In the second of 13 episodes, a teenage girl named Chloe is shown having an abortion, while pro-lifers are depicted as crazy and deceitful. The show’s pro-abortion, pro-death agenda is obvious.”

According to an article from BuzzFeedNews: “At a time when restrictive abortion laws are being passed across the U.S., … Anne Winters [the actress who plays Chloe] says abortion storylines on television are more important than ever, especially for young people.” Winters says it’s sad that such restrictive laws are being passed, and she believes “it’s important to highlight abortion onscreen so there’s representation of the issue in pop culture.”

“So, while the writers, producers and cast of ‘13 Reasons Why’ continue claiming that the purpose of the entire show is to foster healthy discussions about taboo topics in an effort to break the silence and save lives, they’re actually promoting death—and glorifying sin—all for the sake of controversial entertainment,” Davis says.

“All of these critics, though secular and liberal in their views, are spot-on and are voicing their concerns,” she adds. “So how much more should we as believers be speaking out against ‘13 Reasons Why’? If the commentaries on the series and the abortion scene aren’t enough to convince you that something must be done about this damaging show that is pandering to teenage emotions and fantasies, then consider some specifics of the third season.”

For example, Davis writes, the 13 plus hours of Season 3 contain, among other disturbing storylines:

• Pornographic scenes of heterosexual and homosexual teens having sex.
• A graphic discussion about a teen who was sexually molested as a child and later became a sex worker.
• Two different characters contemplating suicide.
• A teen being brutally assaulted by a former teammate who leaves him for dead before another teen throws him into a river and watches him drown.
• The magnification of toxic masculinity and extreme feminism.
• Teen drug use and addiction that is covered up and accepted.
• Parents and authority figures who are routinely clueless, oblivious and not trustworthy; thus, teens keep secrets and handle serious issues themselves, which contradicts the show’s self-proclaimed purpose.

“While AFA is glad to know the end is in sight, in terms of new content, unfortunately the dangerous series remains on Netflix,” Davis says. “That is why AFA is pressing on, now stronger than ever, urging you to join us in putting the maximum pressure on Netflix to pull all seasons of this series from its streaming service.”

AFAinvites parents, grandparents and other family members to learn more about the series and take action regarding “13 Reasons Why:”

• Read the AFA Journal story about Season 1and the impact it had on the family of Anna Bright, a 14-year-old who committed suicide after binge-watching “13 Reasons Why” and watch the heartbreaking video about Anna.                   
• Readthis blog from AFA’s The Stand for an overview of Season 2. The tragic effects of “13 Reasons Why” are very real.
• Read Rebecca Davis’ analysis of Season 3 on The Stand.
• Sign the petition to Netflix and share it as a way to warn other friends, family and church members about the dangers of “13 Reasons Why.” Thus far, more than 158,000 have signed.

View the media page for AFA here. For more information on American Family Association, visit www.afa.net or follow AFA on Facebook or on Twitter @AmericanFamAssc.

###

To interview a representative from the American Family Association, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Jeff Tolson, 610.584.1096, ext. 108, or ext. 102.