Netflix edits graphic scene from 13 Reasons Why season 1 finale
Two years after the premiere of 13 Reasons Why, Netflix has edited the graphic scene involving Katherine Langford’s character in the 13 Reasons Why season 1 finale.
According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix has altered the suicide scene in the season 1 finale of 13 Reasons Why.
The altered scene depicts the graphic suicide of Hannah (Katherine Langford). Initially, the scene lasted nearly three minutes. It was the subject of international news stories about the depiction of suicide, and dozens of mental health professionals and doctors warned against people, especially young people, watching the show shortly after it was released.
Upon on its release, Netflix did include a warning to the viewers. However, this did not stop the controversy, as social media exploded with outcries over the graphic nature of the scenes.
Netflix and 13 Reasons Why creator, Brian Yorkey, both released statements following the announcement, via THR:
"“We’ve heard from many young people that 13 Reasons Why encourages them to start conversations about difficult issues like depression and suicide and get help – often for the first time. As we prepare to launch Season 3 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 of 13 Reasons Why to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from Season 1.”"
Netflix posted the previous quote along with the following message on their official Twitter page.
As a parent of a young daughter, I immediately stopped her from finishing the series when I discovered the intensity of this scene. I was already aware of the YA novel (by Jay Asher) and the central premise behind the series.
However, even with that knowledge, and the fact my daughter was now old enough to walk into a bookstore and buy a copy for herself, I was still terrified to discover that she was now watching the show. Why? Was I reacting to the public outcry? Was I concerned about her seeing something that she could potentially have a difficult time understanding? Or was I secretly not ready to address the real horrors shown in this story with her?
In the end, whatever the reason for my initial decision in asking her to stop, she did stop watching the show with no questions asked.
In viewing social media this morning, the reaction is mixed over Netflix’s decision, with some still not happy that show is moving forward, and others are upset that a show based around suicide is removing the horrific action essential to its story. Others have praised the decision, saying that now the show can reach more viewers and have the impact it was designed to have.
This Netflix decision and the report last week that Netflix will no longer allow smoking and tobacco products in its original productions does raise an important question. In my opinion, this decision ultimately moves Netflix closer to the Hollywood rating model—something that until this past week it hasn’t followed.
If 13 Reasons Why was a Hollywood film, the scene in question would have never made it into a PG-13 movie, so why should it be available here for young adults to consume?
I feel that altering the scene was the right call, and I know that Season 1 and 2 still have content that might not be suitable for young adults. However, the story told in 13 Reasons Why is essential and should be viewed as a horrific and cautionary tale of the world our children inhabit.
The now altered Season 1 and Season 2 of 13 Reasons Why are currently streaming on Netflix. Season 3 is set to debut later this summer.