Since Netflix’s release of inspired dramas such as House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, and Stranger things, we have been introduced to storylines, characters, and perspectives never before seen in other series on television.  Now, 13 Reasons Why, developed by Brian Yorkey, takes us on an entirely new journey through the minds of high schoolers after the death of one of their own, inflicting pain, passion, and secrets into the hearts and minds of viewers.
13 Reasons Why begins with indications of a student’s suicide at Liberty High School.  A recording of a girl’s voice plays, introduces herself as the late Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford).  Upon returning home after an exhausting day of enduring the insensitive school, Hannah’s friend Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) finds a package waiting for him.  He discovers inside are thirteen tape recordings given to him indirectly from Hannah herself with directions to listen and pass them onto the next person.  He finds that each of the tapes contains one person, or one reason, behind the death of Hannah, and only the thirteen people are instructed to listen.  
As Clay goes through each tape, he reveals the secrets and truths which surround him, both from Hannah and her reasons.  Throughout the series we meet these reasons, learning their stories and memories, some which differ from Clay’s tapes.  Clay continues to listen to them, and reveals more and more of his past with Hannah through flashbacks, each providing a piece of the puzzle of her suicide.  Further, all of the characters become influenced by a lawsuit from Hannah’s parents toward the school, in which the administrators hold their own secrets.
13 Reasons Why effectively shows the complicated nature of relationships, especially at a younger age.  While the characters of the show are riddled with hardships, the audience is reminded of the age at which they have to handle it all, only further deepening the message of mental health vs. outward appearances.  Suicide, depression, family abuse, and rape are all portrayed openly and honestly, which was troubling to watch, but was a realistic display of the painful and emotional truths of living.  
With an artistic flair in the transitions between flashbacks and current-day, 13 Reasons Why was not only intriguing with the story, inspired by the Jay Asher book of the same name, but with the entire viewing experience.  The episodes were a longer length, compromised with rapidly altering storylines and fast-paced scene structure.  The series also contains a beautiful soundtrack influenced by hits from the 70s and 80s.
13 Reasons Why was an amazing series, filled with struggles of high schoolers on a new level not explored by other shows.  The raw portrayal of emotional pain was a new, alarming, yet influential aspect to entertainment in a way that makes the audience ponder just how much they actually know about the people around them.