Netflix removes graphic suicide scene from 13 Reasons Why
Season 3 of 13 Reasons Why is hitting Netflix soon but the producers have gone back to make some changes first.
The series follows the story of a teenage girl who leaves behind a series of 13 tapes describing why she was compelled to take her own life. While the show intended on focusing on important topics like bullying and rape, the show took it too far by actually showing the protagonist take her own life in a very graphic manner.
The team is working on editing the controversial - and triggering for many - scene from the first season before the release of the season 3.
The producers decided to remove the scene following advice from medical experts such as Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medical Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
The company announced its decision earlier today:
In a statement early today, a Netflix spokesperson said, “We’ve heard from many young people that 13 Reasons Why encouraged them to start conversations about difficult issues like depression and suicide... As we prepare to launch season 3 later this summer, we've been mindful about the ongoing debate around the show."
"On the advice of medical experts... we've decided with creator Brian Yorkey to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from Season 1."
The show's creator, Brian Yorkey, added to the reasoning, clarifying the creative intent of the scene and why it is okay for them to remove it.
Writes the creator, "Our creative intent in portraying the ugly, painful reality of suicide in such graphic detail in Season 1 was to tell the truth about the horror of such an act and make sure no one would ever wish to emulate it."
"No one scene is more important than the life of the show... We believe this edit will help the show do the most good for the most people while mitigating any risk for especially vulnerable young viewers."
While critically acclaimed, the show has drawn criticism from pressure groups and organizations including the Parents Television Council (PTC), which claims the show glorifies teen suicide, and airs triggering content which is unsuitable for young audiences, and people going through mental health issues