MARIAH's THOUGHTS on 13 Reasons Why Season 1 Episode 2 - "Tape 1, Side B"

About the Show:

After a teenage girl's perplexing suicide, a classmate receives a series of tapes that unravel the mystery of her tragic choice.
source

Network:
Netflix

Genre:
Young Adult

Crime Drama/Mystery

Rating:

TV-MA

Created by:

Brian Yorkey

Series based on:

Thirteen Reasons Why

Based on the Novel Written by:

Jay Asher

Social Media:

   

Cast:

Dylan Minnette – Clay Jensen

Katherine Langford – Hannah Baker

Christian Navarro - Tony

Brandon Flynn – Justin

Jutsin Prentice - Bryce

Kate Walsh – Mrs. Baker

See Full List of Cast & Crew on IMDB

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Episode 2: "Tape 1, Side B"

Hannah makes friends with Jessica and Alex, two other new students. Justin doesn't show up at school, and Hannah's mother finds something troubling.

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My Thoughts

Note: This review contains spoilers

Friendship is complicated, and, in episode two, Hannah makes new friends with Alex and Jessica. The drama continues as 13 Reasons Why explores all types of relationships. It continues to make the audience relive high school experiences, both happy and unhappy. At first, it was Hannah’s first kiss, how rumors start, and now, Hannah’s new best friend(s). It starts out normally, as the three bond over their “new kid in school” status and get to know each other more. But nothing is ever what it seems. This episode delves into Hannah being the third wheel because Alex and Jessica start dating. Does no one recognize what friendship is anymore?

The actor’s performances are nothing to scoff at. Langford’s performance truly made me feel shame or pain, as if I were in Hannah or Jessica’s shoes, ending their friendship. But the thing that bugs me frequently is scenes with Clay. They maintain a neutral mood, which makes sense to me, because he is a shy boy who is (simply) listening to the tapes of his deceased friend. As an audience member, I rely on Minnette’s facial expressions of pain and confusion to help me understand what Clay may be thinking.

The costume designs and background bring back the moods between hope or joy and then to dread. Jessica, Alex, and Justin look like a mess after Hannah’s death and Clay is just confused about his involvement in Hannah’s suicide.

An interesting add on to 13 Reasons Why, are the extra relationships. Instead of focusing on Hannah’s tapes, I saw Jessica and Justin worried about Clay leaking the tapes. I don’t particularly remember reading this in the book but it adds a nice flare to increase the drama. Since that’s all I can bring up from side B of the first tape, I’ll just have to keep listening/watching to know more.