'13 Reasons Why' season 3 may see Netflix tone down the graphic content after outcry, but in the Age of Euphoria they may lose out
In the wake of the intense flak that season one of '13 Reasons Why' received for its very graphic suicide scene of Hannah Baker, the second season aimed at toning down the explicit content. Still, season two had that brutal male-rape scene in the school's men's washroom and, in the end, nearly featured a school-shooting scene. Granted, the shooting never happened because Clay was able to talk the suspect down, but the show continued to draw flak for the reckless execution of issues as sensitive as this. This resulted in the makers deciding to cut out the suicide scene from season one, which makes one wonder how toned down will season three actually be, and whether the show will work beyond its shock value.
While Netflix has managed to keep everything under wraps about the upcoming season, we do know that the focus will be on who killed Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice). In fact, season three will begin with the premise of Bryce's murder. The trailer shows his peers reeling from the shock of his death. Everyone is a suspect because, let's be real, they all have enough reasons to murder the toxic manipulator, blackmailer, and rapist.
However, with Netflix deciding to tone down on the graphic content which managed to soar season one to such massive popularity and gained traction purely because of the shock value of its content, the questions remains if it will be able to garner the same attraction now.
Most of the criticism that seasons one and two of the show drew was based on the reckless execution of sensitive topics ranging from teen rape to suicide. With HBO's teen-drama 'Euphoria' having just culminated with its debut season, it will also be an interesting competition for Netflix to hold on to its viewers now that the graphic content is expected to be more subtle.
Granted the Zendaya starrer was way more explicit in terms of sex, violence, and nudity, focusing mostly on the harrowing battles of American teens with drug addiction, there's no denying that sensationalism sells and networks like HBO tend to get away with it.
While 'Euphoria's graphic hazing and explicit abortion scenes were praised for how real and mature the portrayal was, Netflix's '13 Reasons Why's scene of Hannah (Katherine Langford) slitting her own wrists managed to draw negative criticism like never before. We see 'Euphoria's Jules (Hunter Schafer) slitting her own wrist at a crowded high school party, but none of that was criticized.
So it wouldn't be uncalculated to estimate that season three of '13 Reasons Why' might just show Bryce getting shot and not more than that. Working purely on the plot and not leaning on the explicit content might help the show establish a firmer ground for itself in terms of maturity. And for all you know, this might be the right time to salvage the notorious reputation the show has built for itself, which even led to petitions going around for the show's cancellation.
'13 Reasons Why' season three is slated to premiere this August 23 only on Netflix.