Is HBO's 'The Idol' the new '13 Reasons Why'? How sexual assault and suicide depiction mired hit show
Warning: Graphic content, discretion advised. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
The first two episodes of HBO's 'The Idol' premiered at 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 22, 2023. It was panned by critics for its graphic sexual content and themes. The show is scheduled to start airing on HBO on June 4. It features physically and sexually violent scenes, which have been compared by a source as "torture porn."
There is no dearth of controversial TV shows in recent times. Several popular series have been slammed time and again for featuring extreme violence, sexual content, and disturbing suicide scenes. One of the most controversial series of all times is Netflix's '13 Reasons Why,' the first season of which was released on Netflix on March 31, 2017.
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The American teen drama television series was developed by Brian Yorkey and was based on the 2007 novel 'Thirteen Reasons Why' by Jay Asher. The show tells the story of high school student Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette), who struggles to move ahead in life after the the girl he loved, Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), dies by suicide. Before taking her life, Hannah leaves behind a box of cassette tapes where she details 13 reasons why she decided to kill herself. She also names people she believed were responsible for her death.
The various storylines explored a variety of social issues that affect the youth today, including severe mental health issues. It also depicts other modern-day issues such as sexual assault, substance abuse, bullying, suicide, and gun violence.
Hannah Baker's suicide scene
The show, however, has been deeply criticized for its graphic content, especially a suicide scene that was included in the first season. Among many scenes that triggered readers was one that showed in detail Hannah taking her own life and dying in a bathtub. This prompted a massive outcry across social media and among mental heath experts. In fact, multiple activists and health professionals said the scene may have led to copycat suicides among teens.
In 2019, Netflix edited the controversial suicide scene to make it less graphic. "We've heard from many young people that '13 Reasons Why' encouraged them to start conversations about difficult issues like depression and suicide and get help — often for the first time," Netflix said in a statement at the time. "As we prepare to launch season three 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 to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from season one."
Rape, drugs and bullying
Among other controversies the show found itself in the midst of were scenes that showed female characters like Hannah and Jessica Davis getting raped. While showrunners defended themselves by saying they were trying to highlight important topics, they were slammed for focusing more on Bryce Walker, the perpetrator, than the impact the assaults had on the victims. The show was also under fire for its depiction of drug culture.
'13 Reasons Why' highlighted bullying and the toxic male dominated sports culture at the school. While one can defend the content by saying these are important issues that need to be spoken about, many pointed out that it was not until season 3 that the audience saw a supportive principal letting Jessica present a damning speech on the #MeToo movement at the school assemply.
Tyler Down's sexual assault and attempted school shooting
A student at Liberty High, Tyler Down, an outcast, deals with constant bullying at the school, with Montgomery de la Cruz, or Monty, being his main tormentor. The everyday bullying leads to an incident where Tyler is horrifically sodomized with a broom handle by Monty and brutally beaten up by a group of boys. The scene, extremely graphic and difficult to watch, prompted a huge backlash.
This incident leads to Tyler attempting a school shooting, an issue plaguing America for years with multiple mass shootings claiming the lives of several children. The show was criticized for the way it handled the issue, with Clay stepping in front of his gun and preventing the massacre. Unfortunately, there was no detailed look into why Tyler made the choice or what his mental health condition was.
Monty never learned his lesson
Monty was an extremely unlikable charater, harassing and bullying students, assaulting Tyler and refusing to show any remorse for his actions, and somehow always getting away with it. It later turned out that Monty had a secret: he was gay. The series depicted Monty's struggle to come to terms with his sexuality.
Later in the story, Monty was arrested and put behind bars, and was eventually killed in prison. Angry viewers pointed out that with Monty's death, they never got to see him dealing with the consequences of his actions, or accepting and coming to terms with his own sexuality.
The show's Season 1 garnered 476 million view hours within just the first 28 days of release. Its Season 2 reached 496 million. '13 Reasons Why' continues to be widely watched, but the controveries have refused to die down over the years.
