My 13 Opinions about 13 REASONS WHY Season 1

"Follow the story of teenager Clay Jensen uncovering the truth of thirteen reasons why her classmate and crush Hannah Baker killed herself - through 13 tapes she recorded before she died."

Title: 13 REASONS WHY

Year: 2017 Season: 1 Developed By: Brian Yorkey Based On: "Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher Duration per Episode: about 60 minutes Genre: Drama Starring: Katherine Langford, Dylan Minnette, Christian Navaro, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn Broadcasted By: Netflix Language: English Score: 8/10

A lot of you might be wondering why I do this review a year after the series was released. Well, here's my answer: I don't like series. And not just American or British series, every series. Yes, that includes Korean drama. I can't find the fun following people's stories for episodes. Plus, some episodes are bad, some are good, and I can't stand that. There are very few series that I've really watched from the beginning to the end, and I end up being not satisfied. So why this one? Well, I've read the book years before they decided to make it into a series, and I love it very much. I have to say it's a little disappointing at some point but I still love it. But I'm still not interested to watch the series because I thought they'll change a lot of it and I won't like it. 
A few days ago, I somehow wanted to re-read the novel, so I did. And I got curious of how Netflix described the story. Just like that, a few hours after I finished the book, I marathon the whole series in three days. And I just can't help myself to write a few things about it. 
Also, it's coincidentally 13 days until the second season of Thirteen Reasons Why is released. I seriously just finished the whole episode a few hours ago, not lying. So, for those who haven't watched it or read it, you have exactly 13 days to marathon the 13 episodes of the first season. Hopefully my review will help you decide to watch it or not.
For this one, I'm not going to separate the sections into what's good, what's not and so on because it's a little hard to break down 13 episodes like that. I've never done series review, too, so I'll just cram all my opinions about it into one list. 
I've separated the review into two sections: the first one without spoiler and the second one containing spoiler. I've put a spoiler alert warning so you'll know where to stop, spoiler-avoiders. Enjoy!

1. PREPARE FOR SOME BOREDOM BUT PREPARE FOR AWESOMENESS

I suppose series are like this. Some are good, some are bad, and eventually some has really great parts to make up for all the bad ones. To be honest, I got bored watching the first few episodes. Maybe this is also because I've read the book and I know what's coming next, sometimes disappointed with the difference from the book, sometimes just too much talking. I almost gave up in the middle, like I usually do to most series. Thankfully, I tried my best to continue aaand I'm not disappointed at all. I won't spoil the detail of my reaction but I was left with an awe after one very awesome episode ended. Couldn't even sleep for quite a while, thinking about the story over and over again. 

2. CHARACTER DIFFERENCES FROM THE BOOK

For those who don't read, this part doesn't matter at all. But I've known the book long before the series was made, so I really don't want it to be messed up even if I decided not to watch it. Well, to no surprise, some character differences did disappoint me. It happens all the time to adaptations from books, so it's quite inevitable. But to be fair, except for one character, all the other's differences aren't so bad. I actually like the way the "enhanced" most of the them. 
Also, when I read the book, everything is told from Hannah's point of view, so all I have for those in her tapes is hate. And I'm fine with that. They're told as people who did mean things. Everyone must have people in their lives that have done mean things to them. But in the series everyone's stories are explored, not just Hannah's. And it kind of makes you feel pity or even like the characters. I don't know whether I should like this or not. It did disappoint me for taking away the hate they deserve but it does also make everything else more interesting because you realize Hannah's story isn't complete without their life story as well. 

3. THE STORY DIFFERENCES FROM THE BOOK

When I watched the first episodes, I liked the book so much better (like I always do). But after that one super awesome episode, (maybe) for the first time ever, I actually like the series more. Thing is, by reading the book first, you will anticipate what's coming next and that makes everything easier to disappoint you. Any difference at all, you'll frown even just a little. And that's what happened to me during the first few episodes. "This wasn't in the book", "She doesn't have this kind of personality in the book", "These guys never even met in the book", "That definitely didn't happen in the book". In the book, in the book, and in the book. But I don't know how, I wasn't very pissed with the difference. Still pissed, but not enough to make me quit watching it or mocking it every few seconds. I still enjoy it and by every episode, I actually approve more and more to the differences. In the end, it enhances everything that was told in the book. I feel a lot more emotions than I did when I read the book. So well, in the end, I l actually love the changes they made.

4. NEW SUBPLOTS

Hmm this one is definitely a 50/50 for me. In the book, it's only about Hannah's tapes. In the series, everything else is told. I disliked this at first because I thought this is way too dramatized. Still, I understand, to create a 13 episodes series only filled with Hannah's voice isn't selling. So they have to add stories and the characters have a lot more portions than the book. I think some subplots are a little unnecessary even though in the end everything is connected and make you feel as many emotions as you can. But some subplots are smartly arranged and put to make you feel even more. I'm not mad at all to those amazing subplots that aren't in the book. Again, probably the very first time I'm not made to the series creator about the change from the book. 

5. NEW CHARACTERS

They added some new characters that aren't in the book. Not many at all, that's why I'm not pissed about it. They're actually enough to add some spices to the story. So, I approve the adding. But, one thing I'm not very happy about it: they're way too good looking. Like, model-like good looking. Maybe it's just me, but I can very much tell their differences from the main characters' appearances. It also makes them look older than a high-schooler. Well, that happens most of the times in movies or series about high school. Thankfully, almost all the main characters actually look like high-schoolers, so I'm not very, very disturbed by this.

6. COLOR CHANGES

I notice the color change very much when they switch from the flashbacks and the present time. During the immediate switching, the flashbacks are always yellow-ish cheerful and the present time is blue-ish gloomy. I think it's a very smart move to make it clear that it's a lot better when Hannah was still alive and a lot gloomier when you're left with her tapes only. 

7. THE TAPES' ORDER

It's a little different from the book and when I first heard about this, I'm really pissed. And when I finally watched it, I'm still pissed, but less pissed. After I finished, I think it's genius! Even though this isn't my first thought about the difference, but I have to admit they did a good job changing it. It definitely adds the element of surprise. This change will make those who haven't read the book extremely satisfied and surprised. I wasn't surprised because I know the change and I know eventually everyone's name that I've been expecting will be called at any moment. But I'm deeply satisfied and happy for the way it turned out. It's a really smart move to make people keep on waiting because they want to know more, including the book readers, including me. I've already expected what will happen, but I didn't even feel like that when I read the book. Very smart move, writer. 

SPOILER ALERT

Okay, so this section contains spoiler from the series and also for the book. For those who have watched and read or simply curious and okay with spoiler, continue on.

8. TONY

He's heavily featured in the series, unlike the book. At first, as usual, I disagree with this. But along the way, he helps a lot more and I'm okay with that. Thing is, I feel Tony looks a lot older than all of the others, especially when he always wears that thick black jacket that early 20s guy look good on. Not to mention, he's potrayed as a wise person, making him look even older. And his character is a bit cliche, being the mysterious guy that's always there to help. But, overall he's not bad, and in the end, I like his presence

9. CLAY GOING AROUND MAKING HIS OWN JUSTICE

By being the book reader, I dislike this a lot, because in the book, Clay is listening to everything alone and didn't try to confront anyone at all. No one tried to confront anyone face to face. They did throw rocks to Tyler's window and Tyler slipped Hannah and Courtney's photo in the book in Monet's. But apart from that, nothing else much. 

It is a lot more interesting when there are more drama and problems, not to mention, they're quite realistic. But Clay confronting everyone, for me, is too much. Because the Clay in the book isn't really someone like that. 

10. COURTNEY'S CHARACTERISTIC

Okay, I might be a little cheating by breaking down things that I've already mentioned above, but I really want to talk about this. This is the one character's personality difference that I strongly disagree. In the series, Courtney is shown to be a lesbian, and her photo with Hannah is an evidence. So she made up more rumors about Hannah to cover up her story. Watching this, you might feel pity for Courtney because she was also just trying to save herself. The series did justice by showing that she's still mean in the end, but not enough for me. 

In the book, Courtney isn't a lesbian, she's just someone who wants to be liked by everyone but doesn't want to make any special bonds like best friends. Hannah realized that Courtney was only helping her caught the Peeping Tom that night to earn her heart, to maintain her reputation as the likable girl, and then ignored Hannah again. Courtney find out that Hannah realized she was ignoring her, so she tries to make it up by asking her to come to a party with her. Well, she ruined it again after "accidentally" showing that Hannah is only her ride, she doesn't want to spend time with Hannah, and making up rumors about things that are in Hannah's drawer. And that's why I hate Courtney. She's that realistic mean girl that I sometimes find in my society. 

But then the series changed it by making her a lesbian so her action might still be seen as something okay to be done because she was saving herself. Well, it's not so bad to give a character a little justice by showing she has vulnerable sides too, but for Courtney, I just disagree. They kind of took away my favorite character to hate :(

11. SKYE'S CHARACTERISTIC

Another cheating, sorry. Well, like Tony, she isn't heavily featured in the book, but I'm actually okay that she has more parts in the series. What disturbs me is they turned her into this goth/punk-looking girl when she should be the gloomy but kind girl. It was mentioned in the book that Skye used to be attractive, cheerful, and nice before she became the gloomy girl who always wears grey or other gloomy-colored over-sized clothes. A little part of me relate to that, because I've felt sad and gloomy like her. The Skye on screen? I don't relate to her at all :( It was said in the book Skye looks like she might just be lonely and want to kill herself too, that's why Clay talked to her in the end. I don't feel it in the series. They did show her scars on her wrists, but it's not enough for me. She doesn't look like the gloomy Skye I pictured. Still, not a wrong move show a troubled person in another way. 

12. THE DISTURBING RAPE SCENES

Oh, man, how I hate rape scenes :( Maybe it's because I'm a girl and watching another girl getting raped, even though fictional, hurts me. I covered my eyes and prayed the scene of Jessica's rape will only last a while. Sadly, it lasted longer than I thought. It somehow disturbed me very much to see it. Hannah's rape scene was a little easier to watch because she didn't struggle that much in the end, making me not feel her pain too much. Meanwhile Jessica struggled and cried for help. That makes it a lot harder to watch. But it means, they did a very good job filming it, to give audience this kind of reaction. 

13. SOME INNOCENCE MISSING 

There's a lot of cursing, a lot of smartphones, and a lot more kissing and making out than in the book. To be fair, the book was released in 2007 while the series was released last year, so a lot of technology difference. I never really liked movies that heavily featured the use of smartphones (usually movies about high schoolers, like this one), but knowing it was 2017, it would be weirder if the phones aren't heavily used. And the cursing hmm 50/50, for me, I guess. The book obviously didn't put any cursing except for two "sh*t"s in it, so I didn't picture them talking like that. Again, it's 2017 and it's really realistic for them to talk like that. But I think language like that suit more in movies like Tropic Thunder or Deadpool. And the kissing and making out? I actually don't mind. It suits their personality and lifestyle so nothing weird. I'm just a little sad about Hannah and Clay's making out scene. In the book, Hannah explained it as something really innocent. They only kissed and stare at each other, no taking off clothes. But in the series, Clay takes off his clothes and they make out pretty wild. I don't protest much because it still looks sweet and it makes me cry even more after that. But just a small sadness because of how the innocence is taken away. 

NO MORE SPOILERS FROM HERE

Only conclusion about everything.
I actually didn't thought I'll like the series this much. I was expecting to be disappointed, like every other series did. Surprisingly, in the end, I actually love it, even some of the changes from the book. So, I might say this is the very first series that's ever made this kind of good impression to me. 
Little advice: read the book first (if you're a reader). If you watch the series first, the book will be way too disappointing for you because it's all about Hannah's tapes only. But if you read the book first, it's going to be upgraded when you watch it. Some disappointments, yes. But, you have to keep going and you'll love it. Well, if you're not a reader, just watch it and don't read, you'll love it too. 
About the season 2, I'm not so sure. Next time, there's nothing I can anticipate, because there's no book no.2. I don't know anything in advance and the story is decided by the series writers. Basically, they're stretching the story again, no source material. Most of the times, you guys know this, sequels are worse. And I'm a bit concerned this will be just like that. Well, I do hope they don't flop it too bad. I'll see what professional reviewers say about it and decide later on whether I should watch the season 2 or not. But for now, you guys should catch up the whole story and decide for yourself.