Spoiler-Free Review of “13 Reasons Why” Season 4 on Netflix: High School is Over

**Major spoilers have been left out for your convenience so feel free to read on!**

“Life is a pretty spectacular thing.”

The final season of 13 Reasons Why premiered on Netflix on June 5th 2020 with 10 new episodes (Approximately 58 minutes in length) in season 4. It stars Dylan Minnette, Christian Navarro, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn, and Miles Heizer.

The show is based on the novel written by Jay Asher. It follows a young high school student who suffers from depression after dealing with bullying and betrayal. The series allowed us to see things from Hannah Baker’s perspective in the first season, but the other seasons focused more on the lives of her friends and family members as they coped with grief and other significant changes.

If you are a fan of this show, then you know that it is like nothing else you have ever seen. It tackles a lot of important and sensitive issues without holding anything back. When the show first premiered, there was a lot of controversy surrounding it and there are several warnings that come up before each episode that should not be ignored.

Coming to the end of a brilliant series is not easily done, but does 13 Reasons Why give our beloved characters the proper farewell they deserve? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

13 Reasons Why s 4 Netflix 1
Images courtesy of Netflix

Moving performances by Dylan Minnette, Alisha Boe, and Brandon Flynn.

The entire cast is great, but this trio really gives us some heart-wrenching moments that will have you in tears. They are real, believable, and thought-provoking. You can truly empathize with them. You can easily imagine them as your own best friend or brother or sister. In a way, we have really watched them grow up on screen. 

When I first started the series, I had mixed thoughts on all of the characters and while Clay Jensen stole our hearts and compassion from the very start, Justin and Jessica really went through important character transformations throughout the series.

13 Reasons Why S 4 Netflix 2
Images courtesy of Netflix

Proper goodbyes.

A lot of series don’t really get the chance to give each and every one of their characters a proper send off. Some series are canceled too early and others drag things out too much. However, I thought that 13 Reasons Why did a really great job of allowing us to truly say farewell to each character.

High School can often feel like the end and unfortunately, it is the absolute end for some of our beloved characters. But for others, it is just the beginning of their journey and we can all relate to that.

While some characters discovered new relationships and passions, others went down dark roads of despair. But each one got enough screen time so that we could appreciate and understand their growth. Not just in high school, but in life.

13 Reasons Why S 4 Netflix 3
Images courtesy of Netflix

Episode 6

Each episode gave us some tropes about the end of high school. We got to witness a senior camping trip, college interviews, the prom, and graduation. However, I thought that episode 6 almost could have been a standalone for the series.

It was so intense and it really brought me back to that same feel I had while watching season 1, which I appreciated. Again, the warnings should not be ignored on this series and I strongly recommend watching it with someone else, but I thought the writing and direction for this particular episode was brilliant.

The Cons:

13 Reasons Why S 4 Netflix 4

Unsure of its plot.

A lot of season 4 focuses on Clay’s anxiety, especially after coping with what happened to Bryce and Monty. It is not easy to personify mental illness, but I could have done without the cheesy horror effects sprinkled in. They were kind of distracting and it took away from Clay’s actual issues. I thought it would have been better to stick with Clay’s revealing conversations with his therapist, which were extremely well done.

I’m still also not sure what the main plot was. Season 4 was kind of all over the place in certain aspects. In season 1, we focused on Hannah. In season 2, we looked at things from other eyes. In season 3, we watched things from a newcomer and also focused on a murder. However, season 4 didn’t really have much of a plot.

There were moments of pure brilliance and some really heartbreaking ones that still have me in tears, but I guess I was hoping for something to really captivate my attention like with the other seasons.

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Images courtesy of Netflix

Jessica Davis deserved more.

Jessica’s character transformation across the seasons has really been something spectacular. In season 3, she really embraced her strength and identity as a woman and became a leader. However, in season 4, she still talks a lot about these issues, but we spend too much time tangling her up in a love triangle that was unnecessary.

Jessica has been in toxic relationships, but she has also discovered her individuality. I just didn’t want that completely tainted and I thought that we could have moved away from the love triangle plot all together.

So am I in or out?

13 Reasons Why S 4 6 Netflix
Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in because I have a lot of respect for this show. There are a lot of teen dramas around that skim over important issues and I really thought that this particular one dove right in without censors. There are some moments throughout the show that are extremely difficult to watch, but sometimes we need to watch them in order to process all of these important issues in our lives.

The world can be scary and overwhelming and 13 Reasons Why reminded us that through all of the grief and difficult moments, there are also really beautiful ones as well and that life is worth living. While I had some personal preferences and issues with the final season, I will forever be a fan of this show.

It’s one of a kind and something that will stand the test of time for me.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on 13 Reasons Why in the comments section below.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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My Ship of the week ending 8/31/19 on TV goes to…

Justin and Jessica on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why season 3.  So normally when I do these posts, there is something really swoon-worthy, passionate, or epic between a ship and I fall head-over-heels in love with them, but I am honestly really conflicted about this ship, but I still think it is worth a mention and perhaps a deeper discussion.  Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.

In a lot of ways, Justin and Jessica have a toxic relationship and I didn’t really want to root for them after what was uncovered in season 1.  In season 3, Jessica is really finding her voice as a survivor and she is trying to get others to accept change, but she is also exploring her own sexual identity again, which is not easy to do. 

Jessica knows that it is wrong to be with Justin because she initially wants to keep their relationship a secret.  That being said, these two have some beyond sexy moments in season 3 and it’s hard to ignore the passion that has been sparked between them.

As season 3 continues, Justin even starts to recognize that perhaps Jessica is better off without him.  Justin is an addict and they are both broken so this thought process actually makes sense to me, except perhaps throw in a little open honesty.  Jessica continues to stand by Justin’s side and tells him, “Your shit is my shit.”  Perhaps she could have chosen some other words here, but she gets her point across, reminding Justin that she has his back always and Justin would do anything for Jessica.

At the end of season 3, I was left wondering if this ship truly has the potential to make it and I’m honestly not sure.  I personally think that Justin needs to actually deal with his addiction and recover from that before he can even attempt to be in a relationship.  Jessica is strong and powerful, but she is also still broken in a lot of ways and will she every truly be able to get over the past when she looks at Justin?

What’s next for Justin and Jessica?  I’m honestly not sure what season 4 holds for these two, but I am trying to keep an open mind.  I guess what I actually ship here is the potential for something real in the future rather than the present state of their relationship.

Maybe it will never happen and maybe it’s not meant to, but I can’t ignore the chemistry and friendship between these two and they do have some really adorable moments together.  I just think that they both need to find out who they are apart…and if their paths cross again in the future and they are ready to give it a try, perhaps this can be the start of a beautiful relationship.

What are YOUR thoughts on Justin and Jessica?  Toxic and unstable or charming and sweet?

Stay tuned for a recognized Ship on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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Have a Ship that you think is absolutely swoon-worthy? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?  Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery?  Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I really hope you enjoy!

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My performance of the week ending 8/24/19 on TV goes to…

Alisha Boe as Jessica Davis on Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why season 3.  One of the biggest character transformations on the series belongs to Jessica Davis.  While Jessica was already making such an impact on me in season 2 with her courage, she is not holding anything back in season 3.  Please note major spoilers have been left out for your convenience.

While I am only three episodes into the new season, Alisha Boe is already impressing me with her realistic and heart-wrenching performance as Jessica.  Jessica is absolutely a girl with so much untapped power and strength within her and she is now demanding change at her school.  When she runs for class president, it’s about more than being a leader or doing something that looks good for college applications.  Jessica wants to bring about real change in the students there and she is willing to fight for what is right.

Ani, the new character on the show, notices the power surging within Jessica from her first real encounter with her, informing her that she is a woman with power who finally knows what to do with it.  Jessica is also exploring her sexual identity further, learning how to love herself again after her traumatic experience, which is far from easy to do.

There is a moment of sheer vulnerability when Jessica undresses in front of the mirror.  While she is hesitant about what she sees in front of her, Jessica tries her best to love and appreciate her body.  With each day, she is getting stronger and stronger and she is inspiring others around her.  Jessica has been broken for so long, but the woman I see in season 3 is strong and fearless.  She may not be making all the right calls, but she is no longer staying quiet and I think that is extremely powerful.

What’s next for Jessica?  We’ll have to wait and see, as I still have 10 episodes left of season 3 to binge-watch and I have already seen some interesting theories floating around.  I’m trying not to spoil anything for myself, but I’m hoping that Jessica can continue to channel her inner strength.  Has her search for power gone too far?  I’m not so sure, but I absolutely admire her for being courageous enough to stand up for herself and other victims and I’m truly hoping she hasn’t made an irrevocable mistake.

So far it’s an interesting start to season 3 and I am still adjusting to the narration from new character, Ani, as I have a feeling we have a lot left to uncover about her as well, but I am continuing to root for Jessica and I hope that she learns to truly accept the love around her because she deserves it and is beyond worthy.

Stay tuned for a recognized performance on TV each week!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Have a performance on TV that you think is simply outstanding? Feel free to contact me with your nomination for the week by Friday at midnight! 

**Do you love television shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Once Upon a Time, Lost, Charmed, The Vampire Diaries, and Supernatural?  Do you enjoy dark fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, horror, and mystery?  Then you may like my book series, Dreaming of Wonderland…available on Amazon!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I really hope you enjoy!

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Ranking my top television shows of 2018 on Netflix: Binge-watching throughout the year!

Greetings TV Fans!  While I have not gotten a chance to binge-watch every show on Netflix, I did have time to catch up on quite a few series from 2018 while I anxiously wait for new episodes to return.  While some old favorites of mine didn’t quite make the cut with their new seasons, other new series pleasantly surprised me.  Netflix has done a good job of successfully providing me with the binge-watching we all crave once in a while with its lineup.  Who am I kidding…all the time! 

My top television shows streaming on Netflix for 2018 are:

5. 13 Reasons Why (season 2)

4. Orange Is the New Black (season 6)

3. Ozark (season 2)

2. The Haunting of Hill House

1. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

While I am a devoted fan to 13 Reasons Why and OITNB, I was absolutely loving Netflix’s addition of some horror television series this past year.  The Haunting of Hill House was not loved by all, but I thought that it combined the perfect amount of bone-chilling moments with heartwarming ones.  My absolute favorite series on Netflix for the past year has to go to Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, which was deliciously dark with just the right amount of Riverdale pop mixed in.  I was also impressed with Ozark season 2, which had me hooked even more than season 1!

Honorable mentions:

Daredevil (season 3)

Tidelands

While nothing will compare to season 1 of Daredevil for me, I was impressed with season 3.  While it was slow moving in the beginning, it really picked up steam halfway through and allowed us to finally explore Karen Page’s character further, while also introducing us to a formidable villain.  Tidelands is your new guilty pleasure.  Trust me.  Sure, it may be filled with unnecessary fluff, but it’s the perfect weekend escape if you are looking for something light, sexy, and fun!

Disappointments:

Jessica Jones (season 2)

Insatiable

I absolutely loved the first season of Jessica Jones and I was very disappointed with season 2.  The entire season was slow moving for me and I am not sure if I can continue watching for season 3, but I will try and give it a chance.  I was also so excited to watch Insatiable, especially because I am a huge Alyssa Milano fan, but I found that the plot was all over the place.  The show had the potential to become a new cult classic, but it almost seemed unsure of its direction.  I will give season 2 a chance, but I’m looking for something that actually captures the dark humor that I crave.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own comments and thoughts about your favorite television shows on Netflix from 2018.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

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When Kallie Bennett, a jaded teenage girl plagued by her alcoholic mother and her peers molded out of sheer bubble gum perfection, chases after Alice in Wonderland herself, she ends up lost in her own version of Wonderland, which forces her to face her utmost fears and introduces her to familiar characters with a dark twist. Among these characters is Ches, a gorgeous vampire with a conflicted conscience, who becomes Kallie’s guide and blossoming love interest. She also crosses paths with Queen Hartley, a manipulative witch who has the power to strip away one’s memories and imagination, which brings a bone chilling new meaning to “off with their heads.” In The Search for Alice, Kallie starts to realize that her Wonderland is just as frightening as her own reality and that she cannot always run away from her problems. She must figure out a way to defeat Queen Hartley and return home before it is too late, but she soon learns that escaping Wonderland means leaving Ches behind forever.

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Ranking the top 5 moments from “The Affair” season 4 episode 5: “Take Care of your Mind, Body, and Soul”

Happy Monday TV fans!  After watching Showtime’s The Affair last night, I learned that we sometimes have to go back to the past and walk in the steps of those before us in order to truly know which path to take for our own future.  We may find answers to a mystery that we never even knew existed or realize that we have never made a single choice for ourselves, but what we do next can help determine who we are and who we can still become.  We don’t have to travel across the country to find it, but sometimes we need to escape just for a little while to listen to our heart and find out what or who it truly desires.  Please note spoilers are ahead if you have not gotten a chance to watch the latest episode yet.  In last night’s episode, “405,” Cole journeys to Morro Bay, California to find out more about his father’s surfboard, but meets someone unexpected from his father’s past who will potentially change his future.  Meanwhile, Vik feels like his whole world is crashing down around him, desperate to turn off the reality of his situation and live in the moment.  My top 5 moments from The Affair season 4 episode 5 are:

5

“I can’t do it alone.”

Part one of the episode opens up with Vik and it was refreshing to see things from his perspective.  Typically when we learn anything about Vik, it is from Helen’s eyes, so this was a nice change.  Vik certainly has a lot on his plate, as he has just found out that he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer and is looking for some way to give his short life meaning.  After trying to talk to his parents, his father asks him, “Why do you have to be so cruel?”  Vik is merely trying to let his parents know about his life insurance policy and prepare them for the inevitable, but they don’t want to hear the truth about his situation.  Vik hopes to have better luck with Helen and is disappointed when the fertility doctor explains that their situation has not improved in order for Helen to have a baby.  Helen admits that she has not been giving herself the shots as much as she should because she really doesn’t want to have a baby in a world without Vik.  While one can understand where Helen is coming from, who already has four children, Vik is crushed by this and is angry that Helen has lied to him once again. 

4

“I haven’t made a single choice for myself.”

After realizing that his day isn’t going to get any better, Vik decides not to return to work at the hospital and instead buys a fancy Porsche with no hesitation.  After going off on his neighbor, Sierra, for leaving her garbage can out again, Sierra is distracted by his new shiny car and suggests that they take it for a ride.  After testing out how fast the car can go, Vik gets pulled over and starts laughing when the cop tells him that they could have gotten killed.  He blurts out that he has stage 4 cancer and the cop reminds him this isn’t the first time he has heard this from someone.  Vik tells him, “so write me a ticket then,” not caring about the consequences of his actions, as Sierra is shocked to find out that that Vik is dying.  Vik later returns to Sierra’s home and the two talk about their lives and Vik comes to the realization that every single choice he has made has been for his parents.  He finally makes a decision for himself when he decides to sleep with Sierra, but will he be able to tell Helen what happened?  Vik is all about living in the moment right now, but what happens when reality begins to set in again?

3

“I come with the room.”

In part two, Cole travels out to Morro Bay, California and meets the beautiful and mysterious, Delphine, played by the brilliant Phoebe Tonkin.  Cole initially declines her forward advances, but eventually gives in to temptation after the two of them bond later in the episode.  Cole recognizes that his affair with Delphine is fleeting and temporary and she is perfectly OK with that, explaining that Cole doesn’t need to apologize to her because it was something she wanted.  Even though Cole will probably never see Delphine again, it’s clear that she has had an impact to him, opening his eyes to the truth that he kept hidden away for so long.

2

“You look so much like someone I used to know.”

Perhaps the biggest surprise for Cole is that he meets Nan, who is beyond shocked when Cole walks through the doors of the Perino Gallery.  Cole discovers that Nan is the one who made his father’s surfboard and quickly learns that they also had an affair for a summer.  Nan is very welcoming to Cole and has a free spirit charm that is endearing.  She confides in Cole about his father and tells him that he was adventurous, which drastically differs from Cole’s own memories about his father, who he described as “emotionally depressed.”  After revealing that his father died many years back, Nan is beyond upset.  Cole realizes that their affair was not meaningless, as Nan truly loved his father.  She shows Cole the love letters that she continued to write him for 10 years after he went back home and Cole starts to see everything with fresh new eyes.  Nan explains that she thought of Cole’s father, Gabriel, as her soul mate and her destiny.  She shows him that the symbol on his surfboard contains their initials, intertwined for eternity.  You can see the love in Nan’s eyes when she talks about Gabriel, as she tells Cole that he called her “wild eyes” and said that he didn’t know that women like her existed in the world.  Nan admits to Cole that they wanted different things and that she has no regrets, but that he had to return home because Cherry was pregnant and threatened to kill herself.  Cole is shocked to learn this, but Nan explains that she tried to do an “exorcism” of sorts through letters to give Gabriel the opportunity to free himself from her and move on with his life.

1

“Take care of your mind, body, and soul.”

After learning about the “exorcism” that Nan describes, Cole takes this opportunity to try it out for himself and to use it on his own feelings for Alison.  Nan reads each of the five letters to him, which are assigned with a task and asks Delphine to be his guide through this experience.  The letters start off with tasks like finding something in nature that has the scent of the one you love and writing down everything you love about that person.  It then escalates to burning these items along with the scent and stating out loud everything you hate that you associate with them.  Cole finally allows his emotions and feelings to reach the surface and his words are beyond moving.  He finally says that, “I hate that you gave up on me and I hate that I can’t give up on you.”  Delphine reminds him to state his intention as he says these words and burns everything and he finally says, “I want to be free of you.”  During Cole’s “exorcism” of his feelings for Alison, the song, “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron is playing in the background.  If you have ever seen the show, “13 Reasons Why,” this is the song that played when Clay and Hannah danced together and it instantly tugs at your emotions and you will find yourself crying before you know it.  You can listen to the song here.  This song was the perfect soundtrack to Cole’s “exorcism,” as he allows himself to try and be free of Alison, but tells Nan the next day that he only feels worse and it didn’t work.  Nan tries to tell him it worked for his father because the last task was to send back the letters and she has them.  Cole looks closely at the postmark and tells Nan that his father never sent them, as it was postmarked two years after he died.  He realizes that Cherry must have found them and sent them back to Nan, crushing her hope that Gabriel’s love for her still existed.  Cole explains that his father hung himself on his 10th birthday, just a couple of weeks after the last letter arrived.

This moment is heartbreaking, but Nan finally learns the truth that Gabriel’s love for her never burned out and Cole now understands that he is still in love with Alison and that he needs to tell her how he feels before it’s too late.  Delphine tells Cole to “take care of his mind, body, and soul,” before he goes and Cole thanks his father, as he leaves Morro Bay behind.  After watching this episode, I almost wish that part two was the entire episode, but I do think it is important that we saw what is going on with Vik as well.  That being said, part two of the episode was so beautifully written and well executed and may have been one of the most beautiful moments I have ever seen on the show.  Now that we know how Cole feels about Alison, will she return his love before it’s too late?  Does Cole get a chance to tell Alison that he loves her before she goes missing?  Stay tuned, as things continue to heat up each week!

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on The Affair below in the comments section.  Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support! 

I am so excited to announce that my book, The Search for Alice, is now available!  If you enjoy fairy-tale retellings, paranormal romance, and mystery, then this might be the book for you or someone you know!  Thank you for taking the time to check it out and I appreciate any feedback as well.  I hope you enjoy!

The Search for Alice is available here!

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13 Reasons Why you should watch “13 Reasons Why” Season 2

If you’re a devoted television fan like me, then I’m sure you have heard of the Netflix show, 13 Reasons Why.  Last year I spent an entire day binge-watching the first season and I have to say that it had me laughing, crying, and shocked more than I thought possible.  I do recommend that you read the warnings before each episode, as some of the content can be emotionally disturbing.

Having said that, the characters on this show are so real and it’s hard not to connect to their stories and dive into their world.  Our hearts break for some characters and we find ourselves angry at others, but we learn that “everyone affects everyone” in some way or another and it’s up to us to decide how we are going to behave and who we are going to become in the process.  It may be difficult to step out of a label or an expectation, but doing the right thing and supporting the people around us is so much more important.

While season 1 focuses primarily on Hannah Baker’s story, season 2 gives us the chance to see what happened from other perspectives, as unlikely heroes emerge and second chances are presented.  Please note major spoilers are ahead.  My top 13 reasons to check out 13 Reasons Why season 2 are: 

 

13

Clay gets a tattoo.

In the beginning of season 2, Clay is still with Skye and we learn that it has been 5 months since Hannah committed suicide.  Clay decides to get a semicolon tattoo, but ends up passing out.  As a result, he has a “fucking comma.”  Skye has emotional problems of her own and ends up moving away, but is an important influence on Clay’s life.  At the end of the season, Clay returns to finish the tattoo.  The semicolon symbol is important, representing another way to continue a sentence, rather than end it simply with a period.  This can be true about a sentence, a story, and about one’s life.  Selena Gomez and several of the actors on 13 Reasons Why have gotten the same tattoo and have discussed its message and significance.  The tattoo marks the beginning of Clay’s new journey, as he tries to deal with his life without Hannah.  No one said it would be easy, but Clay is ready to move on.

12

“There’s always another side to every story.”

Part of what makes season 2 so great is that we get to see what happened from different perspectives.  In season 1, everything we learned was mostly through Hannah’s eyes.  However, season 2 allows us to explore more of that story and understand how her suicide has truly impacted those around her.  For example, we learn that Zach actually had a summer romance with Hannah and had real and true feelings for her.

11

Clay is still seeing Hannah.

It’s hard not to root for Clay and want the very best for him.  Clay’s world is still falling apart, even though he has tried to move on.  He begins seeing Hannah and even has full conversations with her throughout season 2.  Clay clearly understands that Hannah is gone, but his loneliness is sometimes too much to handle and it seems to bring him some sort of comfort to talk out loud to her.  While this allows us to see more of Hannah Baker, the real emphasis here is on Clay and him trying to make sense of his life and figure out a healthy way to move on and still get justice for Hannah.

10

“Feeling the pain and facing it.  That takes courage.”

Hannah’s mother, Mrs. Baker is dealing with quite a lot.  Her daughter is gone, her husband is filing for divorce, and she is consumed by the trial against the school.  It’s difficult to sit through the trial as some witnesses tell a truth that is difficult to hear, while others completely lie.  Later on we learn that Hannah was responsible for bullying a girl at her old school.  Hannah wasn’t perfect, but Mrs. Baker’s love for her is unconditional and like Clay, she desperately wants justice for her daughter.  Mrs. Baker does have a second chance to make things right, as she becomes an important influence for both Jessica and Alex.  While Mrs. Baker may not have been able to save Hannah, she has the opportunity here to make a real difference with two kids in pain.

9

Alex puts the pieces back together.

At the end of season 1, Alex shot himself in the head, but did survive.  It’s difficult for him to walk and he has lost huge chunks of his memory, but he is determined to put the pieces back together.  He even listens to the tapes again, which eventually Clay leaks out to everyone anonymously so that they can learn what truly happened.  In episode 11, a huge fight breaks out and Alex begins to remember things, like Monty’s part in all of this.  He refuses to sit by on the sidelines and becomes a character you can truly relate to.

8

“Love as infinity.”

In one of my favorite moments of season 2, Clay and Hannah are lying on the floor and looking up at the ceiling.  They discuss the concept of infinity and how to understand it and Hannah suggests that “maybe that’s how we understand it.  Love that goes on forever.”  In this moment, it’s like the entire world has stopped and it’s just Clay and Hannah.  Clay’s love for Hannah is beautiful and transcendent.  This is a memory he can always hold on to forever, suggesting that her words are actually spot on.

7

Unlikely heroes step forward.

Characters like Mr. Porter, Justin, and Zach all get second chances in season 2.  Mr. Porter breaks down in court and even though he did everything he could according to policy, he feels like he could have done more.  He ultimately loses his job, but his words are important and he tries to make a difference in as many lives as he can.  While he feels like he let Hannah down, he has a second chance to make it right.  Justin has been living on the streets and Clay finds him and lets him stay at his house secretly.  Justin has an addiction to heroin and has been dealing with quite a lot, but he is able to do the right thing and tell the court and the police what he saw Bryce do to Jessica.  While Justin has consequences of his own because of his involvement, he is willing to do the right thing and become someone to be proud of.  When Clay tells Justin that his family wants to adopt him, it looks like he can finally get the second chance he deserves.  Now he just needs to kick that nasty drug habit.  Zach is another character who becomes an unlikely hero.  Even when he was with Hannah, he was a coward and allowed Bryce and the others to make fun of her.  Zach finally breaks out of this and stands against Bryce.  In the huge fight in episode 11, he finally picks a side.  Zach is an important character because he reminds us that sometimes it’s easier to do nothing and stay quiet, but taking a stand takes real courage and can shape us into who we are meant to be.

6

“Some people will still blame others.”

While many of the characters are trying to pick up the pieces and move on, poor Tyler is having a rough go at it.  While it’s easy to dislike Bryce who refuses to believe that he is wrong, a character like Monty can be even more dangerous.  Monty’s actions are cruel and disturbing.  In a graphic sexual assault, Monty does the unthinkable to Tyler.  The rape scene in the bathroom is extremely difficult to watch.  Tyler is traumatized and is looking to take revenge against his classmates as a result of this.  Even though unlikely heroes have emerged, there are still bullies and villains present, refusing to take a hard look in the mirror to see what they have done.  Bryce and Monty have destroyed lives with their actions.  But will they ever truly try to make amends?

5

Justice for Jessica.

Jessica is having a very difficult time coping and is unable to name Bryce throughout most of season 2.  After Justin comes forward, Jessica is able to finally file a police report.  Even though Bryce gets off with 3 months probation, she no longer needs to hide from the truth.  Jessica learns how to live her life without being defined by something that happened to her and to step forward for those who can’t.  For example, Chloe has the opportunity to speak out against Bryce and can’t go through with it.  However, Chloe has another problem to deal with, as she confides in Jessica that she is pregnant.  Jessica is also able to get justice for Hannah in this moment as well, who never got the chance to speak out against Bryce.  Even though the trial ends with ruling in favor of the school, what happened to Hannah is not to be forgotten.  Jessica’s justice is also extremely important.

4

“I can love you and still let you go.”

Earlier in season 2, Skye leaves and says these words to Clay.  They are beautiful and meaningful and later when Clay speaks at Hannah’s service, he applies them to his love for Hannah.  The service allows everyone to finally say goodbye to Hannah and cherish her memory.  Clay’s eulogy is so real and heartbreaking.  While he will never forget Hannah, he is ready to move on with his life.

3

“The Night we Met.”

In the season 2 finale, Clay and everyone are at the school dance.  “The Night we Met” song comes on again, which is the song he danced with Hannah to.  Clay’s emotions begin overwhelming him and Tony immediately goes to find him when he hears the song.  In a beautiful moment, Tony and all of his friends surround Clay and sway back and forth to the music.  All of these characters have come together to be there for Clay.  He is no longer alone and these characters are now linked forever.  In season 1, they were all brought together by terrible secrets, but in season 2 they are brought together to honor Hannah and to support each other no matter what comes their way.

2

“What do we do?  Do we look the other way or do we help them?”

When Clay discovers that Tyler is on his way to the school with an assault rifle, everyone suggests that they call the police and get out of there.  Clay refuses to run away, however.  He knows that Hannah would want him to step in and help.  It’s never too late and Clay risks his life trying to tell Tyler this.  Tony gets Tyler out of there in the nick of time, while Clay is left standing outside holding the gun.  In this moment, Clay is beyond courageous, but he has a lot to explain once the police show up.

1

“But no matter how many reasons there might be why, there are always more why not.”

This is probably the most significant moment for me.  Mrs. Baker finds Hannah’s list of reasons and discovers that she made a list of reasons why not.  Clay and “Helmet” are on there, which reveals how important he truly was to Hannah.  Mrs. Baker tries to tell him that she left so many reasons out and that there are always more reasons why not, reminding us that living is what’s important.  Clay and the other characters are ready to finally start living.  The tragic moments are always going to happen and we can’t always control that, but we can control what we do afterwards.  It’s what makes us who we are; who we can still become.

 I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your own theories and thoughts on 13 Reasons Why in the comments section below.  Thanks for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

@TV_Fanatic_Girl

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My top television shows of 2017 on Netflix: Binge-watching throughout the year!

Since I covered my top favorite television shows that aired in 2017 on local and cable networks, I thought it would only be right to discuss my favorite shows that aired on Netflix as well.  While Netflix has been slowly taking away some of my old favorites series to make room for the new ones, I have been pleased with a lot of their new shows.  Don’t get me wrong, I desperately want them to bring back shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and One Tree Hill and to consider not taking Lost off.  Either way I will still dust off my old DVD sets and settle for some quality shows on Netflix as a compromise.  Netflix has done a good job of successfully providing me with the binge-watching we all crave once in a while with its lineup.  Who am I kidding…all the time!  Please note some spoilers are ahead.

The Best of the Best of television shows streaming on Netflix for 2017 are:

  1. 13 Reasons Why
  2. Stranger Things (season 2)
  3. The Punisher
  4. Ozark
  5. Orange is the New Black (season 5)

Orange is the New Black is a favorite guilty pleasure of mine and I admit that I look forward to every June for the premiere.  I tend to watch these episodes in just under a week because I am always sad when it is over to soon.  Season 4 ended with a cliff-hanger of Daya pointing a gun at a guard, leaving fans wondering what would happen next.  A lot of the season focused on the inmates refusing to be treated poorly anymore, leading to a riot that allowed the tables to be turned and the inmates to take control of the prison.  Each episode was jam-packed with drama and action, which had me contemplating when to start up the next episode.  I have to admit that it took a lot of self-control to watch everything over the course of the week, as it would have been very easy to finish this within a day or two.

When my friends told me about Ozark, they said it was sort of like Breaking Bad but not really.  Not really that specific of a review, but it did get my attention and I checked out the show featuring the wonderful and brilliant Jason Bateman.  Bateman plays Marty who gets caught up in a money-laundering scheme and is forced to leave his home with his family and set up shop in the small town of Ozark so that the head of the Mexican cartel doesn’t kill him and everyone he cares about.  Marty has a set of skills that are unlike many others and thinks on his feet quickly to come up with a business scheme that can work, all while trying to deal with the fact that his marriage is coming to an end and to keep his children happy.  Sounds like a tall order and it is.  While the series is no Breaking Bad, at least not yet anyway, it was entertaining and absolutely worth a watch.

I am a big fan of Marvel in general and The Punisher is one of my favorite heroes or maybe anti-heroes of all time.  Usually when I say this, fans question this and say why not Wolverine or Captain America?  The Punisher is so powerful to me because he has no super powers and his quest for revenge is sympathetic and tragic.  When Netflix’s Daredevil season 2 came out, the best part of it was the introduction of The Punisher.  I was ecstatic when I heard that the character would be getting his own series.  I am happy to say that I successfully binge-watched this show over the weekend and it is everything I could have hoped for.  Jon Bernthal is so believable as Frank Castle that you would think the comic series was based off of him.  He is someone to root for and although the violence may be extreme, the enemies get what is coming to them.  I also found myself investing time and energy into the supporting cast as well which is rare for me.  The villains are also so intense and heart-breaking, as Frank Castle finds himself being betrayed left and right while he is trying to make amends and bring those who deserve it to justice.

Stranger Things season 2 is absolutely worth a binge-watch and perhaps a second or third time through.  That’s how good it is.  The music alone sparked new life into this season, the characters and friendships were bonded further, and the quest to find out where one comes from and what “home” truly means is touching and beautiful.  Once again, this season blended the perfect amount of comedy with sci-fi mystery.  New friends and characters are introduced and the adventures don’t stop.  I don’t want to give away too much in case you haven’t gotten a chance to watch yet, but remember “friends don’t lie.”  So please watch and enjoy!

When 13 Reasons Why streamed on Netflix earlier in the year, it was considered to be very controversial because of the subject matter and targeted audience.  As a result, it got mixed reviews.  After watching the first episode for myself, I found myself binge-watching the season all in one day.  While I am sure many of you have done the same, the show did an excellent job of drawing the viewer in wanting to unlock the real reasons why Hannah Baker decided to end her life and how her friend, Clay Jensen is involved.  Rather than leave a suicide note, Hannah records everything on 13 audio cassette tapes and has them delivered to the different people responsible so that they can hear the whole story.  While the show makes you want to dive deeper into truth, there is something very raw and painful about the emotions that are revealed along the way from each character who wronged Hannah and how they are dealing with the aftermath of her death along with issues in their own lives that they are facing.  You connect with the characters so much which makes the ultimate fate of Hannah that more tragic and heart-breaking.  While the show is emotionally difficult to handle sometimes, it is worth a watch and reminds us about what is truly important in life.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post some of your favorite television shows from 2017 that streamed on Netflix below.  Happy viewing and the countdown to 2018 is here!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

Ranking the top 5 television series with numbers in the title: What’s your favorite zip code?

Happy Wednesday TV Fans!  As I am counting the days until the weekend and I am sure you are too, it got me thinking about numbers in particular on television.  I started to create a list of television series with numbers in the title and couldn’t believe how many there were over the years.  If you are bored at all throughout the day, I challenge you to create a list of as many number TV shows as you can without using the internet of course. 🙂  It’s actually really fun and you can post how many you were able to come up with in the comments.  Naturally, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to rank my top TV shows that fit into this category.  My top 5 TV shows containing numbers in the title are:

5) One Tree HillOne Tree Hill has always been a guilty pleasure of mine.  I used to watch Soapnet all day when I worked from home and this show came on quite a bit.  I was actually really disappointed that they took the show off of Netflix streaming because it is really addicting to watch.  While it may seem like your typical teenage soap centered on high school drama, the show does a good job of involving real issues as well.  There is a strong emphasis on family in the show and the narrator and main character, Lucas Scott, has a romantic view of the world, which elevates the show for me and ties in epic works of literature along with a lot of important thoughts that may have crossed our minds in different points in our lives.

4) 24.  While I have to admit, I have not gotten a chance to watch through this show recently, it is my mother’s absolute favorite and I thought very deserving of a spot in the top 5 even though it is not necessarily my top choice.  When this show aired on television, it had a quality that hooked the audience to watch the show live similar to The Walking Dead or Game of Thrones now.  You didn’t want to merely record 24 because you could miss something crucial or you didn’t want someone around you to spoil what happened.  The number 24 is significant in the series and not just merely in the title, as each season contained 24 episodes covering the 24 hours in Jack Bauer’s life.  All of the events happen in real time, which keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat seeing everything from Agent Bauer’s point of view.

3) 13 Reasons Why.  When this series streamed on Netflix earlier in the year, it was considered to be very controversial because of the subject matter and targeted audience.  As a result, it got mixed reviews.  After watching the first episode for myself, I found myself binge-watching the season all in one day.  While I am sure many of you have done the same, the show did an excellent job of drawing the viewer in wanting to unlock the real reasons why Hannah Baker decided to end her life and how her friend, Clay Jensen is involved.  Rather than leave a suicide note, Hannah records everything on 13 audio cassette tapes and has them delivered to the different people responsible so that they can hear the whole story.  While the show makes you want to dive deeper into truth, there is something very raw and painful about the emotions that are revealed along the way from each character who wronged Hannah and how they are dealing with the aftermath of her death along with issues in their own lives that they are facing.

2) The 100.  I have to admit that this is one of my favorite shows on television right now and I am counting the days until new episodes are aired.  The 100 reminds me of a futuristic version of Lost, revealing mystery after mystery where you truly can’t guess what is coming next.  The series starts off after earth has been destroyed by the nuclear war and the remaining survivors are living in a space station called the Ark.  However, air and supplies are running low and the leaders of the Ark make the decision to send 100 juvenile prisoners down to earth.  While it seemed initially that they were sending them off to die to sacrifice the few to save the many, earth is in fact livable again.  The prisoners are all trying to exist in a world without adults and laws, but find out that earth has many dangers, including other people who were already living there, “Grounders,” who are not looking forward to sharing their land with these invaders.  While each threat is dealt with, a new one emerges, forcing the Sky survivors to deal with betrayal, love, death, and war.

1) Beverly Hills, 90210.  It should be no surprise that my top choice takes place in our favorite zip code.  The show lasted for 10 years and even had a revival series done years later.  Many of us have grown up watching our favorite twins, Brandon and Brenda Walsh move from Minnesota to the very different and superficial Beverly Hills, California.  The soap-drama is a guilty pleasure of many and I recently watched through the entire series again over the summer.  Through all of the drama, this group of friends sticks together and grows up fast in a materialistic world only to realize that things don’t come as easily as they did in high school and that you can’t always buy your way out of everything.  While many of the plots are outrageous and over the top, there is a lesson in all of them, and we find ourselves rooting for each character who we have come to know well from years of watching them.

I hope you enjoyed the list and feel free to post your comments below about any of these shows or some of your own favorites.  If you do complete the challenge, feel free to post how many shows you were able to come up with that do have a number in the title.  Happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl