Netflix cuts graphic suicide scene from 13 Reasons Why two years later – Polygon

Netflix announced on Tuesday that it had cut a controversial suicide scene from teen drama 13 Reasons Why. The streaming service has long faced backlash for a three-minute scene from season 1 in which the series’ central character, Hannah (Katherine Langford), graphically commits suicide. The series is centered about her death and the series of tapes she left behind to explain why she chose to end her life.

“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,” the streaming platform released in a statement on Twitter. “We’ve been mindful about the ongoing debate around the show. So on the advice of medical experts, including Dr. Christine Moutier, Chief Medial Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, we’ve decided with creator Brian Yorkey and the producers of 13 Reasons Why to edit the scene in which Hannah takes her own life from season 1.”

The contested scene took place during the last episode of the series’ first season. As of early Tuesday, the episode has been updated on Netflix and no longer depicts Hannah committing suicide, instead proceeding directly to her parents finding her in the aftermath.

13 Reasons Why, which first premiered in 2017 and is approaching a third season to be released later this summer, explicitly handles issues like suicide and sexual assault. A survey found the series was the most tweeted-about show of 2017, due at least in part to the discourse its graphic suicide sequence ignited. Mental health professionals raised concerns that the series — and in particular, the scene depicting Hannah’s suicide — could lead to “suicide contagion,” which a CDC report describes as, “a process by which exposure to the suicide or suicidal behavior of one or more persons influences others to commit or attempt suicide.”

At the time of season 1, Netflix dug its heels in to justify its inclusion of the suicide sequence, adding further content warnings rather than cutting the sequence altogether. “Facing these issues head-on — talking about them, being open about them — will always be our best defense against losing another life,” series writer Nic Sheff wrote in an op-ed penned for Vanity Fair. “I’m proud to be a part of a television series that is forcing us to. have these conversations, because silence really does equal death.”

Netflix’s decision to revoke the sequence isn’t out of step — it’s not uncommon for television series (or even movies) to undergo cuts or be delayed in the wake of violent events. USA’s Shooter was delayed in the wake of the Pulse nightclub shooting, Fox’s 24 underwent cuts after 9/11, and Paramount’s Heathers remake was initially axed following mass shootings in Parkland, Florida and Santa Fe, New Mexico before the series was finally aired following major edits of scenes that depicted violence in a high school. More recently and in the wake of the #MeToo movement, a re-release of Toy Story 2 cut a credits scene that depicted an older, male character named Stinky Pete chatting up two Barbie dolls, promising them that he could get them parts in the next movie.

Streaming platforms like Netflix, however, have the capacity to edit at will. Netflix’s decision to cut the scene in question speaks to a new era of media accountability, particularly given that streaming platforms have a greater capacity to capitulate to criticism, in whichever direction it stems, than other distributors. Ultimately, Netflix’s delayed edit is a testament to the platform’s willingness to adapt, particularly given the sensitivity of the topic at hand.

“No one scene is more important than the life of the show, and its message that we must take better care of each other,” series creator Brian Yorkey said in a statement released on Twitter. “We believe this edit will help the show do the most good for the most people while mitigating any risk for especially vulnerable young viewers.”

This content was originally published here.

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