Popular Culture Review 30.1
butterfly effect ,” resulting in retribution against those whom she perceived wronged her . Researchers have noted that any potential influence of media texts on suicidal viewers largely depends on “ the nature of the fictional portrayal , suggesting that the likelihood of an imitation effect may be dependent on .... the depiction of the consequences of the suicide ” ( Blood and Perkis 157 ). While Hannah ’ s suicide is presented as a tragedy , her posthumous plan does ultimately bear fruit . Once their roles in Hannah ’ s suicide become known , the individuals involved are either overcome with guilt or faced with consequences , thus justifying Hannah ’ s decision to commit suicide . In an interview with Slate , Alex Moen , a licensed school counselor , criticized this aspect of 13 Reasons Why ’ s narrative :
[ It ’ s ] essentially a fantasy of what someone who is considering suicide might have� that once you commit suicide , you can still communicate with your loved ones , and people will suddenly realize everything that you were going through and the depth of your pain ... the cute , sensitive boy will fall in love with you and seek justice for you , and you ’ ll be able to orchestrate it , and in so doing kind of still be able to live . Especially when you ’ re a teenager , your brain doesn ’ t do a very good job of reminding you of the truth that , in fact , you will be dead , and that ’ s really the only outcome that ’ s important . ( Martinelli , “ 13 Reasons Why ’ s Controversial Depiction of Teen Suicide Has School Counselors Picking Up the Pieces ”)
Roen and many other school counselors were also critical of how 13 Reasons Why portrayed their profession . The
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