13 Reasons Why Review: 10 Ups & 9 Downs From ALL 4 Seasons

Ups...

10. Season 1 Was A Strong Adaptation Of The Source Material

Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why was a thoroughly gripping novel that sparked conversations and kept readers on-edge the whole way throughout. Yes, its subject matter understandably caused controversy, but that didn't change how well put-together the narrative was - something that critics were quick to praise.

The first season of the show proved to be an excellent adaptation of its source material. Its 13-episode format did have occasional issues but it mostly worked well with the 13-tape format, allowing each episode to delve into one specific character on Hannah's tape while proving that the originally-pitched feature film would never have been able to offer a worthy portrayal of the intricately-plotted novel.

In ways, the show improved upon what was already there, allowing the narrative to breathe while fleshing out all of the characters to a much greater extent - all while offering its own original touches. It didn't need to stick so closely to the repetitive episodic format, but because it did, these characterisations were so vivid, they were a way of ensuring fans would return whenever the series left the novel behind.

When 13 Reasons Why was infused with its source material, it was genuinely gripping television and, because of that, the first season is one of the best-plotted YA shows in television history.