13 Reasons Why Season 3 Review: 7 Ups & 5 Downs

5. The Format

If there's one thing that Ani's inclusion benefits, it's the format of the show.

The whole basis of the show is built upon its title: 13 Reasons Why. That's why the first season's reliance on Hannah's tapes went hand-in-hand with the episodic approach, as it allowed each episode to focus on how she viewed those who hurt her.

The second season, however, attempted to recreate that using Hannah's trial, and it just didn't work at all. The similar episodic format didn't gel with the storyline and, with different characters narrating different episodes, the whole thing got very convoluted very fast.

Season 3 went back to the show's roots, using Ani's interview to focus primarily on one person's account of things, while allowing others' views to either support or discredit that. Moreover, given that she was delving into the reasons why each person might have killed Bryce, the title once again felt relevant.