The verdict is pending. Does Hannah get justice? Well, you have to see to come to know about it. The series that had come to become a critically acclaimed and commercially successful TV drama, intricately carving out an alcove for itself on the streaming giant Netflix and in the hearts of the viewers was bound to make a comeback; we were all tacked against the final hook that left us in suspense, seething anger and a sense of crippled helplessness to internalise. The several deaths and the seemingly unsurmountable trauma that every individual character had to undergo resonated in many teenagers thus bringing to light a critical issue – bullying.

Primarily featuring a melange of activities that sneak into the school culture and contaminate the air for all the teens, like second hand smoke, 13 Reasons Why showcased gradually all the small-big issues that causes unrest among the student lot. From drugs, bullying, assaults to name-calling and similar deplorable actions that acted like a domino effect for Hannah, who was a victim of these and more eventually feels that life is too much unbearable for her in contrast to a painful yet ultimate escape from it.

If 13 Reasons Why Season 1 was about tapes, the medium for carrying and transmitting the unheard stories, Season 2 has a newfangled medium for passing on information – polaroids, this sort of creativity is idiosyncratic to the show and makes it more exciting with the dash of suspense that goes into making the story. On a happy note for all the 13 RW fans, they get to see all their favourite characters back in the show with a few newly added faces that only dial up the suspense game. New alliances are seen forming and it is hard to judge anything from initial hunches or observations.

The second season, as we had come to think of it, was all about the verdict. Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) the sweet natured, shy and highly obsessed-with-his-grades nerd had some real guts to do the unthinkable and gather evidence about Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice), responsible for the highly unpardonable crime that proved to be a final straw for Hannah and thus compelling her to feel utterly helpless. However, it turns out that the way to claiming justice for her (or every other victim, here) is not as steady as it had seemed and that everyone walking this tightrope has to fear for their lives. If you had expected Season 2 to be all about trials and testimonies then you are partially right, as the season kicks off with Tyler’s testimony; however what nobody was ready for was to hear new, absolutely true facets to the story and expect skeletons toppling out of a closet (from where there were presumably none.) You can’t escape the sting that poor Clay feels here on discovering new facts about Hannah.   

The courtroom trials speak volumes about everyone who is connected to the story and is in great agony due to unexpressed grievances; every person is a walking, breathing example of emotional distress. Hannah’s mother, who is particularly determined to bring justice to her only daughter’s death is fighting very hard and all on her own during the initial stages, she quotes verbatim ‘We are hurt. And worse we feel powerless.’

The only parts where the show seems to footslogging out a bit is during Clay’s struggle with his own conscience which appears visually and strangely talking to him as Hannah’s phantom. The recurring sight of Hannah seems irrational and lameo. Although the show has put up a brave fight for some real causes, it signals of need for tweaking at specific parts so that it stops looking like the whole plot is just being dragged into some sort of rabbit hole.  The final episode (minus the spoilers), leaves everybody shook and indicates a 3rd instalment in the offing but that’s for the producers to spill the beans. Fan, fingers crossed until then.