Critics say '13 Reasons Why' season 2 is still controversial, but lacks the redeeming qualities of the first season

"It’s one thing to offer new perspectives on a complicated narrative. It’s a whole other thing to add layers that drain the emotional logic out of what we saw before."

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"13 Reasons Why’s second season doesn’t seem to realize where the show’s strengths actually lie. The season doubles down on drama, intrigue, and violence, to the point where it starts to feel like a po-faced version of Riverdale."

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"The new season tries to make a point about rape culture, slut shaming and sexual harassment, but its depiction of these complex topics has all the subtlety of a sledge hammer."

"Like Asher's book, the first Netflix season of 13 Reasons Why has a conclusive ending; the little that is left unresolved isn't enough to require a second season."

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"13 Reasons had to build a brand new series this season without the simple, and ingenious, architecture that went into building the first. (Those thirteen tapes, remember?) The result may be watchable, but also padded, talky, intricate and unnecessarily shocking."

Not every review was negative: "It makes you appreciate the difference between a storytelling gimmick and a legitimate structural element; by establishing a new framework for Season 2, the show proves it doesn’t need one."

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