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13 Reasons Why's Devin Druid Defends That Graphic Male Rape Scene
"We cannot sugarcoat it or censor it at all."
Trigger warning: sexual assault, rape.
While 13 Reasons Why attempted to fix the mistakes of its first season with trigger warnings and help hotline phone numbers, it's controversial second season is getting just as much of a mixed reception.
The show has built a brand around starting tough conversations about issues teens face today like bullying, sexual assault, rape, school shootings, and more, but few were prepared for the gut-wrenching scene in the season two finale.
The two-minute scene begins with troubled school photographer Tyler Down's (Devin Druid) head being smashed into a mirror and sink by bullies before being dragged into a stall where his head is dunked into the toilet. His attackers call him "faggot" as they brutally and bloodily sodomize him with a mop.
The moment left many viewers in complete shock.
\u201cokay. literally holy fucking shit. the rape scene in the last episode of #13ReasonsWhy was absolutely unfuckingnecessary. i never get triggered over ANY rape scenes but that was torture porn. worse than the cutting scene in the first season. i wanna puke.\u201d— rabidhoe (@rabidhoe) 1526705666
None— \u30c4 Chandrey E J (@\u30c4 Chandrey E J) 1526760446
Druid has opened up about the controversial scene at the 11th Television Academy Honors, reports Queerty. "We cannot sugarcoat it or censor it at all because that is not how these events happen. And I think it’s this trying to portray and make people understand what happens in these unfortunate and tragic circumstances."
"I felt a lot of responsibility to portray the pain accurately, and humiliation one can go through when they are assaulted in this way," said the 20-year-old. "Especially with the stigma around sexual assault with men."
He goes on to defend the graphic scene. "People are always going to have opinions on the show and what we do, but I think it is staying true to what the show’s been about and that has always been taking on these tough issues and trying to show them in these truthful lights."
Showrunner Brian Yorkey also defended the scene, citing that it was approved by Netflix and Paramount after "extensive discussions" and research into the epidemic of real-life sexual violence.
"We are committed on this show to telling truthful stories about things that young people go through in as unflinching a way as we can," he told Vulture.
"As intense as that scene is, and as strong as our reactions to it may be, it doesn’t even come close to the pain experienced by the people who actually go through these things. When we talk about something being 'disgusting' or hard to watch, often that means we are attaching shame to the experience. We would rather not be confronted with it. We would rather it stay out of our consciousness. This is why these kinds of assaults are underreported. This is why victims have a hard time seeking help. We believe that talking about it is so much better than silence."
13 Reasons Why was just renewed for a third season.
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!
