Since the first season in 2017, the Netflix hit "Dead girls don't lie", originally "13 Reasons Why", has caused controversy. The final fourth season, which has been available on the streaming service since June 5, is no exception. For the clique around Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette, 23), the last ten episodes – which will be concluded in a one-and-a-half hour finale – will be an ordeal. As usual, teenagers are asked to do everything psychologically and emotionally. Without a last great tragedy, of course, it doesn't work. But a worthy farewell looks different. That happens in the series finale.
Warning, the following passages contain massive spoilers from season four of the series!
Sad farewell: This character dies in season four
The first scene of the fourth season takes place at a funeral and makes it clear that another series character is blessing the time. The enlightenment is only in the finals: Justin Foley (Brandon Flynn, 26) was infected with HIV, apparently during his drug addiction when he lived on the street and slept with men for money. Justin collapses on the prom. In the hospital, the Jensen family learns that AIDS has already broken out and spread throughout his body. He dies in the hospital – after tearful goodbyes to Clay and Jessica Davis (Alisha Boe, 23).
Justin's death can certainly be classified as a controversial decision, considering that an HIV-infected person is known to be able to live well and long with the appropriate therapy. His state of health goes down the stream at the speed of light. It also seems more than questionable that his HIV infection was not found during his drug withdrawal. Justin has done one of the best figure developments: he overcomes his drug addiction, finds a family that loves him, makes it to college and is "punished" with death. This is not only tragic, but hardly understandable.
Does Bryce Walker's murderer get exposed?
Another determining topic: Is it revealed that Montgomery's "Monty" de la Cruz (Timothy Granaderos, 33) was attached to the murder of Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice, 26)? At the end of season three it came out that Bryce was badly beaten up by Zach Dempsey (Ross Butler, 30) and finally pushed into the water by Alex Standall (Miles Heizer, 26), where he drowned. Winston Williams (Deaken Bluman), who had a brief tech quack with Monty in season three, moves to Liberty High at the end of the year to expose Bryce's real killer.
Winston suspects several people from the clique, gets active support from the football team in his research and then falls in love with Alex of all people. He confesses his deed to him in the season finale. But Winston doesn't blurt Alex at the police, but keeps the secret of Bryce's death to himself – since Alex obviously regrets his deed. The police are also finalizing the Bryce Walker case. Alex's father, a cop, actively helped cover up. But does that send the right message to the audience?
Conclusion
"Dead girls don't lie" started with a strong first season in 2017. The first 13 episodes are based on the book of the same name by Jay Asher (44) and are about the suicide of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford, 24). The seasons two, three and four continuously dismantled. The series developed from a teen drama to a judicial showdown (season two) and a murder mystery (season three) to a psychological thriller (season four) – with lots of subplots that almost make you lose track.
In the final ten episodes, it's not just a psychologically strained clay talking to the ghost appearances of deceased characters – isn't that a little too much of a good thing? For this Ani Achola (Grace Saif, 24), who acts as narrator in season three – a major point of criticism – is written out of the plot for several episodes. Jessica Davis, who was raped by Bryce in season one and is now head girl, propagates how independent and strong she is, but then chooses the next footballer as a friend? Somehow that doesn't really go together.
There are other disagreements. In school, a killing spree is staged for emergencies, in which Clay grabs a weapon, ends up in the psychiatric ward, but fled there and shortly thereafter was allowed to go back to his everyday life. Zach also stands out with his behavior. He turns to the alcohol and adopts a "no buck" attitude. He even demolishes school property. Oh yes, and Clay causes a serious accident with Zach's car that injures Zach. Clay also lights the director's car. Consequences? Nothing. At least Clay goes to therapy.
The series makers of "Dead Girls Don't Lie" don't seem to have learned anything from their own show. Instead, the plot is artificially inflated. More action, more excitement, more drama ensure that the figure development stagnates, Hannah's death basically fizzles out in nothing and only a few more socially critical topics are raised in no time. The fact that all the remaining characters get a happy ending also has a very unrealistic effect. It remains a bland aftertaste. Less is more, the series should have taken that to heart for the finale.
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