Netflix's 13 Reasons Why is slammed for 'backwards' and 'sensationalized' storyline about a former drug addict and sex worker DYING of AIDS just after being diagnosed with HIV
- SPOILER ALERT
- The controversial plot twist centers around Justin Foley, played by Brandon Flynn, a recovering heroin addict and former sex worker
- In the final episode of season four, he was diagnosed with HIV that had developed into AIDS after being left untreated and soon died
- It was suggested that he had contracted HIV from his past needle usage and sex work while he was homeless, but viewers found the timeline to be improbable
- It typically takes untreated HIV eight to ten years to turn into AIDS
- Many fans slammed the 'backwards' and 'sensationalized' storyline, saying the show missed an opportunity to teach teens that HIV is not a death sentence
The Netflix series 13 Reasons Why is facing backlash and widespread criticism for having one of the show's characters suddenly die of AIDS complications shortly after learning he is HIV-positive in the season four finale.
The controversial plot twist centers around Justin Foley, played by Brandon Flynn, a recovering heroin addict who worked as a sex worker when he was homeless. In the final episode of season four, he collapsed at prom and was rushed to the hospital.
Justin was diagnosed with HIV that had developed into AIDS after being left untreated and soon died, but his tragic end didn't sit well with many viewers who slammed the show for the 'backwards' and 'sensationalized' storyline.
Spoiler: Justin Foley, played by Brandon Flynn, died of AIDS complications shortly after being diagnosed with HIV that had gone untreated on the season four finale of 13 Reasons Why
Hard to handle: Many fans slammed the 'backwards' and 'sensationalized' storyline, saying the show missed an opportunity to teach teens that HIV is not a death sentence
'#13ReasonsWhy producers had an amazing opportunity to teach people that HIV is no longer a death sentence. Instead, they chose to kill Justin off, after they gave him the biggest character development???' one person tweeted.
'They sent the wrong message. Go to rehab, find a new family then die of the disease after you get your life back on track? Can someone explain to me how that’s a healthy storyline for people going through that situation????'
'Well done for setting HIV/AIDs discourse back 30 years,' someone else commented, while another tweeted: 'You had a real chance here to convey HIV/AIDS in a real, honest, and accurate way but y’all had to go for the shock value unnecessarily once again.'
The National AIDS Trust in the UK also weighed in, saying: 'It's disappointing to see a programme that has such influence with young audiences misrepresent #HIV in this way and further add to stigma. This was a missed opportunity to show that people can live full and healthy lives with HIV.'
Highly unlikely: It was suggested that Justiin had contracted HIV from his past needle usage and sex work while he was homeless, but viewers found the timeline to be improbable
Inconsistencies: Critics pointed out that it typically takes untreated HIV eight to ten years to turn into AIDS, but Justin had only been homeless for a few years
It was suggested that Justin had contracted HIV from his needle usage and sex work while he was homeless, but viewers found the timeline to be highly improbable considering he had only lived on the streets for two years.
It typically takes untreated HIV eight to ten years to turn into AIDS, according to the Mayo Clinic. Most people in the U.S. who are HIV-positive don't develop AIDS because of antiviral treatments.
'It takes about ten years for HIV to progress to AIDS, and life expectancy is on average one to two years after that. So unless Justin was sharing needles or having unprotected sex at the age of six, I call bulls**t on this storyline,' one person tweeted.
'Writers should really research the diseases in their TV plots because there are so many inaccuracies in the HIV/AIDS plot in 13 Reasons Why,' someone else noted.
History of backlash: Justin's sudden death was one of the show's many controversial plot twists over the years
Minority: There were some fans who defended the storyline and claimed it had some educational value
'Wait how is this kid on 13 Reasons Why somehow dying of HIV in the year 2020 like, a day after his diagnosis?' another Twitter user asked. 'It’s like they had a tragedy bingo card and that’s how they picked the plots.'
Some viewers wondered if Justin had actually contracted HIV as a baby from his drug-addict mother, though one person pointed out that he probably would have died when she was 10 or 12 if that were the case.
Despite all the backlash, there were those who defended the storyline and claimed it had some educational value.
'People know HIV isn't a death sentence. To the extent people are actually forgetting people can die from it and being reckless,' one person wrote.
'When HIV turns into aids, it is usually extremely fatal, and not getting tested or treatment was a great issue to bring up. Go educate yourself.'
