13 Reasons Why’s Dylan Minnette defends ‘devastating and tragic’ finale after AIDS twist backlash
13 REASONS Why star Dylan Minnette defended the show's 'devastating and tragic' finale.
It follows backlash against the AIDS twist storyline featuring Justin Foley, played by actor Brandon Flynn.
After a flash forward funeral scene early on in season four, viewers saw Justin revealed as the person who had died.
He collapsed at prom before being rushed to hospital where he was died from AIDS-related complications.
Some were not happy with the show's narrative that suggested the character's drug and sex worker past caused him to contract the illness.
Dylan told : "I remember all season, Brandon and I were specifically hoping that it would be Justin.
"We were pushing for it and we would plead to [showrunner Brian Yorkey] making the case of why we feel like it should be him, because he and I both felt that it would have the biggest emotional impact on the series given Justin's entire arc."
He went on: "Of course it's devastating and tragic and we know that people would love to see him survive, but I think that's what makes it all the more powerful.
"Obviously it's the most depressing move the show could make, but I feel like it's also in line with the show to make that choice in the last episode, to make the most devastating choice."
Discussing the relationship between the two characters, Dylan continued: "It feels really poetic because the biggest arc of a relationship that Clay has had in the show is with Justin.
"The first conversation you see Clay have with anyone in the very first episode is with Justin, and it's actually Clay's first lines of the show. They're clearly enemies in season 1, and then it goes all the way to them loving each other more than anyone and becoming brothers and holding his hand on his deathbed."
He added: "It's also the last conversation between Clay and any of the students – it's in Clay's head, but the college essay scene.
"It feels like the perfect bookend because the finale sort of feels like the story of Justin, and the first episode did because he was the first tape.
"I feel like it was a strong choice to make, and as devastating as it is, I am so happy that Brian ended up making the decision to do it because it just felt right."
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