13 Reasons Why "Tape 5, Side A " 1x9 Reaction (Steven)

Everytime I watch a reaction to these episodes, I want to remind him that there are more tapes with more people to blame for even bigger stuff. Of course they want to start with the “minor” stuff for every character and then build to the major bombs at the end. Some characters have committed only minor sins, so to speak, but the point of it all is that every action can affect a person, maybe not equally but still strongly.

Throughout the show they’ve been hinting at the fact that Justin is poor and basically lives with Bryce most of the time because his home situation is so crappy. Obviously this doesn’t excuse what he did or make it okay that he allowed Bryce to r*pe Jessica. But it does explain the friendship dynamic between Bryce and Justin, and why Justin often lets Bryce disrespect him and control him. There’s many examples of it sprinkled throughout the show. Even earlier in this episode when they’re standing outside the school and Jessica is drinking. When the drink is first offered to Justin he says no and frowns his nose up at it. It’s only when Bryce tells him to drink it that he actually does it. In essence, Justin has no backbone when it comes to Bryce. 😒