Netflix changed forever after the second season of 13 Reasons Why dropped. If you were online back in 2018, you remember the absolute firestorm. We aren't just talking about a controversial plot point; we are talking about a moment that forced a massive streaming giant to rethink its entire approach to "edgy" teen content. The 13 reasons why broom scene original cut was, quite frankly, one of the most polarizing and visceral moments in the history of modern television.
It was brutal.
Honestly, even describing it feels heavy. The scene featured a graphic, prolonged sexual assault of the character Tyler Down, played by Devin Druid, in a high school bathroom. It wasn't just a plot point—it was a graphic sequence that many viewers felt crossed the line from "raising awareness" into something much more voyeuristic and damaging.
What actually happened in the original cut?
Let’s get the facts straight. In the Season 2 finale, titled "Bye," Montgomery de la Cruz and his cronies corner Tyler in the bathroom. They beat him. They shove his head into a sink. But then, the scene takes a turn that left audiences stunned: Monty uses a mop handle (often referred to as the broom scene) to brutally assault Tyler.
The camera didn't blink.
Unlike the Hannah Baker suicide scene in Season 1, which was eventually edited out years later, the reaction to the broom scene was instantaneous. Parents' groups were livid. Mental health experts were sounding the alarm. It wasn't just about the violence; it was about the lack of warning for a specific type of male-on-male sexual trauma that is rarely depicted on screen with that level of raw, unfiltered intensity.
People were rightfully asking: Was this necessary?
Showrunner Brian Yorkey defended it at the time. He argued that the show’s mission was to portray the "unflinching reality" of what young people face. He wanted to show the soul-crushing impact of bullying. But for many, the 13 reasons why broom scene original version didn't feel like education. It felt like trauma for the sake of a cliffhanger.
The fallout and the eventual edit
Netflix eventually had to blink.
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It didn't happen overnight, though. For a long time, the scene remained exactly as it was filmed. However, as the conversation around mental health and "triggering" content evolved, the pressure became insurmountable. By the time the show was wrapping up its final seasons, Netflix quietly went back and trimmed the sequence.
If you go and watch the episode right now on your account, you’ll notice a difference. The buildup is there. The threat is there. But the most graphic elements of the physical assault have been cut down. It’s a "blink and you'll miss it" edit compared to the original, which lingered on Tyler's pain for an uncomfortable amount of time.
Why does this matter? Because it set a precedent.
It proved that "word of mouth" and "social media outrage" actually have the power to change a finished piece of art. This wasn't a George Lucas Star Wars edit to make a scene look cooler. This was a massive corporation admitting they went too far.
Comparing the original to the current version
Looking at the 13 reasons why broom scene original vs. the current edit is like looking at two different philosophies of filmmaking.
The original was designed to shock. It used long takes and close-ups to ensure the audience felt every second of Tyler’s agony. The sound design was particularly aggressive. It left nothing to the imagination.
The current version relies on the power of suggestion. We see the confrontation. We see the intent. We see the aftermath. Your brain fills in the gaps, which, ironically, many critics argue is actually more effective storytelling. It respects the victim’s dignity while still conveying the horror of the act.
- Original Length: Roughly two minutes of escalating violence and the assault itself.
- Current Length: Significantly shorter, focused on the emotional terror and the immediate lead-up.
- Visuals: The most explicit shots of the object being used have been removed or obscured.
Why this scene still sparks debate today
Even years later, the 13 reasons why broom scene original discussion pops up on Reddit and TikTok every few months. New viewers find the show and wonder why the episode feels "choppy" in that specific spot. Then they go down the rabbit hole of finding out what was originally there.
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There's a weird dichotomy here. On one hand, you have people who believe art should never be censored. They argue that by removing the scene, Netflix is "sanitizing" the reality of sexual violence. On the other hand—and this is where most mental health professionals land—there is the "copycat" or "trigger" risk.
The Parents Television Council (PTC) was one of the loudest voices calling for the show’s cancellation. They didn't just want the scene edited; they wanted the whole thing gone. They pointed to studies suggests a rise in teen distress following the release of these graphic seasons. While the direct link is always debated by scientists, the anecdotal evidence from school counselors was enough to make Netflix take notice.
The impact on the actors
Devin Druid, who played Tyler, has been incredibly vocal and professional about the whole thing. He’s often talked about the "weight" of filming that scene. He spent weeks preparing for the emotional fallout of that character arc.
"We want to make sure we're telling the story authentically," Druid said in several interviews around the 2018 release. He felt a responsibility to the survivors who reached out to him. But imagine being a young actor and having your most famous scene be something so controversial it eventually gets censored by the network that hired you.
It’s a tough spot to be in.
Monty’s actor, Timothy Granaderos, also faced a bizarre wave of real-life backlash. People couldn't separate the actor from the character. He received death threats. It got so bad that his co-stars had to start a social media campaign with the hashtag #TimothyIsNOTMonty. This is the dark side of "hyper-realistic" content—sometimes the audience loses their grip on reality too.
How to handle the content if you're watching now
If you are just starting 13 Reasons Why, or if you’re a parent whose kid is watching it, you need to know that the show is fundamentally different than it was at launch.
Netflix added "trigger warnings" and "custom introductions" where the cast speaks directly to the camera. They tell you that if you're struggling, this might not be the show for you. They provide resources like 13reasonswhy.info.
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But the 13 reasons why broom scene original remains a ghost in the machine. It’s the moment that defined the show's legacy more than Hannah Baker’s tapes ever did. It moved the conversation from "teen drama" to "public health concern."
The broader legacy of the "original" cut
What did we learn?
Mainstream media learned that there is a "red line." You can talk about suicide, drug use, and sexual identity, but there is a level of graphic violence that viewers will simply reject if it feels exploitative.
The show eventually pivoted. Season 3 and 4 were much more of a "whodunnit" mystery than a gritty social commentary. They moved away from the graphic depictions because the brand couldn't handle another PR disaster like the broom scene.
Practical steps for viewers and parents
If you’re engaging with this content today, don’t just watch it in a vacuum. The 13 reasons why broom scene original was removed for a reason.
- Check the ratings: The show is rated TV-MA. It is not for middle schoolers, despite the "high school" setting.
- Use the skip button: If you feel your heart rate rising or you’re feeling "wrong" while watching, stop. The edited version is still intense.
- Discuss the "why": If you're a parent, talk about why Monty did what he did—it was about power, not sex. Understanding the psychology of the bully is more important than seeing the act.
- Look for the "Beyond the Reasons" specials: Netflix produced these to provide context from real doctors and survivors. They are actually better than the show itself in many ways.
The original version of that scene exists now only in the memories of those who saw it live or in grainy, unofficial uploads across the darker corners of the internet. For the rest of the world, the "official" version is the edited one. It’s a rare case of a digital-age "retcon" that was driven by public outcry and a genuine concern for the audience's well-being.
The story of Tyler Down is a tragedy, but the story of the 13 reasons why broom scene original is a lesson in the responsibility of creators. You can’t just put something that heavy out into the world and expect no consequences. Netflix learned that the hard way, and the TV landscape is safer (if a bit more cautious) because of it.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault, help is available. You can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE or visit RAINN's website for confidential support and resources. Content like this can be a catalyst for healing, but only if handled with the care and respect that survivors deserve.
Actionable Insights for Navigating Sensitive Content:
- Verify the Version: Always check the release date or "edit history" of controversial media if you are using it for educational or therapeutic purposes.
- Prioritize Mental Health: Use tools like "Does the Dog Die" or similar content-warning databases to screen for specific triggers before starting a series known for its intensity.
- Engage with Support Systems: If a scene like the one discussed causes significant distress, reach out to a licensed counselor who specializes in media-induced trauma or PTSD.
- Advocate for Better Standards: Support organizations that push for clearer on-screen warnings and the involvement of mental health experts during the scriptwriting phase of teen-centric media.