Ep 9. Episode 9

Clay begins to spiral out of control as he becomes more and more consumed by Hannah's tapes. In Episode 9 of 13 Reasons Why, viewers see Clay struggling to come to terms with his role in Hannah's suicide, as well as the ways in which he could have potentially helped her. As he listens to the ninth tape, he discovers that Hannah had been struggling with sexual assault. Clay's reaction to this news is intense, and he begins to act out in ways that are increasingly self-destructive.

One of the key themes of this episode is the idea of powerlessness. Many of the characters feel like they are unable to make meaningful change, either in their own lives or in the lives of those around them. In the wake of Hannah's revelations, Clay feels like he should have been able to save her, but he is unable to go back in time and change what happened. Similarly, other characters like Jessica and Alex are struggling to come to terms with their own powerlessness in their relationships with each other.

Throughout the episode, viewers see the characters wrestling with their own sense of guilt and responsibility. Some, like Clay, are consumed by their own sense of guilt, while others like Mr. Porter are grappling with the ways in which they could have done more to help. This sense of responsibility is only exacerbated as events begin to spiral out of control and new secrets are revealed.

Despite the weighty subject matter, there are moments of lightness and even humor in this episode. During a school assembly, the student body is subjected to a cringeworthy sex talk that is seemingly designed to horrify and embarrass the teens. The scene is both uncomfortable and oddly hilarious, highlighting the ways in which adults can sometimes be completely out of touch with the realities of teenage life.

As the episode progresses, the tension begins to ramp up as characters start to turn against each other. Secrets and allegations are uncovered, and some characters find themselves backed into a corner as their own past misdeeds come to light. The show does a good job of keeping viewers guessing as to what might happen next, and there are a number of genuinely surprising moments throughout the episode.

Of course, true to form for the series, the episode ends on a cliffhanger. Viewers are left wondering what will happen next, and whether any of the characters will be able to come to terms with their own sense of guilt and responsibility. Overall, Episode 9 of 13 Reasons Why is a tense and emotional hour of television, one that tackles difficult subject matter with a deft touch.