Top 10 Moments from 13 Reasons Why Season 3
For this list we'll be looking at some of the most memorable moments from season three of 13 Reasons Why. If you haven't seen all of season three yet, be warned, a major spoiler alert is in effect.
#10: Clay Gets Arrested “And Then the Hurricane Hit”
Clay is immediately the prime suspect when Bryce Walker turns up dead. The police don’t even seem interested in looking at anyone else seriously. So it’s not a surprise when during one of the most climactic moments of the entire season, the sheriff storms the high school and an army of cops take Clay away. Before now, he had simply been questioned by authorities, but after putting together the motive, the means, and the fact that Clay threatened to kill Bryce the night he died, they had all they needed to make an official arrest. It sets in motion the events that will bring the group closer together in their efforts to save Clay, and point to what is in store for next season.
#9: Tyler’s Photo Exhibition “Let the Dead Bury the Dead”
Top 10 Times The Mary Tyler Moore Show Tackled Serious Issues
All of the characters on this show have been through their fair share of trauma, and Tyler is certainly no exception. One of the major storylines of season three is Tyler’s road to recovery from what happened to him last season. There was a time when it seemed that Tyler was possibly beyond help, but Clay and Jessica, along with the whole crew never gave up on him. In return, Tyler makes a photo exhibition of and for all of his friends who helped him through a time so dark he didn’t think he would ever see the light. It’s an understatement to say that it is a heartwarming moment in Tyler’s journey. It is also one of the only moments that shows a glimmer of hope for the future.
#8: Bryce Listens to Hannah’s Tapes “The World Closing In”
Another major storyline this season is Bryce’s attempt at redemption. Whether or not you think he deserves it, Bryce definitely seems genuine in his attempts to turn his life around, even if he doesn’t always know how to go about it the right way. The quintessential moment in this journey is when he finally listens to Hannah’s tapes. This is the moment where he goes from being simply sorry for his actions to taking accountability for them. Hearing for the first time all of the damage that he caused begins to really change Bryce.
#7: Bryce’s Funeral “You Can Tell the Heart of a Man By How He Grieves”
Between Clay and the whole gang showing up, Bryce’s disaster of a father, and the H.O. protest, Bryce’s funeral is a powder keg ready to blow. It’s hard to imagine trying to feel sympathy for a rapist, but seeing the way Bryce’s father behaves at his funeral gives us an inside look at Bryce’s pain. Obviously, none of that is an excuse for the terrible things that Bryce has done, and his mom does not make excuses for him in her eulogy, but it shows another perspective to Bryce’s life that we didn’t necessarily see before. And even if you don’t feel sympathy for Bryce Walker, hearing his mother’s speech might at least make you think twice about whether or not the H.O. protest is a good idea.
#6: Tony’s Family Gets Deported “You Can Tell the Heart of a Man by How He Grieves”
This show does not shy away from difficult issues teenagers face today, and this season it adds immigration and deportation to the list. Tony arrives home with the intention of introducing his boyfriend, Caleb, to his family for the first time. But Tony’s family is nowhere to be found. It is revealed that they have been taken by ICE. This moment, not only adds to the intensity of Tony’s storyline as he finds out it was the Walkers who are to blame, but it also shows the abruptness and immediacy of deportation. Tony was expecting to have dinner with his family, but by the time he got there, they were gone. The oven was still on.
#5: Everyone Listens to Bryce’s Tape for Jessica “Let the Dead Bury the Dead”
In a profound moment, Bryce takes a cue from Hannah and goes back to how this all began to give his last words. Bryce makes a tape of his own, recording an apology to Jessica and confessing to all of his actions. For the first time he takes true responsibility for all of the pain that he’s caused, and he expresses his hope to become a better man. At the end of everything, Jessica plays the tape for the whole gang and they listen in stunned silence to the final words anyone will ever hear from Bryce Walker. If you couldn’t feel any sympathy for Bryce at his funeral, this scene might just have been enough to show you some humanity in the monster.
#4: Homecoming Protest & Fight On the Field “And Then the Hurricane Hit”
The anticipation leading up to this climactic moment is palpable. Throughout the whole season we hear about some big mess that happened at the Homecoming game, but we barely even get a glimpse as to what actually happened until this moment where all is revealed. An H.O. protest on the field turns into a huge fight when one of the players from Hillcrest sexually harasses Jessica. Both teams quickly clear their benches and a brawl ensues. But even though the protest and the brawl ended in disaster, some good came out of it after all.
#3: Sexual Assault Survivors Speak Up at Assembly “And Then the Hurricane Hit”
After the brawl that broke out at the Homecoming game, Jessica is told by the school principal that she must issue a public apology to both schools involved. But did any of us really expect Jessica to get up and apologize for speaking her truth? Instead, she takes the opportunity to give an empowered speech about rape culture and sexual assault where she inspires other survivors to stand up and speak their truth too. Both girls and boys declared themselves as survivors including Tyler, as well as someone no one expected, Justin Foley. It is a powerful moment where for the first time, the school principal sees just how big the problem really is, and the student body shares a moment of unity.
#2: Bryce’s Killer Revealed “Let the Dead Bury the Dead”
The long awaited reveal of Bryce’s killer is somehow simultaneously shocking and expected. No, it wasn’t Zach, even though he beats Bryce nearly to death after Bryce destroyed his knee during the Homecoming fight. It actually makes a lot of sense that Alex is the one to push Bryce off the pier. We’ve seen his aggression bubbling up all season, and like Alex says, Bryce has hurt pretty much everyone Alex cares about. So when he hears Bryce talking about getting back at Zach, he finally snaps. The harrowing scene is narrated with Ani conspiring with the rest of the gang to pin it all on Monty- while exonerating Clay, Alex, Jessica, and the rest of the crew. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions: Bryce Helps Tyler “There Are a Few Things I Haven’t Told You” Chloe Gets an Abortion “If You’re Breathing, You’re a Liar” Monty Beats Up Winston After They Hook Up “Nobody’s Clean” Alex & Bryce Break In Scene “Nobody’s Clean” Bryce Helps Justin With Seth “Always Waiting for the Next Bad News”
#1: Tyler Tells Clay What Happened To Him In High School, Even on a Good Day, It's Hard to Tell Who's on Your Side
This entire season is full of poignant moments, but this one is hands down the most emotional. Tyler finally tells Clay exactly what happened to him that day in the bathroom last spring. After the almost school shooting, the gang had been wondering what happened to push Tyler over the edge like that. Part of Tyler’s initial pain came from feeling alone, so it is truly touching that Tyler feels that he can trust Clay enough to tell him about his assault. Equally as moving is when Tyler shares his suicide video with Jessica. Though it is hard to watch, it is also beautiful to see Tyler speak his truth and be not just accepted, but loved and understood.
