13 Reasons Why season 2 recap: Everything you need to remember before season 3

3 August 2019, 15:38

Nicky Idika

By Nicky Idika

What happened in 13 Reasons Why Season 2? The series returns to Netflix on August 23 for season 3 but we know you probably need a refresher on everything that went down in season 2.

13 Reasons Why is back for season 3 on the 23rd of August and we already have a massive mystery to mull over before then. The trailer dropped on Thursday, August 1st and we're desperate to know who killed Bryce Walker. With the amount of enemies the star athlete and serial rapist made in season one and two, it was only a matter of time before something really bad happened to him.

If you're anything like us, you'll need a 13 Reasons Why season two recap just to refresh your memory on all the truly wild storylines and plot points from last season. Chloe is pregnant with Bryce's baby, Justin is hiding his drug problem and, oh yeah, Clay stupidly decides to help Tyler evade the law after the bullied teen plans a mass shooting.

READ MORE: 13 Reasons Why renewed for fourth and FINAL season at Netflix

What happened in 13 Reasons Why season 2?

Hannah Baker and her legacy have been a huge animating force since season one. But, with Katherine Langford's official exit from the show, the characters will be pivoting hard to new storylines and the big mystery of who killed Bryce Walker.

But before we dive head long into season three, here's what we need to remember from season two.

Clay released Hannah's tapes on the internet so everyone could know "the truth".

In season one of 13 Reasons Why, the main characters are desperate to keep the tapes from getting out to the public. However, in season two, that all goes out the window when Clay decides to release the tapes himself.

After going back and forth with the ghost of Hannah Baker (aka his conscience) he decides that it is in everyone's best interests for it to be released. So, we're heading into season three with the knowledge that everything is out in the open.

13 Reasons Why Clay and Hannah
13 Reasons Why Clay and Hannah. Picture: Netflix

Clay said goodbye to Hannah's ghost and Hannah's mum moved to New York.

After the trial, Clay makes an emotional speech about Hannah and we see her "ghost" walk out of the room. This represented Clay turning the metaphorical page on the Hannah Baker fixation that caused him to see her as a "ghost" for the entire season.

Hannah's mother (played by Kate Walsh) also spent much of the season investigating her daughter's life. Her marriage breaks down and in the end she decides to move to New York to honour Hannah's memory.

We probably won't be seeing much of Hannah's mother but, who knows, she could make an appearance when the series draws to a close in season four.

Netflix 13 Reasons Why Kate Walsh
Netflix 13 Reasons Why Kate Walsh. Picture: Netflix

Clay's parents are adopting Justin but he is still struggling with addiction

At the end of season one Justin is so consumed with guilt over his cowardice that he picks up and leaves town. While Justin is away, he develops a drug addiction.

When Clay and Tony find Justin in season two, they help him detox. Meanwhile Clay's parents allow Justin to stay in their home and it finally seems like Justin might have a stable home life.

Clay reveals that his parents are interested in adopting Justin and things seem to be looking up. However, it soon become clear that Justin isn't entirely clean yet.

This will definitely be a huge point of tension in season three.

Clay's family adopts Justin on 13 Reasons Why
Clay's family adopts Justin on 13 Reasons Why. Picture: Netflix

Chloe lied for Bryce on the stand and she is pregnant with his baby

In season two of 13 Reasons Why, we find out that Bryce raped Chloe while she was unconscious in the Club House.

When Clay and the others let her know what happened to her, Chloe agrees to testify against him. When she gets on the stand, though, she changes her testimony and later we find out that she is pregnant with Bryce's baby.

Chloe in Netflix 13 Reasons Why
Chloe in Netflix 13 Reasons Why. Picture: Netflix

Bryce does not get punished for his crimes.

Despite the mountain of evidence against him, Bryce manages to evade real punishment. He raped Hannah, Jessica, and Chloe but only receives three months probation for everything that he has done.

Fans have wanted Bryce to face the consequences of his actions since season one and it looks like someone takes matters into their own hands in season three.

Bryce Walker on the stand
Bryce Walker on the stand. Picture: Netflix

Tyler was assaulted by Monty.

One of the most controversial moments in season two involved Tyler being assaulted by Monty in the school bathroom.

This is seen as a huge catalyst for Tyler's planned rampage and it will certainly come up again in season three.

Tyler 13 Reasons Why assault
Tyler 13 Reasons Why assault. Picture: Netflix

Tyler plans to shoot up the school during the dance but Clay stops him.

Perhaps the biggest thing you need to remember ahead of season three is Tyler's plot to kill his classmates in a deadly school shooting.

The entire season subtly hinted that Tyler had some deep issues that desperately needed to be addressed. After Tyler is assaulted by Monty, he experiences a breakdown and plots to shoot up the school during a dance.

Surprisingly, Clay helps Tyler escape the scene after convincing him not to go through with the shooting. This leads to our big cliffhanger going into season three. Will Tyler evade the police? Will Clay take the fall for him? Will the others cover for Tyler?

Tyler gun 13 reasons why netflix
Tyler gun 13 reasons why netflix. Picture: Netflix/Screebshot