Clay Jensen served as the lead for all four seasons of 13 Reasons Why - here's where his journey ended up. Based on Jay Asher's book of the same name, 13 Reasons Why debuted on Netflix to huge buzz and even positive reviews. The show's first season explored the suicide of Hannah Baker and the thirteen titular reasons that led her to that decision. Across the subsequent seasons, the show continued to follow those Hannah left behind and delved into some serious subject matter - including bullying, drug abuse, and sexual assault.
Played by Dylan Minnette, Clay Jensen appeared in the very first episode. Upon receiving Hannah's infamous cassette tapes, Clay served as the audience's surrogate and introduction to the various dramas that plagued Liberty High. Initially nerdy and unassuming, Clay ultimately developed a savior complex in the wake of Hannah's death and learning what led to her suicide. That personality trait manifested more and more across the seasons, as he assumed a leader-like role over 13 Reasons Why's tight-knit group of friends. His responses ranged from reaching out to those in pain to seeking violent or otherwise destructive vengeance on those who inflicted trauma. By the end of 13 Reasons Why season 3, however, the weight of everybody's secrets and self-imposed burdens led to frequent psychological breaks within Clay's mind - producing issues that, for far too long, went largely unaddressed.
During 13 Reasons Why season 4, Clay was finally steered towards getting help for his myriad mental health problems. Across the episodes, Clay frequently met with a therapist. Initially, Clay was apprehensive and refused to divulge the full truth regarding what was plaguing him. That remained true for the entirety of the episodes, with Clay steadfast in keeping many the secrets that had sparked his decline. However, he eventually opened up to the fact that it wasn't mere anxiety and depression that he suffered but also highly erratic, disassociative episodes. It could be argued that the show never fully delved into giving Clay a firm diagnosis or truly explored his subsequent recovery. 13 Reasons Why season 4 conveyed that Clay had at least one breakthrough in therapy, though, and started to come to grips with his problems. The series finale equally established that he would continue treatment with Dr. Robert Ellman even after he ventured to college.
In terms of college, it was revealed that Clay had been accepted by Brown University. The news came despite Clay's slipping grades and an awkward interview - mostly thanks to Ani's intervention with his initial application. It also came amid the tragic passing of Justin Foley from AIDS-related illnesses. Though mourning his adopted brother, Clay concluded 13 Reasons Why season 4 trying to maintain a positive outlook on life. This was largely prompted by his reading of Justin's college essay, which listed Clay as his positive influence. Clay's new attitude was reflected in his Graduation speech - in which he encouraged people to find beauty where they could and choose life in ways that Hannah and Justin had ultimately been unable.
Clay's new attitude also manifested in him finally learning to let go of the past and instead embrace the future. After speaking with a hallucination of Justin about forgiveness and glimpsing Hannah Baker one last time, Clay executed the former by ceremoniously burying Hannah's tapes. At the same time, though he and the gang lamented everything that happened, they made peace with the fact that it also made them firm friends. Clay also demonstrated his commitment to the latter when he met arranged a future date with fellow Brown freshman, Heidi. Now just as open with his parents as his therapist, Clay was last seen trusted to head out of town on a road trip with best friend Tony Padilla. The scene of them silently driving along together mirrored a similar scene in season 1 - effectively bringing 13 Reasons Why somewhat full circle and conveying that Clay had finally achieved a measure of peace.