This teen drama, one of Netflix's earlier original series, recently finished its four-season run. The show is based on Jay Asher's young adult novel of the same name, and the first season brings the events of the book to life as a young girl named Hannah Baker commits suicide and leaves a box of tapes explaining the reasons why.
The second, third, and fourth seasons use the initial idea as a jumping-off point and deviate entirely from the book. The second season follows Bryce Walker's trial, the third is essentially a murder mystery after Bryce is found dead, and the fourth untangles the mess left over. These are the top ten episodes from 13 Reasons Why, ranked according to IMDb.
Tape 4, Side B (8.1)
In this tape, Hannah explains how Ryan Shaver let her down and ultimately contributed to her suicide. Ryan is a poet who encourages Hannah to be more creative and express her feelings through poetry.
When Hannah finally does, Ryan publishes her poem without permission, and people laugh at it and accuse it of asking for attention. Hannah is heartbroken and feels betrayed by Ryan. This episode also shares the spot with "Tape 2, Side B," which details Tyler's stalking of Hannah.
Tape 3, Side A (8.2)
Clay and Hannah have an intimate moment at the school dance, but a rumor is floating around about Hannah that interrupts the moment. In the present day, Clay takes Courtney Crimsen to visit Hannah's grave.
In the tape, Hannah explains how Courtney let her down. The two girls became friends, and one night at Hannah's house, Courtney kissed her. Hannah went along with it, but she wasn't romantically interested in Courtney. Still, the rumor escaped, and Courtney twisted it to make Hannah look bad.
Bryce And Chloe (8.2)
In the eleventh episode of season 2, Bryce gives a shocking testimony in court. Chloe is feeling unsure of whose side she's on. Jess tries to reach her by telling her about the boys' clubhouse, but Chloe is afraid to come forward with the truth.
Meanwhile, Alex's memories start to return. In season 1, he shot himself in an attempt to commit suicide, but thankfully the bullet didn't hit where it was intended to. However, Alex still ended up permanently injured.
Tape 1, Side A (8.3)
The series begins when Clay finds a box of tapes left on his doorstep. He eventually finds a way to listen to them and is shocked to find that they're voice recordings left by Hannah Baker, who recently killed herself.
Clay begins to listen to Hannah's story as she explains why she committed suicide, and the first reason is Justin Foley. He asked her out on a date and then embarrassed her by sending an inappropriate photo around that created false implications about Hannah.
Tape 4, Side A (8.4)
Here Hannah explains another of her thirteen reasons. This time, it's Zach Dempsey. He, too, asked her on a date that left both of them feeling humiliated and awkward.
But that's not the worst thing Zach did to Hannah. He made her feel completely alone and isolated when he sabotaged a school project. Students were to leave anonymous compliments for each other, but Zach stole all of those left for Hannah, which made her think she was worthless at a time when she was already feeling low.
Tape 5, Side B (8.6)
Hannah recounts the events of the fateful party where she and Clay kiss. The moment goes wrong, and Hannah leaves, upset. Sheri, a cheerleader she has recently befriended, offers her a ride home.
This ride ends up killing an innocent boy, Clay's friend, and Sheri refuses to accept any of the blame. Meanwhile, Jess grows uneasy and unreliable in the present day as Clay learns the real tragedy of the party.
Tape 5, Side A (8.7)
At the party, Hannah witnesses a terrible event: Jessica is barely conscious in bed when Justin - her boyfriend at the time - comes in. Before anything can happen, Bryce shows up at the door.
What happens next shapes Jessica's character arc for the entire series. It results in years of trauma and healing, and finally an attempt at forgiveness.
Tape 6, Side B (9.0)
Just when viewers thought things couldn't get any worse, Hannah is forced to experience the worst injustice and crime committed against her. After an argument with her parents, Hannah winds up at Bryce's party, where he does the unthinkable to her. Hannah now feels totally alone and at her absolute lowest.
She tries to talk to the school counselor, Mr. Porter, but he doesn't seem to understand or make her feel listened to. In the present day, Justin must decide which side he's on as the students are given subpoenas.
Tape 6, Side A (9.1)
Clay has finally reached his tape, which he listens to in Tony's company. Here, Clay finally grows to understand what happened between him and Hannah, and how Hannah perceived it.
Clay comes to a small resolution after imagining his happy ending with Hannah - though this supposed resolution proves to be short-lived, as seen in seasons 2, 3, and 4. Still, listening to his tape helps Clay to understand a lot about Hannah, himself, and the school system.
Tape 7, Side A (9.2)
The season 1 finale is the show's top-rated episode. All of the stories Hannah has recounted in the tapes culminate in one final decision. By this point, characters and viewers alike already know what her choice is, but the moment still comes as a shock.
After a failed attempt to seek help from Mr. Porter, Hannah decides that she has no other options left. She goes home, records the tapes, sends them to Tony, and kills herself. The graphic scene has since been removed from Netflix's cut. Nine out of ten of the best episodes are from season 1, probably because it has the most refined focus and original concept of the four seasons.