Netflix's 13 Reasons Why attempted to bring things somewhat full circle in its series finale - but it was missing two key characters. Initially based on the titular novel by Jay Asher, 13 Reasons Why told the tragic tale of Hannah Baker (Katherine Langford), a 17-year-old girl who had taken her own life. Before going through with the act, Hannah recorded onto cassette tapes the reasons that had led to her decision. Coming into possession of the tapes, Clay Jensen (Dylan Minnette) became embroiled in the lives of several other students also named by Hannah - including Justin Foley (Brandon Flynn), Jessica Davis (Alisha Boe), Alex Standall (Miles Heizer), and Bryce Walker (Justin Prentice). Despite 13 Reasons Why season 1 telling a self-contained story, the series was rapidly renewed in the wake of its critical acclaim and popularity.
The follow-up seasons proved increasingly divisive. Amid steady backlash regarding its depiction of such sensitive topics as sexual assault and gun violence, it was announced that 13 Reasons Why season 4 would be the show's last. After several more traumatic, tragic, and emotional turns, the show concluded with the majority of the characters graduating high school. At the same time, Clay once again found himself in possession of Hannah's infamous tapes. In a cathartic moment, he decided to bury them outside of town and finally lay that chapter of his life to rest. Clay was joined in the endeavor by the rest of the cast - both those who had also been on the tapes and those who had joined the show in later seasons. Even past characters like Ryan Shaver (Tommy Dorfman) and Courtney Crimsen (Michele Selene Ang), who hadn't been seen since season 2, returned for the symbolic event.
However, conspicuously absent were Sheri Holland (Ajiona Alexus) and Marcus Cole (Steven Silver). Both characters had been named on Hannah's tapes and served important roles in 13 Reasons Why season 1. They also returned for season 2, as the show explored their differing reactions to the mistakes they had made. Marcus was last seen getting suspended from school in 13 Reasons Why season 2 episode 8, "The Little Girl". Sheri's last appearance, meanwhile, was in 13 Reasons Why season 2, episode 13, "Bye". Like Courtney and Ryan, it was presumed that Marcus and Sheri had graduated or otherwise moved before season 3. However, unlike Ryan and Courtney, they were neither seen nor barely even mentioned again.
On one hand, that might not be surprising regarding the character of Marcus. In the wake of Hannah's tapes, Marcus went above and beyond to preserve his reputation. Those efforts ranged from lying about Hannah in court to willingly helping sexual predators like Bryce Walker. As a result, the character wasn't really endeared to viewers. However, given the show's bizarre commitment to humanizing Bryce Walker and fellow rapist Monty de la Cruz (Timothy Granaderos), it's a wonder that the writers never tried with Marcus.
Whatever the case, there was even less reason to omit Sheri. Unlike Marcus, Sheri faced her mistakes head-on and fought to make amends. Not only did she throw herself on the mercy of the law, but she repeatedly turned out to help Clay and a relapsing Justin. A number of times, she even put her own safety on the line to do so. As such, it felt like a glaring omission not to at least have Sheri back to watch her friends graduate, mourn Justin, and share in the cathartic moment with the tapes.
It could be that both were busy and unable to make filming. After all, Silver, especially, has been busy with a new NBC show Council of Dads. However, Alexus's schedule has been far less packed in recent months. Equally, even if they were unavailable for what amounted to a handful of moments, that doesn't really explain why they couldn't even receive a mention. Given certain discussions that have been taking place in the world regarding such issues as diversity, the omission could potentially seem even more glaring on a deeper level. Even outside of that, however, it serves as a testament to the fact that 13 Reasons Why's ending didn't achieve the level of closure that it could have.