Spoilers for the first season of 13 Reasons Why. The finale implies that Alex attempted suicide and survived, but it does not show the attempt or confirm one definitive motive. The clearest context is the regret the series explicitly attributes to him; viewers can reasonably read that regret as guilt over his part in harming Hannah.
What happens to Alex at the end of season one?
The finale leaves Alex’s fate as a cliffhanger. In TV Guide’s account, the attempt itself is not shown: the principal says Alex shot himself, and an emergency responder identifies the patient as a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound. The episode does not depict Alex firing the gun or spell out everything he was thinking. TV Guide’s season-one finale recap describes the reveal.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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13 Reasons Why: Season One | $9.38 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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13 Reasons Why: Season One and Season Two (DVD 2-Pack) | $28.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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13 Reasons Why: Season Two | $24.59 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Thirteen Reasons Why | $9.90 | Buy on Amazon |
Why might Alex have attempted suicide?
Regret is established; a single cause is not
Netflix’s official description of “Tape 2, Side A” says, “As Alex struggles with feelings of regret, the guys pressure Clay into getting drunk.” That places regret in Alex’s story before the finale, but it does not identify a single reason for his later attempt. Netflix’s episode listing provides that description.
His actions toward Hannah give viewers a basis for reading that regret as guilt
The Television Academy’s season overview says Alex put Hannah’s name on a list ranking girls’ bodies, worsening the rumors and objectification directed at her. Given that history, guilt about the harm he helped cause is a grounded interpretation of his regret. The story evidence does not establish that this was his sole motive, or that one action mechanically led to the attempt. The Television Academy’s overview summarizes Alex’s role in that harm.
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What the show does—and does not—make clear
- Established: The finale implies Alex attempted suicide and survived.
- Established: The series describes him as struggling with regret before the finale.
- Interpretation: His regret may include guilt about his actions toward Hannah and their consequences.
- Not established: A definitive, singular explanation for the attempt. The finale leaves the event and Alex’s full state of mind largely offscreen.
13 Reasons Why is adapted from Jay Asher’s novel of the same name, as noted in the Television Academy’s season overview. That adaptation context does not supply a more definitive motive for the television finale.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Author: Jay Asher.
- Publisher: Razorbill
- Pages: 288
- Publication Date: 2011-06-14
- Edition: 1st
Rank #3
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