13 Reasons Why: Trying to Remember What Alex Did to Hannah? So Is He

The first season of 13 Reasons Why ends with several cliffhangers, but the main one revolves around Alex Standall's suicide attempt. As the second season opens, we learn that he is alive, but he's lost the mobility of his left arm and requires a cane to support that side when he walks. However, the most devastating aspect of his recovery is that he's lost all memory of the events in the month prior to the shooting. This includes the content of the tapes and his role in Hannah's story. Therefore, much of Alex's second season journey revolves around uncovering those events.

According to Tape 2, Side A, the episode dedicated to Alex, Hannah blames him for breaking her heart and destroying her only lifeline to friendship. On the tape, she references the damage created by his "Hot List:" "At first I thought, what a stupid list. Jessica is so much prettier than me. I didn't think of the chaos it would cause."

The whole scenario finds its roots in the breakup of Alex and Jessica. The two split when Jessica refuses to have sex with Alex. To get back at his ex, Alex creates a "Hot List," where he awards Hannah with "Best Ass" and Jessica with "Worst Ass." The unfortunate side of effect of all this is that Bryce Walker and his posse assume the list means Alex has had sex with Hannah. Thus, the rumour not only solidifies Hannah's reputation as a slut, but also ruins her friendship with Jessica, who blames her breakup with Alex on Hannah's promiscuity.

The story is heart breaking because unlike many of the student's on Hannah's list, Alex shows remorse for Hannah's plight. Even though he reluctantly helps Bryce intimidate Clay and joins Courtney Crimsen during her pre-depostion pow-wow, he eventually speaks out against those who want to label Hannah a liar:

"You want to get the story straight? We all know the story. Everything Hannah said on the tapes is true . . . . And, yeah, I'm a fucking weak, pathetic loser who ruined the one good thing that I ever had because I wanted a f*cking rapist to think I was just like him. Hannah was my friend, and we should tell the truth about her. Because I know if I had still been friends with her — I mean, if any one of us would have still been friends with her she'd be alive today."

Alex definitely has his faults, but they say knowing is half the battle. Let's hope he's successful in his continued attempts to make amends.