This '13 Reasons Why' Season 2 Theory About Tyler Is So, So Dark
Although Netflix hasn't confirmed that Season 2 of "13 Reasons Why" will happen, the series left viewers with plenty of unanswered questions. Will Alex survive? Will Bryce be brought to justice for his crimes? Will Mr. Porter face consequences for his terrible mishandling of Hannah's rape report?
All these loose ends made the series more realistic — after all, it was hardly meant to be a satisfying watch.
But a super dark "13 Reasons Why" Season 2 theory suggests that the show could go in a completely different -- but equally disturbing -- direction if it gets the green light. In the season finale, there are indications that Tyler may be planning a school shooting.
Shortly after the show began streaming, an intriguing theory gained major traction on social media.
On the surface, it appeared that Alex shot himself, but people spotted clues that he was actually shot by Tyler. The bullied school photographer was shown buying a gun towards the end of the season and by the finale, he was in possession of a box containing multiple guns and ammunition.
Tyler also had photos of his classmates hanging in his room — and, as he stood staring at them, he took down Alex's picture after he recalled an incident in which Alex stuck up for him.
So, I don't quite buy the theory that he shot Alex — the only scenario in which he may have been involved is if the troubled teen asked him for help committing suicide and Tyler mistakenly believed he was doing the right thing and saw it as a way to put Alex out of his misery.
But it seems more likely that Tyler is planning a school shooting and he removed Alex's photo after recalling his classmate's act of kindness.
The remaining photos on his wall are of Courtney, Bryce, Sheri, Justin, Marcus, and Clay — many of the same people included on Hannah's tapes. Although Tyler was on one of the tapes, he was still excluded and ostracized as the other recipients engaged in private conversations about how to handle the situation.
Like Hannah, he feels that many of his classmates have wronged him — but, in Tyler's case, Clay himself is on that list because he shared a naked photo of Tyler with the school to "get back" at him for spreading the photo of Hannah and Courtney kissing.
Although Hannah's tapes were an attempt to encourage people to be kinder to one another, it would really be no surprise if her plan backfired in a major way.
If Season 2 does happen and this is the storyline, it seems likely that Tyler will tell each and every person on his "list" what they did to harm him.
Suicide wasn't the answer to Hannah's problems, and her tapes may have had the opposite of their intended effect. If Season 2 returns with the plot line of a school shooting, it seems highly likely that the events described on Hannah's tapes and the aftermath of their delivery will play a role in Tyler's actions. This would give showrunners an opportunity to tie up the loose ends that left many viewers clamoring for answers.
If handled correctly, this storyline could be an opportunity to address the extremely relevant issues of gun violence and school shootings. Still, it would be far trickier to pull off. Like everyone else in the world, Hannah was far from perfect — but she was a sympathetic character who took her own life.
The same can't be said of Tyler if he chooses to shoot his classmates.
The theory is plausible, but it would only work if the subject matter is handled with the upmost level of responsibility and sensitivity.
If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts, call 911, or call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.
Citations: This Theory About What Will Happen in Season Two of "13 Reasons Why" is Pretty Scary (Seventeen)
