Summary
13 Reasons Why season 4, episode 9, “Prom” is the beginning of the end as the group of friends enjoy a night of dancing.
This recap of Netflix series 13 Reasons Why season 4, episode 9, “Prom” contains significant spoilers.
How does 13 Reasons Why season 4, episode 9, “Prom” open?
Episode 9 begins with Clay asking Justin if he needs rehabilitation but he doesn’t want to take more of his parent’s money. At school, Dean Foundry wants to know who the instigators are and threatens to cancel the prom.
Diego is frustrated
Diego tells Jessica that Justin really didn’t want her arrested. When Jessica laughs, Diego gets very frustrated and says he’s going to see Dean Foundry and he might talk. 13 Reasons Why season 4, episode 9, “Prom” sees the truth itching to come out.
Getting the parents on side
Clay tells his therapist Ellman that he keeps secrets to protect his friends. He tells his friends what he’s done; the cameras, the graffiti and blowing up the car. Charlie suggests that they get their parents on their side so they have a chance of winning the war; this way they can get back prom and the investigation slowly goes away. The group come to the conclusion that their parents will care about prom. 13 Reasons Why season 4, episode 9, “Prom” sees the students seeking manipulative tactics to win the war.
The truth
Justin and Clay admit to Clay’s parents that they have been lying. Clay tells his parents they need to open up the lines of communication again; Clay admits the vandalism at school, the broken windows and Boland’s school was all him and that he didn’t remember doing it because of his trauma but he is working on it. Justin admits to using drugs again — he believes he needs a few days to rest and clean up. Clay then lands the request — “We want to go to Prom”.
Bring back the prom
Jessica tells Boland that it’s in his best interest to remove the sanctions on Prom; the riot police did not look good on social media and the parents want it back. Boland agrees to remove sanctions after Jessica argues strongly about student safety and the reputation of the school. The prom is back and the subsequent scenes see all the characters find their partners for prom.
Prom starts
The party is in full swing and 13 Reasons Why season 4, episode 9, “Prom” feels like the beginning of the end with characters getting along more than usual. Clay feels like they are still under surveillance. Diego tells Jessica that he misses her and that he came alone tonight — “We have something, Jess”.
Alex’s brief guilt.
Alex tells Zach and Jessica that Bryce should be here and that he didn’t deserve to die. Zach agrees but also states that Bryce made their lives a nightmare and they don’t deserve to die either. Meanwhile, Clay takes it all in, “before it’s gone”.
Winston asks Ani a question
Winston tells Ani that he thinks Jessica killed Bryce — Ani states that the case is closed. Winston asks why he covers for them. Ani says she came to the town and loved her group of friends straight away and that one day, he will have to make a decision. As she walks away, Winston sees Monty in the middle of the dancefloor (in his mind) and pretends to dance with him. Monty then leaves the prom and it feels like closure. Will Winston drop it now?
Prom King and Queen
Prom King and Queen are announced as Alex and Charlie. The crowd chants for them to kiss. As they do the King and Queen dance, Alex reveals that a part of him will always be sad — they profess their love for each other. 13 Reasons Why season 4, episode 9, “Prom” brings some genuine happiness for Alex who has endured a lot of pain. Everyone starts dancing apart from Clay who is still taking it all in — he narrates how they all care about prom.
How does 13 Reasons Why season 4, episode 9, “Prom” end?
Justin shows up in his white suit and looks at Jessica across the room; Diego watches on. Justin tells Jessica that he loves her more than life. Jessica tells him to hold her and never let go. Diego looks hurt. Clay tells Ani that he’s never felt the love Justin and Jessica feel and iterates that he was never ready for a relationship. Ani states that it’s difficult for any girl to live up to Clay’s ideal and they both agree to be good friends.
Clay asks his mother if she’d like to dance and they join the dance floor. He narrates saying as the night got older, they kept dancing and dancing like it was the end of the world. Suddenly, Justin collapses. “And it was”. 13 Reasons Why season 4, episode 9, “Prom” is the beginning of the end as the group of friends enjoy a night of dancing.
Additional points
- Charlie tells his father that he is bisexual and has a boyfriend.
- Tyler asks Estelle if she will go to senior prom with him.
- Zach brings an escort to Prom.
- Dean Foundry introduces his husband to Alex and Charlie.
- Alex brings Charlie to family dinner and reveals he is his boyfriend; he thought it would be a bigger deal but the family is chill about it.
