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13 Reasons Why is a show centered on secrets. Who knew the truth about Hannah Baker? Who has been twisting the facts? And who is the girl in Tape 9?!?!?
Season 2 of 13 Reasons Why focuses on how the Liberty High community is still reeling from Hannah’s death — and how Hannah’s mother is fighting for justice the old fashioned way, in court. However, Hannah’s mom is encountering some trouble building an effective court case against Liberty High. She needs a credible witness who can speak to the culture of rape at the school. She needs someone to point the finger at Bryce Walker. She needs the unnamed girl from “Tape 9.”
Who is the Tape 9 Girl on 13 Reasons Why?
Jessica Davis (played by Alisha Boe) is the unnamed girl from “Tape 9.” In this recording, Hannah recounts how she hid in a closet during a rowdy party, which gave her an opportunity to witness Jessica being raped by her boyfriend Justin’s best friend Bryce. Hannah keeps Jessica’s identity a secret to protect her, but she acknowledges that both she and Justin failed Jessica that night.
What’s the big deal about the Tape 9 Girl?
A big part of the school’s defense case is using nasty gossip about Hannah to twist her into a sexually promiscuous girl who wasn’t raped, and who invited the attention of her peers. Hannah’s mother believes that if they can find the girl in Tape 9 and convince her to take the stand and testify that Bryce Walker raped her, that it will not only serve as proof that Bryce is a rapist but that Hannah was a victim of rape culture at Liberty High.
Was there even a “Tape 9” on the first season of 13 Reasons Why?
Here’s what’s funny: there was never a “Tape 9” to begin with. Hannah only left seven cassette tapes, with 13 sides detailing her titular 13 reasons why. Jessica’s story is on Tape 5, Side A.
It’s possible that, like me, the show forgot about this technicality from Season 1, or maybe they thought that “Tape 9” sounded catchier than “Tape 5, Side A.”
Plus, it’s worth noting that Jessica’s story dominates 13 Reasons Why, Season 1, Episode 9.
