‘Firefly Lane’ Season 2 Part 2 Ending Explained: Kate Mularkey's death shocks nobody but gives closure to fans
Spoilers for ‘Firefly Lane’ Season 2 Episode 16
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: All good things must come to an end, and that includes ‘Firefly Lane’ Season 2 Part 2. This entire season has been an extremely emotional and bittersweet affair, that trend continues in the season finale with ‘Firefly Lane’ Season 2 Episode 16. Netflix and the creators of ‘Firefly Lane’ have honored Kristin Hannah and the source material from which the series was adapted, and that reflects in the series finale.
Once again, Katherine Heigl, Ben Lawson, and Sarah Chalke deliver phenomenal performances, channeling every emotion possible as the series ends with ‘Firefly Lane’ Season 2 Episode 16. The ending truly focuses on the relationship between Tully Hart and Kate Mularkey as letters are written from beyond the grave.
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Kate’s somber death speaks volumes
Before ‘Firefly Lane’ Season 2 even started, fans knew they were heading were an emotional season, especially since the book revolves around Kate’s breast character and her subsequent death. It would have been incredibly unwise of Netflix and the creators to take a different route, but that doesn’t make it any easier. Kate rests in peace, leaving behind her legacy penned down in a book titled ‘Firefly Lane.’ Throughout the season, we see Kate trying to finish her book, and when she finally does, she tells Johnny Ryan what it’s all about. A book that will help her daughter, Marah, learn everything about her mother, the good, bad, and ugly after she dies
The morning after finishing her book, as Johnny brings Kate down for breakfast, she talks about washing Marah’s witch costume, which hints at the disorientation that happens closer to a person’s passing away. Johnny sucks in a deep breath, composing himself as he prepares for the worst. Kate spends time with Tully that day, overlooking the beautiful view from the house they all built together. As Tully gets up to get another cup of tea, Kate admires the view, taking in the different sounds of birds chirping and waves crashing. She’s at peace. After a long, hard battle with cancer, Kate Mularkey is finally at peace.
As she watches over, Kate’s head slightly tilts, and that’s all the indication viewers need to know that she has died. Tully comes back with her cup of tea, excited to tell Kate more about Danny when she realizes that her best friend is no more. There are no dramatics, no shaking the body trying to wake her up, no screaming. Tully simply turns away, allowing herself a moment to cry, letting it sink in.
‘Firefly Lane’ Season 2 ends on a bittersweet note
There’s a little time skip, straight to the funeral, and breaks our hearts to watch Johnny and Marah greet the guests as they attend the funeral. The last ones to arrive at Tully, Cloud, and Danny. As Cloud and Danny make their way in, Tully pulls Johnny into a hug, something they both needed on a day like this. Johnny then proceeds to hand her box, because, of course, Kate wouldn’t have left Tully without saying a final goodbye, one from beyond the grave.
Kate, with Johnny’s help, curated a box of things for Tully, one that she trusted Johnny would give Tully after her death. As Johnny heads inside, Tully takes a moment to herself, going through the contents of the box, reliving moments with her best friend. The box is full of memories: a letter, the book, a rolled joint that says ‘smoke me’, and most importantly an iPod that says ‘play me.’ Tully puts on the earphones and hits play on the ‘firefly lane mix.’ Katherine Heigl in the closing scene of ‘Firefly Lane’ Season 2 dances to ‘dancing queen,’ the song that belonged to Kate and her. Tully might not have had the closure she needed just yet, but at least she got to say goodbye.