Fair warning: Keep a set of tissues with you as you join me on this Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2 review and ending explained! This dramedy is notorious for leaving the audience teary-eyed and emotionally drained–in a manner not many friendship sagas have managed to achieve. Firefly Lane chronicles the bittersweet tale of two ride-or-die best friends, Kate Mularkey (Sarah Chalke) and Tallulah Hart (Katherine Heigh). While Tully is a tormenting tornado, Kate is an aggressive storm and their friendship is a rollercoaster.
Manifested by Maggie Friedman, Firefly Lane follows Kate and Tully. They weave through heartbreaks, painful breakups, the pressure of survival and the struggle of holding onto relationships. While there are loads of friendship-based tales out there, Firefly Lane is a welcome addition to the lot. It is, indeed, worthy of the cruel break it took between its last season, thanks to Netflix’s stellar marketing strategy. But now that Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2 is here, it compensates for the half-year gap it took!
Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2: Why Did Tully And Kate Breakup?
The previous seasons of this friendship-based dramedy have introduced us to Kate and Tully’s unyielding bond. But Part 1 of Season 2 left us on a major cliffhanger and a glaring question. Why did Tully and Kate break up? The answer isn’t as mystifying or intriguing as you must be thinking–but an emotional one, that is for sure. Tully was involved in a drunk-and-drive car accident with Kate’s daughter, Marah (Yael Yurman), risking both of their lives. What starts as an emotional argument turns into a full-blown war. And then a nasty friendship fallout for Kate and Tully.
Also, the previous season hinted at a funeral and whisperings of a dead best friend which left the viewers wondering who died in Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2. The series is adapted from the best-selling novel series of the same name by Kristin Hannah. The end would have been predictable but it was not guaranteed whether showrunner Maggie Friedman would stick wholly to the novels. She did that though!
The dead person the sophomore season and the sequel of this dramedy hinted at isn’t Kate but Lisa-Karen. The series once again continues its time-relapsing. It takes us back to the time when Coop asked out Kate but she refused. Lisa-Karen insisted and Kate went out with Coop only to come back later and find out that Lisa-Karen was killed. As heartbreaking as Lisa-Karen’s death is, this isn’t the only death happening in Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2.
Kate Is Drained Of Energy Yet Motivated By Gruelling Emotions
Right from the first episode, Kate has been dealing with the ruthless disease–breast cancer. Though she won the war with her daughter, Marah, her best friend, Tully, and the love of her life, Johnny (Ben Lawson), by her side, her accomplishment fails. The cancer has returned with full force, this time it has reached Kate’s brain and is eating her out alive. There is a death threat looming over her head. Yet, Kate takes her sweet time accepting Tully’s apology for being reckless–probably the reason why this friendship dramedy is so beloved.
Initially, Firefly Lane, was perceived to be a light-heart-warmer with doses of laughter and punches of reality. It turns out, this is a full-fledged, well-planned soul-christening show. Kate might have survived once. Tully might have dealt with her best friend lying on the deathbed once. But this time, both of them–and the entire Mularkey and Hart families–are aware that Kate isn’t going to stay for long. So, they all put up a smile, hide their tears, convince their hearts and get ready to give Kate what she needs the most–their love and support.
Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2 Ending: Kate Is Dead, Her Memories Aren’t
It is a goosebump-inducing moment, a heart-breaking instance of watching Johnny and Marah dealing with Kate’s deteriorating health. But it is absolutely nerve-chilling to witness Kate watch her daughter relying on her best friend and Kate standing up for Marah. At last, Kate succumbs to death in the comfort of her home, surrounded by the people she loves the most. I wouldn’t use the phrase “their friendship was beautifully over” since Kate’s last gesture proves that there is no end to friendships and relationships.
At the end of Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2, Johnny and Tully stand at the funeral of Kate. The rest of the people blur when Johnny holds his tears back and Tully controls her shivering hands. Kate, being the aspiring writer she was, left a book for her best friend, Johnny and Marah. As the climax approaches. Tully opens the box apprehensively. She finds out Kate has weaved all her thoughts into the book she wanted to tell them now and what she would have wanted to in the future.
Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2 Review: A Phenomenal Take On Ride Or Die Friendship
Before I dive into assessing the show and weighing its drawbacks, I would like to take a moment and insist that Kirstin Hannah be applauded for manifesting the brilliant novel series, Firefly Lane. It is because of her creative imagination and heartfelt storytelling that I am left to hold tighter to my best friend and never take her for granted–and so is the rest of the world. Initially, when the Firefly Lane novel series was announced to be adapted into a Netflix series by Friedman, it did not pique my interest like the other mysterious thrillers and emotional dramas do. To me, it was another series trying to explore the lives of two best friends–a cliche to be honest.
But then, Firefly Lane Season 1 was out and the reviews made me dive into the series. And what a commendable series is it! Both the lead actresses, the supportive cast and Friedman have contributed immensely to making the dramedy a tear-inducing, heart-warming tale. The issue with the series is that it does not make it easy to keep up with its fast pace. The constant time jumps take away the essence at times and cut the attention harshly. Aside from that, Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2 is a compelling friendship fable best enjoyed on a lazy day, cocooned with your best friend! Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2 stands at a solid 8.5 on 10 from me.