*Warning: Spoilers ahead*
ICYMI: Part 2 of Firefly Lane season 2 is now streaming on Netflix. And if there’s one takeaway from the newest installment, it’s that the streaming service deserves an award for honoring the story without dragging it out for seven seasons.
For those who’ve read the best-selling book by Kristin Hannah, you probably had a similar mindset as me going into Firefly Lane part 2. Part of me thought—or maybe hoped—that Netflix would change the ending. That way, I wouldn’t find myself in a puddle of tears when Kate (Sarah Chalke) inevitably loses her battle with cancer.
Spoiler alert: Netflix didn’t change it. The streaming service stayed true to the ending, and in hindsight, I’m glad it did because it’s painfully realistic for anyone who’s experienced grief.
The book ends the same way as the show—with Tully (Katherine Heigl) reading Kate’s “beyond the grave letter” and dancing to “Dancing Queen” outside of the funeral venue. *Wipes tear*
The ending is raw, heartbreaking and something that everyone can relate to. But there are a few made-for-TV elements that benefited the story without overshadowing the main theme of everlasting friendship. For example, in the show, Kate spends her final days writing a book about her life, titled Firefly Lane, which is gifted to Tully after Kate’s passing. (This didn’t happen in the book.)
Another TV add-on is Marah’s (Yael Yurman) wedding. Throughout the second half of season 2, the episodes show flash-forwards to Marah’s future nuptials. The scenes feature heartfelt moments between Tully and Marah, but Kate isn’t seen. So, the viewer is left to wonder if Kate is there (but not shown) or, well, you get the idea.
Though there are currently no plans, perhaps there’s still an opportunity for Netflix to do another season down the line based on Hannah’s sequel, Fly Away: A Novel. But I appreciate how Netflix created a full circle ending here that honored Hannah’s original work and left no questions unanswered. (Is that too much to ask for?)
Alexa, play “Dancing Queen” by ABBA.
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