Firefly Lane season 2, part 1 ending explained – what is Kate diagnosed with?

By Daniel Hart - December 2, 2022 (Last updated: September 23, 2024)
firefly-lane-season-2-part-1-ending
By Daniel Hart - December 2, 2022 (Last updated: September 23, 2024)
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Summary

The season 2, part 1 finale leaves on a heartbreaking cliffhanger, making us desperately want part 2 immediately.

We recap Netflix’s Firefly Lane season 2, episode 9, “Hart Shaped Box,” which contains spoilers and explains the ending of part 1.

We always knew season 2 would pull at the heartstrings, but the ending of part 1 of season 2 is the most painful moment of this series yet. The friendship between the two leads is full of chemistry, joy, and sisterhood. However, the consequences of that car accident bring us to an upsetting juncture. The writers leave the audience at the right moment, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. We want part 2 already.

Firefly Lane season 2, episode 9 recap

The finale of part 1 opens up in the 80s; Kate is gushing about her romance with Theo. Tully senses that Theo is not good in bed. Kate admits she wants “to be pounded.” Before she goes on a trip with Theo, Johnny sees her about his “emergency contact.” He gives her a hug and a kiss on the cheek to say goodbye. You can tell Kate still deeply loves Johnny.

In 2004, it’s Thanksgiving, and Danny keeps on visiting Tully, and it’s bothering her that he’s visiting her apartment. However, Cloud asks Danny to stay over.

Kate and Johnny tease about marrying again. However, Kate wants to “choose each other every day” rather than risk divorce again. Johnny wonders if it’s because Tully would not be at the wedding, but Kate denies that.

But then, Kate finds her father dead on the couch. And as we saw at the end of season 1, Tully tries to visit at the funeral, but Kate rejects her. Tully drives away, grieving that she’s lost her best friend for life. To relive old times, Tully visits her old home. Meanwhile, Kate admits to Johnny that he misses Tully — she wants a new friend.

The finale of Firefly Lane season 2, part 1, moves into 2005. Tully and Kate are heading to “1 year apart” in an upsetting, unprecedented phase of the story. Tully is renovating her old family house. She’s managed to make it into a wholesome home while Kate is back in education. Time and space are for healing, and you can feel it in the narrative as the episode moves forward.

In a flashback, Tully’s mother holds a party and young Tully tries to wake her up as she’s unconscious. Cloud’s parole officer is on their way. Tully runs over to young Kate and asks her for help to get rid of everyone. Kate warns everyone at the party that an “officer of the law” is on their way and tells them to “get the fuck out.” However, one of the men, Leon, looks dead after overdosing. Kate thinks they should hide his body; Tully agrees, so they drag him to a hiding place.

Back in 2005, on Thanksgiving, Tully gives Cloud the old house keys; she’s renovated it for her. She tells her she’s free to sell it, rent it out, or have it. Cloud accepts the gift. Meanwhile, Johnny and Kate host Thanksgiving, and they all remember Kate’s father. The main topic is when are Johnny and Kate going to remarry.

Tully tells Danny that she’s “dating herself” as they bring up romance. Danny tells Tully to go back out into the world and work again. He tries convincing her that the gossip surrounding her has moved on.

Firefly Lane season 2, part 1 ending explained – what is Kate diagnosed with?

And then, in 2005, finally, Kate and Tully see each other. It’s painful as they walk past each other and meet eyes before continuing to walk. They’ve missed each other deeply. A true friendship of love. Danny consoles Tully, who is impacted by seeing Kate.

In the 80s, Tully tells Kate that she believes Johnny is still in love with her but doesn’t think he’s ready. Tully tells her not to wait around for Johnny and enjoy Europe with Theo. Tully offers to give Kate a lift to the airport despite having work commitments. Once Kate leaves, Johnny returns to the apartment; he’s regretful for messing things up and begs for her back. But she is not there.

In the 70s, Tully and Kate continue to deal with the assumed dead body and put Leon under the stairs. The parole officer arrives, and Cloud comes from upstairs, looking fresh as a dairy. Once the officer leaves, Cloud states she’s going to get high again. Tully is dismayed that her mother will never look after her. But then, Leon comes from under the stairs. He was not dead. The girls celebrate in relief.

During Christmas time in 2005. Johnny proposes to Kate to remarry. Kate says yes. Later on, Kate is desperate to share the news with Tully, but she rings another friend. However, it doesn’t hit the same way. Tully is her friend for life.

Danny visits Tully at her parents to give her an early Christmas gift. Tully tells Danny that he’s her emergency contact. Danny wishes her a nice trip and kisses her on the cheek, but its obvious feelings are still there.

Kate checks her breasts, and she has an aggressive rash. She heads to the doctor for a check. What is Kate diagnosed with? She learns that she has stage 3 breast cancer, and they need to start treatment right away. She needs Tully now more than ever. As Kate leaves for her trip, Kate visits her apartment. However, in a painful ending to part 1 of season 2, they miss each other.

Episode 9 ends with Kate sobbing at Tully’s door. Ah, fuck.

The season 2, part 1 finale leaves on a heartbreaking cliffhanger, making us desperately want part 2 immediately.

What did you think of Firefly Lane season 2, episode 9, and the ending of part 1? Comment below

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