Kate Deserves a Happy Ending, But Will Firefly Lane Writers Ignore Books?

The official trailer for the second part of Firefly Lane season two has recently dropped, causing a huge stir among fans who are itching to know what the show's concluding episodes have in store for them.

Since the series is based on Kristin Hannah's novel of the same name, viewers have a decent idea of what they may expect to see in the upcoming episodes. However, as it's always the case with adaptations, there is still a chance that Netflix's Firefly Lane may take an unexpected twist.

In particular, there is one important plot element that concerns every single fan — Kate Mularkey dying from cancer. The book ends with the heroine succumbing to the disease, leaving her life-long friend Tully Hart on her own.

And although the series' new trailer also hints at this outcome with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer, some fans still hold onto their hope, wishing to see Kate successfully battle her illness and reunite with Tully.

Many viewers really root for the character, arguing that the scriptwriters could change the ending of the story to compensate for Kate's misfortunes throughout her life — and also to make the plot itself more interesting and original. Here's how one of the fans summed up this opinion on Reddit:

'A character dying of cancer is such a popular theme, and honestly I wish to see a more hopeful scenario of someone actually making it. Kate was a sidekick her whole life [...] she never had this moment of standing up for herself [...] I wish we could see her having this moment while fighting with cancer.'

Fans also point out that, while the trailer clearly prepares viewers for a tragic ending, this may be a trap to make people believe they know how the story will end.

'The trailer really is pushing the idea that she doesn't [make it],' another person noted on Reddit, 'So I'm thinking it's got to be the opposite in the end.'

All in all, we can't completely reject the possibility of the show's creators sparing Kate and giving the series a happy ending.

Unless they're going to adapt Fly Away, the book sequel to Firefly Lane — and Netflix hasn't made such an announcement — there is no need to stick to the source material, even in such major plot details.

Besides, this wouldn't be the first (or the millionth) time screenwriters diverge from the book to create a happier ending in the adaptation.

Firefly Lane Season 2 Part 2 will be released on April 27, 2023.