3 Theories About That Puzzling Flash-Forward on Netflix's Firefly Lane

Published on 2/4/2021 at 4:15 PM

It only took me one episode to become completely obsessed with Firefly Lane. While the Netflix series, which is based on Kristin Hannah's book of the same name, is cheesy at times — as with most romance shows — it's the dramatic storylines that really pull you in. And since the series jumps back and forth in time, you're constantly trying to piece the storylines together as you watch. However, things really come to head in the final episode.

Early on, we learn that someone has died, as Kate is shown attending a funeral with her daughter Marah in a flash-forward. As a result, the entire first season becomes a guessing game of whose funeral Kate is attending. While it's largely hinting that Tully is dead in the time jump, that theory is eventually squashed when she comes face-to-face with Kate in episode seven. However, what's more unsettlingly is that Kate and Tully appear to no longer be friends in the flash-forward.

In the final episode, when it's revealed that the funeral is actually for Kate's father, the two have another tense interaction as Kate tells Tully to leave. "No one wants you here," she says. While it's never revealed why they aren't speaking anymore, it's implied that Tully did something very hurtful, as Kate told her she would "never forgive her" for what she did. So, what exactly did Tully do? Read ahead as we break down the most plausible theories for that cliffhanger ending.

They Have a Falling Out Over Their New Business Deal

In the final episode, Kate and Tully decide to go into business together with Kate as Tully's new producer. Though Kate seems skeptical at first, Tully convinces her it will be great before proclaiming, "Firefly Lane girls forever!" Of course, that didn't actually end up being true, so perhaps Tully wronged Kate along the way. Even though they've always been best friends, they've also always had conflict. Something tells us that working together (again) might not be the best thing for their relationship.

They Get Caught Up in Another Love Triangle

As we learn through flashbacks, Kate, Tully, and Johnny have a long and complicated history together. While Kate and Johnny eventually get married and have a daughter later in life, he actually slept with Tully first, which really hurt Kate. I don't know about you, but something about Kate and Tully's conversation in the flash-forward makes it seem like their reason for not speaking to each other is about way more than a business deal as Tully asks, "Don't you think you've punished me enough?" Perhaps something happens between Johnny and Tully that causes a rift between her and Kate.

Tully Oversteps With Kate's Daughter Again

It's worth noting that in the book, Kate and Tully actually have a falling out over Kate's daughter Marah when Tully oversteps a line. A similar storyline happens on the show when Tully signs off for Marah to get birth control without Kate's permission, but they eventually resolve the issue. Will the second season draw more inspiration from the book or go a completely different route? Only time will tell.