In shooting and killing Julie, Maddie saved her friend from further torture—so while she did something terrible, she also did something very compassionate and kind. Julie essentially asks Maddie to do this when she yells “Kiss me, Hardy!” because she knows that Maddie will understand the reference. In this way, the phrase (and Maddie’s mercy killing of Julie) is a final testament to the women’s deep, enduring friendship. It also draws an interesting parallel between Julie and Maddie and Nelson (the originator of this quote) and Hardy. Hardy, of course, didn’t kill Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar—but he did ease his friend’s death by being there for him, just as Maddie’s presence likely made Julie’s last moments a bit brighter.