Episode 1 of "The Runarounds" kicks off with a thrilling journey to Wilmington, North Carolina, nestled in the sun-drenched heart of America. Charlie Cooper, an eighteen-year-old aspiring guitarist, has just secured a spot in college, yet his true ardor lies in the strings of his guitar. Together with his friends, he forms the band Futhermucker, and with graduation looming just a week away, Charlie dreams of making his band a phenomenon, enabling them to chase their musical aspirations rather than being torn apart by separate paths.
Joining Charlie in this endeavor are Neil, a singer and guitarist who, despite his stoner demeanor, possesses a dreamy charisma that captivates the ladies, standing in stark contrast to lead guitarist Topher. Topher, the captain of the golf team and a Princeton-bound student largely due to the manipulations of his girlfriend Amanda, leads a life that couldn't be more different from that of Petey, the band's drummer. While not exactly proficient behind the kit, Petey makes up for it with his warm heart and legendary parties, which certainly have their perks.
The band has captured the hearts of the entire school, becoming superstars partly due to their wild antics. At a lively party that very night, Charlie encounters Sophia, his other driving force behind keeping the band afloat. Pretty, nerdy, and the school's valedictorian, Sophia has been the object of Charlie's affections for years, yet she views him as a heartbreaker and keeps her distance.
However, despite Charlie's belief in their band's prowess, the truth is far from flattering. Much of their musical shortcomings stem from Pete, whose drumming is erratic at best. During their performance at his party, Pete's deficiencies are laid bare when he's heckled by Bez, a talented drummer in the audience. Realizing they have a drumming crisis on their hands, Charlie convinced the band that they must let Pete go. With their next gig looming, they bite the bullet and deliver the devastating news to him.
Recall Bez? He harbors ambitions to depart for New York immediately upon donning his graduation cap, yet, intriguingly, his path takes an unexpected detour when he and his companion Wyatt stumble upon posters plastered across town, calling for new band members. Drawn by the call, they audition and, to their delight, secure spots in the ensemble.
The high school graduation ceremony unfolds, with Sophia stealing the spotlight during her address. Abandoning her prepared remarks, she pours her heart out, expressing regret for missing out on parties and living life to the fullest. Her speech culminates with the poignant line, "Write love songs to change the world," echoing Charlie's dream and the very words he once whispered to her.
At the graduation bash, an awkward twist arises with Pete's arrival. He sports a tattoo of the band's name on his chest, a testament to his undiminished enthusiasm despite being exiled from their ranks. Unperturbed, he gladly adopts the role of their biggest cheerleader.
Amidst Wyatt grappling with a pang of anxiety, the band musters the courage to take the stage. Meanwhile, Topher finds himself at odds with Amanda, adding another layer of tension to the evening. Nevertheless, the band performs, delivering a memorable set that leaves the audience breathless and teases the cliffhangers yet to unfold in subsequent episodes.
