The climactic Episode 8 of "The Runarounds" kicks off with the band members being apprehended for their impromptu rooftop concert. Bez faces Theo's stern rebuke for his escapades, while Charlie returns home to a chilly reception from Finn and Hannah. Finn, still unwilling to extend forgiveness, intends to put Charlie to work as a form of penance.
Regarding Charlie and his family, although they are fortunate enough to reclaim their deposit, their aspiration of Charlie joining the band has come to an abrupt end. Burdened by the inability to meet the mortgage payments, the family is compelled to pack up and vacate their home.
Finn tasks Charlie with assisting in boxing up old documents in the basement. To his astonishment, amidst the yellowing pages, Charlie stumbles upon school yearbooks. Flipping through them, he discovers pictures of Catesby and Hannah together, along with his own Birth Certificate, where the Father's Name section is ominously labeled "unknown."
The pieces of the puzzle fall into place for Charlie, and the stark reality dawns upon him. Realizing that his parents have been deceiving him all along, he dashes out of the house in a fit of rage, abandoning Sophia, whom he was supposed to chauffeur to Chapel Hill.
Meanwhile, Wyatt returns to his own abode, only to find it eerily deserted. Wendy has vanished without a trace, leaving Wyatt desolate and abandoned, with not even a goodbye to mark her departure.
Does the band manage to secure another performance? Meanwhile, in a gesture of reconciliation following their awkward parting, Phoebe extends an olive branch to Neil. Catching sight of him on TV in handcuffs, she proposes that The Runarounds should serve as the opening act for Kitty Hawk at the prestigious Kill Devil Ballroom, the East Coast's elite venue, which could prove to be a pivotal opportunity for their career.
Unbeknownst to Neil, his father learns that he suffers from Painter's Lung, shedding light on his troubling coughing fits. Yet, out of a desire not to dampen Neil's spirits, he keeps this news to himself.
Charlie dashes down the street to confront Catesby about his parentage, his emotions spiraling into a shouting match that surprisingly culminates in a heartfelt embrace. Suddenly struck by the realization that he's completely forgotten about Sophia, Charlie rushes off in search of her, only to find his calls going unanswered. In despair, he joins the band, who are all gathered, and opens up about his true parentage and the turmoil it's caused him. Upon learning about the gig, they decide to embark on a road trip to perform at the club. Intriguingly, Lawrence and Jeremy from Galaxy Records will also be in attendance, thanks to Izzy's relentless perseverance.
What transpires during their live performance? To add an element of unpredictability, Danny too is present at the gig. Upon realizing that the label reps are there to scout The Runarounds, she lambasts both the band and Galaxy Records. Though she is currently with Kitty Hawk, she warns the label off her current band.
Izzy offers the band some inspiring words, urging them to give it their all and impress the executives for their upcoming big show. Sophia also arrives, having gained some enlightening insights about her relationship with Charlie from her new roommate, Rach. When Charlie dedicates a song to Sophia, she abruptly leaves mid-performance. In the heat of the moment, Charlie dashes after her, abandoning his band in the lurch. Though they manage to somewhat recover by playing another song without him, Lawrence is far from impressed.
Outside, Sophia confides in the need for someone who will stand by her side, even when life's plans go awry. Throughout the series, Charlie has consistently failed to demonstrate such devotion, often absorbed in his personal dramas. Whether it was abandoning Tatum or prioritizing fame over artistic integrity, Charlie now seeks redemption. He unfolds to Sophia the melodramatic tale of his birth father and why he couldn't make it to Chapel Hill for her. He declares his love for her, which she returns in kind.
Charlie eventually returns to the stage, where they perform their new song, effectively salvaging the remainder of the show and warming up the crowd for their Kitty Hawk gig. Following the concert, both Jeremy and Lawrence make their way backstage to address the band.
Lawrence confirms that Galaxy won't be signing them. He acknowledges their talent but cites Charlie's impromptu stage exit and betrayal of his bandmates as a significant concern. He wishes them well and commends their performance, yet it's not the response they yearned for.
Does the band's journey come to an end? As they drive back home, their trailer becomes detached and careens to the opposite side of the road, causing a devastating accident. The collision wrecks all their gear and narrowly misses another motorist. Instead of checking on the other driver, the band turns on Charlie, blaming his selfish profession of love for their trailer – and subsequently, all their equipment – being destroyed. Bez and Topher berate Charlie for his selfishness, and this proves to be the final straw for the band, who disband right there and then, following their first major setback.
Despite Galaxy's unwavering refusal, Izzy refused to accept defeat and managed to persuade Danny to give The Runarounds another go. Meanwhile, the rest of the group relaxed, engrossed in Bender's video depicting the future, which followed Amanda's departure for college and her heartfelt confession of her sexuality to Topher.
As Charlie gazed around at his comrades, contemplating the potential futures awaiting them all while watching this poignant home video, his fleeting thoughts were soon overshadowed by an unexpected twist. Danny Mace burst in, sending ripples through their tranquil moment with the revelation of a contract. This pact was not only beneficial to everyone involved but also carried a whopping half-million-dollar value. With a promise to propel them to global stardom, she sealed their fate as the series drew to a thrilling close.
