Netflix’s new sitcom, Running Point, is a great watch for fans of comedy and romance. The show follows Isla Gordon (Kate Hudson), a woman from a wealthy family who owns the Los Angeles basketball team, the Waves.
Her brother, Cam (Justin Theroux), is the president of the team and gives Isla a job when she feels lost in her career. However, when Cam is forced to step down, he chooses Isla as his replacement. She works hard throughout the season to prove she deserves the role.
As Isla takes on her new responsibilities, she faces several personal and professional challenges. She tries to lead the Waves to a successful season while managing her relationship with her fiancé, Lev (Max Greenfield). At the same time, she and her brothers deal with the shocking news that their father had another child, Jackie (Fabrizio Guido).
Jackie becomes part of their family and workplace, but he struggles to feel accepted. Additionally, someone within the organization is leaking information, threatening both the team and Isla’s career.
The Season 1 finale, titled Game Seven, brings all these storylines to an intense conclusion while setting up new conflicts for Season 2.
Isla and Her Brothers Finally Accept Jackie as Family
Jackie feels like an outsider throughout the season. Isla and Ness (Scott MacArthur) accept him as their brother early on, but they do not treat him as an equal. Isla mostly sees Jackie as her assistant and constantly assigns him extra work.
Ness enjoys the idea of having another brother but does not spend meaningful time with him. Their other brother, Sandy (Drew Tarver), openly dislikes Jackie and ignores his advice, even when it helps him win back Charlie (Scott Evans). Meanwhile, Cam, who is in rehab, shows no interest in getting to know Jackie at all.
Jackie reaches his breaking point on his mother’s birthday when Isla asks him to leave a family meeting. His siblings later talk to his friend Sofía (Marissa Reyes) and realize how much they have been neglecting him. They find him at the restaurant he visits every year to honor his mother’s memory and sincerely apologize. They promise to do better as his siblings.
From that moment, Jackie became a real part of the family. He joins Isla, Ness, and Sandy as a united front for the rest of the episode. He even sits with them at the Waves’ big game, showing that he finally feels included.
The Waves Face a Tough Loss in the Playoffs
Isla works hard to get the Waves into the Playoffs, and it is a major accomplishment when they make it. Star player Jay (Jay Ellis) promises to stay and help the team win before moving to Boston to be with his kids. Everyone on the team puts in their best effort.
Even without Travis (Chet Hanks), who is in rehab, the players perform well. Dyson (Uche Agada) makes a crucial shot using the “granny method,” a technique that Marcus (Toby Sandeman) helped him feel comfortable using.
For a moment, it looks like the Waves have won the game. However, in a dramatic turn, the opposing team makes an impossible last-second shot, securing the victory. The loss is heartbreaking. Isla struggles to accept the defeat, even though the team did everything right. She feels responsible and takes it personally. While her brothers go out for drinks, she stays behind in the empty stadium to process the loss alone.
Isla and Jay’s Relationship Takes a New Turn
Throughout Season 1, Isla is engaged to Lev. They are committed to each other, but their long engagement begins to show cracks. They care for each other, but once Isla becomes the Waves’ president, their relationship suffers. A fight with her brothers ruins their engagement party. Later, she misses Lev’s award ceremony because she is busy taking Travis to rehab.
Isla makes an effort with Lev, but she does not prioritize him. Lev notices this and decides to end their relationship. They spend a month apart before Isla tries to win him back. However, when she finds out he is moving to Minnesota, he hesitates to reconcile with her. By the end of the season, Isla is still struggling to let him go.
Meanwhile, Running Point builds a slow-burn romance between Isla and Jay. They have strong chemistry and a supportive friendship. Jay helps Isla face the challenges of her new job, and she stands by him during his struggles. When Jay gets in trouble for punching his ex-wife’s (Rebecca Rittenhouse) new boyfriend (Ryan Caltagirone) over a custody dispute, Isla is there for him.
In the Season 1 finale, after the game, Isla and Jay share a moment. Isla tells him she hates that Boston is taking him away. In response, Jay kisses her. The moment is unexpected, and they leave things on an awkward note. However, with Jay planning to move and Isla still unsure about her feelings for Lev, their relationship remains uncertain. Still, the show hints that they may get together in the future.
Cam’s Betrayal Sets Up a Rivalry for Season 2
Throughout the season, Cam is Isla’s biggest supporter. He chooses her as his replacement and defends her when Sandy and Ness try to take over her position. However, Isla struggles to find out who has been leaking information about the team. By the end of the season, the truth is revealed—Cam is the leak. His betrayal is not yet public, but he has been secretly hoping for Isla to fail all along.
Cam uses his wealth to leave rehab early. The next day, Isla returns to the office and finds him sitting at her desk with confidence. Just as Isla begins to recover from the team’s loss, Cam’s presence threatens everything she has built.
Cam’s return sets up an exciting storyline for Season 2. Now that Isla has grown into her role as the team’s leader, Cam steps in as a new obstacle in her way. His actions prove that he is not just a difficult older brother—he is now her rival.
What’s Next for ‘Running Point’?
Season 1 of Running Point ends with multiple open storylines. Isla must deal with Cam’s betrayal and fight to keep her position as team president. Jackie is finally part of the family, but his relationships with his siblings are still developing. The Waves will prepare for another season, hoping for a championship win.
Meanwhile, Isla’s love life remains complicated. She has not fully moved on from Lev, but her connection with Jay continues to grow. Jay’s plans to move to Boston put their relationship in question, but their kiss suggests that their story is far from over.
With family drama, sports rivalry, and romance all coming together, Running Point has set the stage for an exciting second season.
Also Read: Netflix’s Running Point Comedy Features Kate Hudson in Basketball Drama
