The <i><em>Every Year After</em></i> Finale Changes Everything for Percy and Sam

The first season of Prime Video’s Every Year After, based on the book Every Summer After by Carley Fortune, might only be eight episodes, but Percy (Sadie Soverall) and Sam (Matt Cornett)’s love story is nothing short of epic—and absolutely devastating. When viewers reach the season 1 finale, they’ll likely feel as if they, too, just experienced a heartbreak of life-changing proportions.

Ahead, let’s break down what happens in season 1, episode 8 of Every Year After, including whether Percy and Sam overcome their relationship issues, and where Charlie (Michael Bradway), Delilah (Abigail Cowen), Chantal (Aurora Perrineau), and Jordie (Joseph Chiu) end up.

After Sam discovers that Percy slept with his brother, Charlie, years earlier, plans for Sue Florek (Elisha Cuthbert)’s memorial are thrown into immediate disarray. Sam attempts to avoid his brother by sitting alone on a pontoon on the lake, but Charlie swims out to confront him—they have family flying into town! Sam declares he won’t be providing anyone with transport; a fight ensues, and Charlie ends up pushed into the water.

Back at the motel, Percy finds Delilah moping around with an armful of snacks. Although she’s meant to be setting up Sue’s memorial at The Tavern, Delilah chooses to avoid real life and lie in bed instead. Percy takes the moment to apologize to Delilah for ending their friendship a decade earlier. “We all make choices we regret,” she tells her. “I’m sorry I ghosted you all those years ago.”

Delilah says she always wondered why Percy simply disappeared from her life, but she understands now, following the revelation about Percy’s brief dalliance with Charlie. “You do know I wouldn’t have judged you,” Delilah explains.

Elaborating on her decision to leave, Percy shares, “I couldn’t see past my own shame and guilt. I didn’t think I deserved anything good.”

Sue and Percy cooking together at The Tavern in Every Year After.

With Delilah out of action, Percy announces she’s going to prepare The Tavern for Sue’s memorial but leave before Sam and Charlie can arrive. A pink tutu and tiara in a packing box trigger some important memories, and Percy recalls the advice Sam’s mom once bestowed upon her.

Following her final breakup from Sam years ago, Percy spent time alone with Sue, getting to know secrets about the Florek matriarch that even her children didn’t know. As for why Sue liked to wear a pink tutu and a princess tiara to cook, she revealed, “Sometimes being ridiculous changes everything. And this—this is the epitome of ridiculousness.”

Gifting the outfit to Percy, Sue tells her, “Wearing the tiara, you have to promise to only eat breakfast foods for dinner.” After revealing she’d eat breakfast foods for every single meal if she could, Sue shares a secret with Percy: She hates pierogi, despite being renowned for serving the Polish dumplings at The Tavern.

When Sam walks in on Percy preparing breakfast food while wearing the tiara and tutu combo, she’s forced to explain Sue’s pierogi secret. He tells Percy she doesn’t need to leave; she’s honoring his mom in exactly the way she would have wanted. Even though their romance is in tatters, they’re able to put any hurt aside to honor Charlie and Sam’s late mom.

In another flashback, Percy expresses admiration for Sue’s ability to be alone as an empty-nester, once her sons are away at college. Sue talks about how difficult life was in the wake of her husband’s death, and she offers Percy advice on how to survive her own grief. “Dig deep, and find your way back to the surface,” Sue says, while also advising her to dance like no one is watching.

There’s an impressive turnout for Sue’s memorial, and Percy decides to attend the service after all. At the podium, Sam breaks down while remembering the love between his parents. He can’t help but look over at Percy while saying that when you find “the love of your life,” it’s important to never let them go. Charlie pays tribute to his mom by recalling the heated arguments his parents had with each other, evidence of the intense passion between them.

Afterwards, everyone gathers at The Tavern. Sam and Charlie are able to have a civil conversation, though it’s clear that their relationship is far from fixed. Delilah comforts Charlie, telling him he’s not alone, while Jordie and Chantal dance together.

Sam sneaks out early, but Percy follows him outside. “I love you, Sam,” she tells him, tearing up. “And even though I did something unforgivable, I’ll never stop loving you.”

A flashback reveals that Sam and Percy saw each other one last time after their final breakup. Sam finds Percy reading at the lake during a break from school in the fall. He tells her he loves her, seemingly believing they can slip back into the romance they had before he unceremoniously dumped her via email. Of course, Sam has no idea Percy slept with his brother months earlier—an action she believes to be indefensible. Crying, she tells him goodbye, thinking it’s forever.

In the present day, Percy tells Sam, “We have quite a history of messy goodbyes, and I think we’re owed a proper one.” They have sex in his car, but afterwards he tells her, “I want so much to forgive you. But I don’t think I can do this.”

Delilah comforts Charlie in the Every Year After season 1 finale.

Percy leaves Barry’s Bay and heads back to Seattle, where she starts writing again, pouring everything into her stories. As the seasons change, Percy’s friendships with Delilah and Chantal only grow stronger. Elsewhere, the Florek brothers continue their respective lives and careers, still estranged from each other. When Percy’s short story is published, Sam reads it, smiling, suggesting he’s finally found peace with what happened between them. In response, he sends her the keys to The Tavern, which Sue left to Percy in her will.

With help from Delilah, who has a keen eye for design, Percy renovates The Tavern. As they prepare to reopen the venue, Percy muses on whether Sam might return to Barry’s Bay. After all, Jordie has spread the word about opening night, but Percy tells Delilah she has no expectation of ever seeing him again. Instead, she’s focused on writing her book and is fearful of her “looming deadline,” but “being back in Barry’s Bay makes it all less scary,” she says.

Despite their chemistry being undeniable, Chantal has been in denial about the connection she has with Jordie. When they arrive at The Tavern together, it becomes clear that their romance might be more serious than anyone realized, and even Chantal is forced to admit her feelings.

Charlie doesn’t return for The Tavern’s reopening. Instead, he’s working in the city, where he spots an unexpected photograph in his boss’s office. It’s a photo of him in a boat on the lake with Percy and Sam. Charlie is transfixed by the picture and the unbelievable coincidence of finding it in such an unexpected setting. (For those in the know, this is a clear reference to the events of Fortune’s Barry’s Bay sequel One Golden Summer—and a hint that Every Year After has plans to explore Charlie’s love story should Prime Video move forward with a second season.)

Meanwhile, Sam arrives at The Tavern and surprises Percy in the kitchen, where she’s washing dishes. “You came home,” she says, visibly shocked, and they share a moment looking at each other. Although nothing is confirmed, it’s obvious that the love between them is still very much alive.

Rather than end with Percy and Sam’s reunion, the scene cuts to a shot of Charlie, who starts clutching his left arm and chest, before falling to the floor and struggling to breathe. The episode ends with a lingering shot of the photo of the trio on the lake, while Charlie lies alone on the floor. A second season is yet to be announced, but Every Year After’s shocking finale is bound to leave fans with questions. And if showrunner Amy B. Harris’s recent comments are any indication, she and Fortune intend to answer them.