FX's 'Pistol' Ending Explained: Did Steve betray John? SHOCKING event that doomed Sex Pistols
Contains spoilers for FX's 'Pistol'
Danny Boyle’s latest project ‘Pistol’ sees him going back to his roots as it gives us an explosive look at one of the most influential bands in history. The series revolves around the life and legacy of British punk rock band ‘Sex Pistols’ and how they became a force to be reckoned with.
Based on the 2017 memoir written by Steve Jones, the FX series talks about how the group started the punk rock movement in the UK and how they started to shake the establishment to the core through its music. In 1977, their one and only studio album reached the numero uno position on music charts and they were called the pioneers of punk rock music.
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Three years after the band’s formation, things began to deteriorate and the band was losing everything because of several reasons, including heroin addiction. So, how did the band break up? Who was responsible for it? Let’s take a look at how ‘Pistol’ ended.
‘Pistol’ Ending Explained: Why did the band’s US tour turn out to be disastrous?
Before traveling to the US, the band was pumped up to give America a taste of real punk rock music. However, the band’s manager Malcolm had some other plans. He wanted to bring the band back to the ground. According to him, this is where they belonged and should have stayed there. As a result, in the US, he only booked venues that were small and got the band to perform at places where “punk rock” music was not known to many.
They didn’t have permission to perform, but when they did, it turned out to be a disaster. They were not at their usual best. Sid needed heroin at all times and when he was refused, he went on a rampage.
Malcolm began causing a rift between the members of the band and started taking advantage of that. He wanted the band to go to Rio to record a song with the “The Grain Train Robber” Ronnie Briggs and also produce a movie titled ‘The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle’.
John never wanted to do this and walked away from the group.
‘Pistol’ Ending Explained: Did Steve betray John and went with Malcolm?
After the aforementioned conversation, John and Steve discussed what was best for the group. Steve said that this band is exceptional and they have the number one album in the UK, so it would be nice to have some fun in Rio. Steve said that Malcolm wants to record a song with someone who killed one guy and that’s not what Sex Pistols is all about.
John told Steve that the band is special and Malcolm is making it mediocre. So, if they need to become legends, they need to leave Malcolm. He also gave him an ultimatum that he has 24 hours to choose between Malcolm and him (John).
In 24 hours, Steve made the decision of staying with Malcolm, and this time, even Sid supported Malcolm because he had promised that Sid will be the new lead singer of the group. John was pretty angry with everything that happened and left.
‘Pistol’ Ending Explained: Did Steve, Side, and Paul make new music?
The group met with the producers of the movie and tried making new songs. Sid had to sing a song and wanted some inspiration. So, he took Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’ and Steve told him to sing in his unique style. Also, he wanted Sid to change the lyrics as John used to it. He wanted to sound unique. So, Steve gave him an idea to change the lyrics and Sid took Nancy’s help in doing so.
‘Pistol’ Ending Explained: Who was responsible for Nancy and Sid’s death?
After completing the song with Nancy, they both got to their room and started doing drugs. Sid was so high that he slept and when he got up, he discovered Nancy’s body in the washroom. She was covered in blood and was stabbed in the abdomen.
Soon, it was discovered that Sid died too because of the heroin overdose. After Sid’s death, John and Steve met each other and discussed how they used to be a family. John said that Sid was not ready to be a part of the Sex Pistols, but he wanted his friend to be there. However, he believed that Sid died because he became a part of the group and started blaming himself for his death.
Steve assures him that it was not his fault. The ending moments of the show see them talking about how people are going to remember them even if their US tour was disastrous. They were and will be regarded as one of the greatest bands.