Pistol (TV Mini Series) Track 2: Rotten (2022) User Reviews

"Come see us play, we're awful!"

[bosporan · 8/10 · 31 May 2022]

Steve despairs following his failure as a singer so Malcolm reinvents him as England's greatest guitarist. This leaves a vacancy, enter John Lydon! Rotten only sings out of tune and is branded an untutored genius.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster's rendition of Malcolm McLaren both as an affable visionary and a Machiavellian genius works well. He smashes the Pistols together and deliberately foments dissent and rage to create a unique energy.

Lots of pop culture references, including a wink at Abbey Road.

'Pistol' Was Rotten - Until Now

[squaremilenews · 8/10 · 11 June 2022]

The second episode is aptly titled as once Johnny arrives 'Pistol' finally has an added edge and humour, lacking in the cliche-ridden disappointing Steve Jones-dominated debut.

Not an easy character to play, is John Lydon, without falling into the cartoon-character trap and we all remember what a mess was made of him in the 'Sid & Nancy' film.

His presence inevitably joins scene-stealers Jordan and McLaren as the most riveting characters in the show as our interest in Steve Jones is stretched as thin as PVC.

I was even encouraging the police who were giving him a well-deserved shoeing to give it some welly, so tiresome was he becoming.

If you gave up after the first episode, then give 'Pistol' a chance and watch 'Rotten' give the series and England the kick up the arse she needs.