‘Boots’ Ending Explained: Does Cameron Become a Marine? Where Does Sullivan Go? Who Makes Honorman?

Netflix‘s new show Boots is inspired by the real-life story of Greg Cope White, a gay man who joined the United States Marine Corps in the ’90s, back when it was still illegal to be gay in the military. Over the course of eight episodes, we watch as Cameron Cope (Miles Heizer) is beaten physically and mentally down by the USMC’s brutal training regime. Many times he questions whether or not he wants to stick it out and become a Marine. More importantly, Cameron has to live in the constant fear that his secret will be found out and he’ll be expelled or worse.

Of course, Cameron isn’t the only character in Boots facing their own internal battles…

**Spoilers for Boots, now streaming on Netflix**

Cameron’s best friend Ray McAffey (Liam Oh) has to not only deal with rampant racism within the service, but an acute anxiety disorder that stems from his own Marine father’s strict standards. Ray doesn’t just want to be a Marine; he wants to graduate as the Honorman, the training platoon’s MVP who earns the honor of bearing the unit’s gaidon.

Elsewhere, Deputy Drill Instructor Liam Sullivan (Max Parker) is trying to maintain the image of the perfect Marine all while hiding the fact that he, too, is gay. In fact, he is the subject of a NCIS investigation thanks to the fact that he fell in love with another queer officer while serving in Guam. It’s not just the fact that his lover, Major Wilkinson (Sachin Bhatt) has been caught that haunts Sullivan, but the realization late in the series that by trying to maintain the illusion of being straight, he inadvertently set up Wilkinson’s fall. In a rage, he gets drunk and initiates a bar fight that leaves the other man unconscious and him on the precipice of being dishonorably discharged.

So what happens to Cameron, Ray, and Sullivan at the end of Boots? Will there be a Boots Season 2? Here’s what you need to know about how Netflix’s Boots ends…

Photo: Netflix

Boots Ending Explained: What Happens to Sullivan? Does Cameron Become a Marine? Is Ray Honor Man?

The final episode of Boots deals with the Crucible, the final, grueling challenge given to recruits in boot camp. When Cameron’s love interest/rival/partner Jones (Jack Kay) disappears into a marsh, sleepwalking, he and Ray risk their futures by going after him. The friends overhear a conversation where they learn that Sullivan is facing dire consequences for his actions, which makes Cameron realize that his idol, Sullivan, may not actually be living the life he wants for himself.

While Ray goes back to camp for help, Cameron refuses to leave Sullivan in searching for Jones. They eventually find and rescue him. However, Sullivan gives Cameron his radio and peaces out. He escapes into the wilds and it’s unclear where he’s going now that his life has crumbled to dust.

Photo: New York Post/ Brian Zak

“That symbolic moment where he passes the radio to Cameron, it’s I think the first time you see Sullivan give in to what’s about to happen,” Max Parker told DECIDER. “He’s put someone in a coma, he’s literally struggling with alcoholism, and he’s being chased down by the law for other things and for being gay.”

So where does Parker think Sullivan might be sprinting off to? “I don’t know where it’s going to go, but I mean, there’s so many places,” he said. “I know as much as you.”

“I think he went to West Hollywood,” Miles Heizer quipped.

“He’s at the Pink Pony Club?” Liam Oh suggests.

“But that’s just me,” Heizer said. “I don’t know.”

Cameron eventually does finish crucible, albeit last. Nevertheless he gets a hero’s welcome from his platoon.

Ray does not make Honorman. Instead, that honor goes to Nash (Dominic Goodman), who joined up in secret to boost his future political chances. Nevertheless, he ends the season bonding with his dad.

There are two last twists in the season. One is the reveal that Cameron has been 17 years old this whole time. His mother (Vera Farmiga) forged his birth certificate when he was young to get him into a program and never remembered to correct the date. Still, Cameron convinces his mother to let him stay on.

However, in the last moments of Boots Season 1, the reality hits Cameron that he might be going to war…

Will There Be a Boots Season 2? Will the Boys Go to Iraq?

Boots ends with President George H.W. Bush announcing that the U.S. is going to war with Iraq. As of right now, there are no plans for Boots Season 2, but the stars are eager to keep going with the story.

“I would do literally anything for Season 2,” Miles Heizer said. “So, yeah, I’m hoping. I’m glad it ends on a little bit of a cliffhanger.”

“Simultaneously, it’s a very powerful ending to see this beautiful camaraderie and then this harsh reality of what they actually signed up for hits them,” Heizer said. “I think that would be very interesting to explore in Season 2, especially for Cameron, who really was just running away from his family and wanted to be with his best friend. Suddenly realizing this is a very serious decision.”

Max Parker said, “There’s so many great characters in the show that it really is an ensemble show and you don’t necessarily get to see all of the characters [in Season 1]. I think we’ve just scratched the surface of so many of them. So I think it it needs a Season 2.”