Come to South Beach!
Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss) has killed Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez). Now, the manhunt is on for the killer but Andrew’s past is explored. As Gianni’s sister Donatella (Penélope Cruz) tries to keep control of the company and Antonio D’Amico (Ricky Martin) remembers his lover, Andrew finds himself on the run and recalling his life and the events that led up to the murder.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story is the second season of the FX true-crime series following the critically acclaimed The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story. The series was met with critical acclaim and won Primetime Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (Darren Criss), Outstanding Limited Series, Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special (“The Man Who Would Be Vogue”), Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie or Special, Outstanding Contemporary Costumes, Outstanding Makeup for a Limited Series or Movie (Non-Prosthetic), and Outstanding Hairstyle for a Limited Series or Movie and nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Dramatic Special (“House by the Lake”), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie (Penélope Cruz), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (Ricky Martin), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie (Finn Wittrock), Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or Special, Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Limited Series or a Movie (“Alone”, “House by the Lake”, “Manhunt”), Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited Series or a Movie (“The Man Who Would be Vogue”).
So…want to be my sugar-daddy?
The People v. O.J. Simpson was a fun series to watch to see how the story was recreated for television. The Assassination of Gianni Versace was an interesting series to watch to learn what really happened. Unlike O.J., Versace’s story isn’t known by everyone and the reveal of Andrew Cunanan’s past makes for compelling and interesting television.
The story is a compelling thriller told in reverse. The show started out with Versace’s murder and worked its way backward in the story of Andrew Cunanan. It explores his past and relationships and his lies…but in the telling reveals that Cunanan’s lies aren’t completely black and white.
Nope…nothing weird about giving your kid the master bedroom
The only problem with the story is probably Versace himself. The balance between the telling of Cunanan’s story and Versace’s story is rather unbalanced. In this aspect, it glorifies the killer instead of his victims, and its attempts to explain how Cunanan became the pathological liar with a dangerous streak could be seen as succeeding to give Cunanan the importance, wealth, and fame he craved.
The cast is stellar. Darren Criss is completely creepy and unbalanced as Andrew Cunanan but manages through the telling to make him a rounded character instead of just a charicature of a psychopath. While a lot was made about Ricky Martin and Penélope Cruz ties to the story, they are rather sidelined by the story. All of Cunanan’s victims and “friends” are strong performances with Mike Farrell, Finn Wittrock, Cody Fern, and Michael Nouri taking center stage as those wooed by Cunanan’s lies. I also commend Judith Light as the wife of Cunanan’s closed victim Lee Miglin who is trying to cope with learning about her husband’s secret in a very public way.
Screwed up? You don’t say…
The story isn’t as flash as the previous season in that the makers aren’t necessarily trying to recreate the visuals etched into everyone’s minds. O.J. Simpson’s story was legendary, but Versace’s murder was memorable, but not a “where were you when Versace was murdered?” event. It had a bit more freedom with the players and look since it wasn’t a touchstone for popular culture like O.J. was.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace is a great season of a series that has a lot of room for exploration. While the first season took one of the most publicly explored national events, the second season took a different approach…which is what the series needed to show it had potential to explore more than just O.J. It succeeded, and I look forward to where future seasons explore.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story—Season 2 Complete Episode Guide:
“The Man Who Would Be Vogue”
2.1 The Man Who Would Be Vogue Airdate: 01/17/18
Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez) has been gunned down by Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss) in Miami Beach on July 15, 1997, and the meeting between Gianni and Andrew is recalled. With Cunanan on the run and an FBI manhunt, the media frenzy surrounding Gianni Versace’s death begins. Antonio D’Amico (Ricky Martin) deals with the death of Versace and finds himself facing off with Versace’s sister Donatella Versace (Penélope Cruz).
“Manhunter”
2.2 Manhunter Airdate: 01/24/18
Gianni deals with his diagnosis of HIV. Andrew Cunanan comes to Miami and seeks out Versace. The FBI comes to Miami in search of Cunanan, but Detective Lori Wieder (Dascha Polanco) finds that the FBI doesn’t seem interested in finding the right path. Ronnie (Max Greenfield) meets Cunanan and uses him to find the ties to Versace and the gay community. Antonio finds his feelings toward Gianni changing as he wants to become more monogamous…making it harder for Andrew to target him.
“A Random Killing”
2.3 A Random Killing Airdate: 01/31/18
Make-up queen Marilyn Miglin (Judith Light) discovers her husband Lee Miglin (Mike Farrell) murdered in their home. Lee Miglin’s secret life is exposed with the murder, but Marilyn’s decision to keep it hidden could create problems for police. A secret means of tracking Andrew is uncovered by the police forcing Andrew to take drastic actions.
“House by the Lake”
2.4 House by the Lake Airdate: 02/07/18
Andrew kicks off his killing spree with the murder of Jeff Trail (Finn Wittrock) for dating his friend David Madson (Cody Fern) at the time. With David as his hostage, Andrew heads on the road to “reconnect” with David. With police believing that Andrew is the victim and that David is the murderer, a search is on for David…but David finds himself a prisoner of Andrew who he realizes is a madman.
“Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”
2.5 Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Airdate: 02/14/18
Gianni debates taking his sexuality public to the objections of his sister. David recalls Andrew reinserting himself in the life of David and Jeff. As Andrew tries to “marry” David, David decides to give Andrew a chance which could be a fatal flaw when Andrew finds out his relationship with Jeff. Jeff recalls his first encounter with Andrew and how Andrew saved him when he was in the Navy.
“Descent”
2.6 Descent Airdate: 02/28/18
Andrew recalls his birthday with Norman Blachford (Michael Nouri), and his attempts to impress David with the help of Jeff and his friend Elizabeth Cote (Annaleigh Ashford). With his relationship with Norman on the rocks, Andrew learns Jeff is leaving and could threaten his chances with David. As he tries to impress David, Andrew gets move involved with drugs…and is forced to return home to his mother Mary Ann (Joanna Adler).
“Ascent”
2.7 Ascent Airdate: 03/07/18
Andrew struggles at his low paying jobs and dreams of getting away from his home. When Andrew learns he can be an escort, his luck changes when he meets Norman and his friend Lincoln Aston (Todd Waring). Gianni and Donatella butt heads over what a woman wants in a dress. A chance encounter in a bar has Andrew meeting David. Gianni suffers a setback which forces Donatella to take control of the company.
“Creator/Destroyer”
2.8 Creator/Destroyer Airdate: 03/14/18
Gianni recalls his childhood and his interest in fashion developing. Andrew’s childhood is remembered as his father Modesto (Jon Jon Briones) pushed him to be more and more successful. With a prestigious education lined up and putting his life above his brother and sister, Modesto’s life began to collapse.
“Alone”
2.9 Alone Airdate: 03/21/18
Andrew Cunanan has been identified as Gianni Versace’s murderer and is on the run. D’Amico learns his future is in question after a talk with Donatella. The police are closing in on Andrew Cunanan, and the end is near!
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