In season 1 of American Crime Story, the trial of OJ Simpson was the star. The heart of season 2 isn’t Versace, but his murderer and how he became one. Andrew’s other victims come to life as living, breathing people — something that is quite commendable.
This complements something that the final episode of season 1 explicitly states. The circumstances surrounding the OJ trial aren’t ancient history. It is as much if not more a part of our culture than ever before.
Both seasons of American Crime Story are well done and executed well, but they are radically different in terms of style.
The biggest difference is American Crime Story season 1 was almost exclusively a legal thriller. The subject was the “trial of the century.” The entire show focuses on the events taking place after the crime has occurred. Season 2 is the exact opposite, focusing on what occurred before or during the crime that begins the story.
The People vs. OJ Simpson also focuses on a larger scale about how the trial affected individuals, both relevant to the case and not. The Assassination of Gianni Versace is a deep character study of Andrew Cunanan, his life, and how it resulted in the crime.
Unlike American Crime Story season 1, there is no large cast of famous characters whose motivations, actions, and choices all paved the way for the end result. There is not even the possibility of seeing Andrew inside a courtroom because Cunanan took his own life instead of being taken into custody. In this way, both seasons of ACS are bookends to each other.
One thing both shows have in common is the viewer probably knows what the ending will be. Virtually anyone knows that OJ Simpson was acquitted in the 1994 trial. While less may know that Versace was shot by Andrew Cunanan, who killed himself, it is still open knowledge in public awareness. The whole point of the show is not to focus on what happened, but the how, and most importantly WHY?
Season 2 specifically opens with the murder, and virtually every episode works backward, revealing another layer of what lead to that day in Miami. This is the biggest technical difference between the seasons, as season 1 unfolds in a strictly chronological way — which was how both events unfolded in real-time.
OJ’s trial was covered step by step as it happened. The country first learned of who Andrew was when he killed Versace. As a result, people had to work backward to uncover facts about his life.
A final point is that despite only occurring approximately three years apart, each season seems to inhabit its own universe. The People vs. OJ Simpson has the tone of a sharp courtroom drama. The Assassination of Gianni Versace mimics the atmosphere of a vintage, decadent, passionate thriller.
In several moments, Cunanan has the lifestyle and habits of a smooth talking, high-end escort. Think Richard Gere in American Gigolo. Not only is Cunanan a would-be hustler, but Andrew seems to prostitute his personality as well as his body. He tailors his interests, background, and personality to whomever he is trying to get something from.
Regardless of whether it is parents, friends, employers, whatever; Andrew seems to always be playing a character. The people of the OJ case became instant celebrities. While most of them took this with a grain of salt, Andrew would have dreamed about such notoriety.
But both American Crime Story series takes the viewer on a fascinating journey to uncover what made these crimes not just infamous, but uniquely American crimes.
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The Assassination of Gianni Versace finale recap: Alone
This season of American Crime Story was a drastic difference than the season preceding it. While many were not as informed about the assassination of Gianni Versace, the show did a phenomenal job of explaining the man behind the murder — and what made him who he was.
On Wednesday, the story came to close, taking us back to 1997 when Cunanan shot Versace in Miami. That haunting moment is instantly brought back as Cunanan approaches Versace on his doorsteps and shoots him point-blank execution style.
The finale focuses on how Cunanan evades the police and finds refuge in a houseboat on Collins Avenue that he breaks into. It is here where he spends his last days hiding out, watching the news talk about the manhunt focused on him. He spends his day listening to the radio and watching his family members and friends go on national television to share their thoughts about him and if they saw this coming.
This level of “celebrity” makes Cunanan happy and he celebrates by wrapping a scarf around his neck and flaunting around in excitement — he thinks he’s finally made it.
These moments are short-lived as the police inch closer and closer to discovering his whereabouts. The first place they go? His mother’s home, where she is pulled out of her apartment to be brought in for questioning as all of Miami is on the lookout for her son.
The authorities inform Marilyn Miglin (remember Lee?) that the man that shot Versace is the same man that murdered her husband. In their questioning, they also go to Ronnie who insults the police for not finding Cunanan earlier and stating that he was out in the open and wanted to be seen — they just didn’t look his way.
Much to Cunanan’s displeasure, he is unable to find a way out of Miami which inevitably leads him to the houseboat he takes over. He almost gets caught when he sneaks onto a boat and the owner comes in but manages to run away and watches the cops from the houseboat as they look around for an intruder. When push comes to shove Cunanan resorts to eating dog food and decides to call his father in the Philippines to get his help.
His dad tells him not to worry and that he will soon be on his way (despite the warrants out for his arrest). However, Andrew soon learns his father plans to bank on his newfound fame and sees him on the news talking about Andrew and how he plans to make a movie about Andrew’s life. At this point, Andrew truly feels alone and isolated in the world, trapped in the houseboat all alone.
The finale also closed the chapter on Versace’s life by showing Donatella and Antonio preparing for his funeral. Antonio learns that all of Versace’s properties are under the control of the board and he will soon be homeless — without Versace, the love of his life. Cunanan decides to tune in to watch Versace’s funeral which is taking place in Milan with guests like Princess Diana and Elton John in attendance.
At some point, a man enters the houseboat to check in on it only to realize someone is already inside. Cunanan hears him coming and shoots off his gun to scare the man away. Unfortunately, these are the last few moments of his life as the police begin to surround the home, demanding he come out.
Andrew walks into his room, gun in tow, and has a few moments of contemplation and even sees visions of his younger self, sitting next to him. The entire season comes down to this very moment, the man we have gotten to know, for all the good, the bad, and the unfortunate, is realizing where his actions have brought him.
When Cunanan refuses to surrender, the cops cut off the power and throw in smoke bombs to smoke him out. Unbeknownst to them, Cunanan decides to take matters into his own hands and shoots himself in the head. The somber moment switches to the conversation between Cunanan and Versace where Versace politely declines Andrew’s offer to spend more time together.
While Versace’s remains are placed in an altar in Lake Cuomo, Cunanan’s remains are placed in a mausoleum amongst many others. For a man that fought tooth and nail to gain attention, he finds his resting place lost amongst the crowd. What an ironic twist in his life, right?
This season was so extremely addicting to watch, and every moment was so pivotal to the character development of Andrew Cunanan. It was an intricately woven storyline that illustrated the life of a man who no one truly ever knew. The nod to the 90’s and homosexuality was a big theme in the season and highlighted the discrimination of the time. Darren Criss was hands down the standout performer of the season and his portrayal of Cunanan will be one for the books–hopefully Emmy books, right?
For many episodes of the season, he single-handedly took on most of the work and carried the show on his back. And while the season had its share of ups and downs, we will surely miss seeing Criss’ angsty manipulative portrayal of Cunanan.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace Recap: ‘Ascent’
The Assassination of Gianni Versace continues to tell its story in a backward fashion, taking us further back in time to tell Andrew Cunanan’s story. As the audience is now aware, the series is meant to focus on Cunanan’s journey to killing Versace–rather than Versace himself. While the title may be misleading, it is genius. The assassination of Gianni Versace didn’t just happen, a series of events, moments, and breakdowns led to that very tragic moment on Versace’s doorsteps. That is the purpose of the season and while admittedly slow at times, the series is intriguing and alluring based on this fact alone.
This week’s episode takes us back just a tad bit further to the moments where Andrew meets Norman and David. But before that, we see Andrew working at a local pharmacy flipping through the pages of a Vogue magazine. This is our first look at the ease with which Andrew lies to a customer about going to college and completing his P.h.D. Meanwhile, we finally see some more of Versace this episode circa 1992 as he grooms Donatella to be a big part of his business. He pushes her to embrace her talent because she is his legacy.
While at a gay bar, Andrew realizes that his talent for attracting older, gay men is far more superior than his ability to connect with men his own age. And that is the demographic he must target if he is to live the life he has always dreamed of. However, he still lives with his lonely mother, who clings onto Andrew every time he is home. We begin to understand more of Cunanan’s mindset because of how he treats his mother–with very little respect. She is his number one fan and builds him up even though he has achieved very little.
Andrew decides his way in with the elderly crowd is to become an escort. However, the lady at the agency doesn’t approve of his background and tells him that it won’t please the crowd of men they service. Now it is up to Cunanan to make it happen. Cue, Norman. Andrew goes to a French play after specifically researching who would be in attendance. His target? Norman.
After a night out with Norman and his friends, he finds his way into Norman’s life, but not before spending a night with one of Norman’s friends first, through whom he gets an allowance and expense account. Andrew uses this money to take out his friends and live a lavish life that he claims is a result of his own hard work. On a night out with friends, Andrew sees David at the bar for the first time and falls head over heels for him instantly. They share an intimate night together–but we all know where that leads.
Versace continues to persuade Donatella to step into the spotlight and own it. During the 1996 Met Gala, Donatella decides to wear the dress her and Versace designed together, with the world’s eyes on her. While the dress is an overnight hit, it is deemed too risque for the general population to wear. Versace is angered by the resistance the dress has met and begins to break down, but a moment of anger transforms into a moment of panic as Gianni claims he can’t hear anything. This leads us to the moment we learn he has ear cancer. Due to this, Donatella takes over the Italian operations and Gianni heads to Miami to recuperate.
There is a very sad moment in this episode between Cunanan and his mother. He tells her he is off to travel to the world’s operas alongside Gianni Versace. Overjoyed by her son’s “success”, she assumes she will join him on the adventure. When Andrew tells her no, she has an intense emotional reaction which is cut short by Andrew shoving her back and fracturing her shoulder blade.
Remember Andrew’s elderly sugar daddy, Lincoln? Well, while Andrew is off splurging his money, he is beginning to take notice–and he is not happy. Lincoln tells him their relationship is over, meaning the money is no longer his to use. When Andrew goes to Lincoln’s home, he realizes he is there with another man. However, this man does not seem ready to embrace his homosexuality and reacts violently when Lincoln tries to be intimate with him.
He kills Lincoln by bashing his head in with a statue, to which Andrew becomes a witness to. There is a hidden societal lesson embedded in this moment. In the 90’s homosexuality was so taboo that any crime against a gay individual would not be given much attention because it was “their fault”. This is something Andrew picks up on very quickly and clings onto (as we are all very aware of).
These series of events brings Andrew closer to Norman, who he convinces to move to San Diego from Phoenix, promising to help him build a home beyond his wildest dreams. In the last moments of the episode, Cunanan and Norman head out to the balcony of Norman’s new home. Cunanan takes in the moment and states, “If they could see me now.” When Norman asks who, Andrew responds by saying, “Everyone.”
The Assassination of Gianni Versace Recap: ‘Descent’
The most recent episode of The Assassination of Gianni Versace begins to reveal bits and pieces of Andrew Cunanan’s twisted and broken state of mind as he starts to break down. The episode opens to Cunanan in a luxurious waterside mansion in sunny San Diego swimming naked in the pool. The timeline for this falls a year before he commits his first murder.
It is shocking to understand just how much Cunanan was able to accomplish in a short amount of time. In this flashback, he is pretending to be an art curator who lives with his wealthy, old client (sound familiar?).
The client/fling, Norman, is throwing Andrew a birthday party with all of his closest friends, including Lizzie, Jeffrey Trail, and the love of his love, David Madson. So for someone who seemed to have it all, what exactly pushed him to go on a murder spree? This is what this episode helps us understand.
Cunanan’s goal in life has always been to be something he’s not, and in a similar fashion, he attempts to craft Jeffrey in a more “presentable manner” for the party. He goes as far as personally wrapping a present and asking Jeff to regift to him at the party. This is the moment where his subtle urges to manipulate start to shine through–and perhaps the beginning of one insane journey.
Cunanan’s love interest, David Madson, flies in from Minneapolis to attend the party but appears to form a connection with Jeffrey. This puts Cunanan in a state of panic as he heads to the bathroom to snort a line of coke. This is strike one on the path to Cunanan losing it.
And if that isn’t enough to send Cunanan off the rails, one of Norman’s friends approaches him to exchange a few harsh words. He tells Andrew that he is protecting Norman and knows exactly what he is up to which sets something off inside of Cunanan. And while the party already had two of Andrew’s victims in attendance, the entrance of Lee Miglin added a third. Talk about awkward, right?
This illustrates yet another connection Cunanan had to one of his victims and helps the audience begin to piece together the road that led him down a murder spree.
Following the aftermath of his birthday party, Andrew sits down with Norman to go over a list of demands he has if they are to stay together as a couple. This moment seems quite odd seeing as how Cunanan needs Norman more than the other way around. Nonetheless, he begins to list off the need for a higher allowance, Norman’s entire inheritance, and a car.
Unfortunately for Andrew, Norman begins to attack him by revealing he knows exactly who Cunanan is. The truth hits Andrew like venom, as he begins to lash out. Despite Andrew being a basket case, Norman attempts to offer to help out in other ways but Andrew just won’t have it. He storms off after Norman refuses to follow the demands on his list.
Following his fight with Norman, Cunanan heads to the only place he can think of–his real home which is a small tiny apartment inclusive of one mattress and his dear mother. It is here where he begins to take revenge on Jeffrey, who he feels is trying to David away from him. Some episodes ago, we learned Andrew sent a postcard to Jeff’s house outing him as a gay man. In this episode, we see him committing the act of writing it.
Upon finding out, Jeffrey confronts Andrew and tells him he is moving to Minneapolis. The same place David Madson currently lives. Andrew perceives this as a threat and begins to court David into an all-expenses-paid trip to L.A. Even though David shows up for the trip, he ultimately ends up rejecting Andrew and his advances. He tells him he is not the one for Andrew and while Andrew requests he simply gets to know him. When Andrew begins to spin a web of intricate lies, David walks away once and for all.
It has been quite some time since we’ve seen Versace in an episode, but lo and behold he made an appearance in this one. However, it was in one of Andrew’s dreams where Versace is his tailor and tells him they are not the same because he is loved, unlike Andrew. And this is where things get crazy. In a meth-induced state, Andrew goes back to Norman’s house violently shouting to be let into the house as Norman calls the police. Andrew goes back, broken and defeated, to his mother’s house where he tells her his next destination is…Minneapolis.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace Recap: ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
The most recent episode of The Assassination of Gianni Versace takes us deeper into the mind of Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss) through an interesting turn of events. As you may recall, we last left Andrew at the lake house where he took David Madson’s (Cody Fern) life. A flashback takes us to April 1997 where we see Cunanan trying to convince American Express to give him a credit line increase so he can buy a one-way ticket to Minneapolis. What’s there you ask? According to him two of his “best friends”, David and Jeff (Finn Wittrock).
This episode is interesting because it focuses on homosexuality from a personal and political standpoint. At the time, Clinton passed a “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy concerning gay individuals in the military. This policy comes to light when the story dives deeper into understanding Cunanan’s first victim, Jeff Trail. Being a homosexual in the military, Trail faces the harsh reality of the resistance against it. The episode unravels his journey of discovering and facing his sexuality which ultimately leads him to discuss it in the darkened shadows of an interview.
Simultaneously, we see Versace (Edgar Ramirez) decide to be open about his sexuality to the world through an interview. It was interesting to see the different perspectives of two individuals coming out of the closet, one behind the curtain and one out in the open. This aspect of the plot spoke volumes about the political and societal culture of the 90s.
After being cured of his “sickness,” he is ready to take on the world which leads to his decision of revealing that he is gay. He shares this with Donatella (Penelope Cruz), who does not share the same sentiments as her brother. She believes it will ruin the company name and prevent other companies and countries from doing business with them. Donatella blames Antonio for Versace’s sudden desire to tell the world he is gay.
While Versace grapples with his decision, the rest of the episode reveals the events that lead to Cunanan murdering Trail. We learn that Cunanan met Trail two years prior in a gay club when Trail was trying to embrace his homosexuality. However, over the course of the time he comes to know Cunanan, Trail realizes Andrew isn’t who he claims to be. Darren Criss’ portrayal of Cunanan shines so brightly once again as we see him face rejection and isolation from two guys he believes to be his best friends.
Ultimately, we know where this story ends and that Trail’s brutal demise is inevitable. Wittrock’s version of Trail was extremely phenomenal to follow during this episode. He not only represents an important societal issue of the time but embodies everything that makes Cunanan snap.
This episode of The Assassination of Gianni Versace stands strong over the ones that precede it for multiple reasons. While the episode itself played out relatively slow and uneventful, it was the underlying issues that made it stand out. Tackling the topic of homosexuality in the 90s from different perspectives was a feat they beautifully achieved during the episode. Temporarily we are taken away from Versace’s story to understand a deeper issue that existed at the time. However, incorporating Versace’s reveal adds to the story and brought it full circle.
As we reach the midpoint of the season, it will be interesting to see how the story develops from here and how it will all come together. We have spent a lot of time in the past but will we see the events that unfold following Versace’s murder? We sure hope so because that is where things are going to get interesting.
The Assassination of Gianni Versace Recap: ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’
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