We’ve reached the end, friends. American Crime Story: Versace has finished its run. And what an episode to go out on.

We all knew how this was going to end from the very beginning. The opening scene in the first episode of Versace showed us how Andrew Cunanan killed Gianni Versace. Here, in the final episode, we’re shown the whole event again — this time at a quicker pace, all cut with some catchy music.

This time we actually get to see what happens next: the houseboat, the police stand-off and the unfortunate end that we know can’t be avoided.

After murdering Versace, Cunanan breaks into a Miami houseboat in which he plans to hide out in for the foreseeable future. It doesn’t look like he has an exact plan per-say, but he instead decides just to celebrate by popping some champagne and turning on the local news. He’s a celebrity now, after all, which is just what he’s always wanted. Everyone finally knows his name.

Then, in the smartest move Ryan Murphy could have possibly pulled off, we finally return to Marilyn — Lee Miglan’s wife, portrayed by the Emmy deserving Judith Light (I will never stop raving about how good she is in this show). The FBI show up at her door, telling her that her husband’s murderer has killed again. “When will this end?” she says. “How many more are going to die?”

It’s not the last time Marilyn comes back, thank God, but next, we return to Andrew’s former housemate Ronnie. Suddenly, in this final episode, it makes sense why every episode was so segmented — all the characters that we met are coming back in some way for this finale and the way Versace pulls that off is really kind of brilliant. It just makes us miss Jeff and David.

The FBI question Ronnie about Andrew’s whereabouts, and he gives retorts with an inspired speech about how the police didn’t care about a bunch of murdered gay people until one of them was a celebrity and they were forced to get involved. So good Max Greenfield, so good.

Andrew’s excitement, though, is quickly coming to an end. He realizes that there’s no way he can escape Miami, as there are now police barricades everywhere and he’s made it on to the FBI’s top ten most wanted list. All he can do is sit on this houseboat, eventually having to resort to eating canned dog food, watching all his friends and family appear on television to be questioned.

It’s when his mother is questioned that Andrew hits a breaking point. Scared and confused, he decides to call his father — who’s still hiding out in the Philippines, as we learned in the previous episode — to come bail him out. His dad promises he’ll be there in the next 24 hours, and that he’ll take him away from there.

My favorite moment of the episode comes shortly after this. We cut back to Marilyn, who refused to follow the FBI’s request to come into hiding, as Andrew could come for her next for all they know. Marilyn has never missed a broadcast, and she’s not going to start now.

So, with Andrew watching from home, Marilyn Miglin tells the world about a new perfume she’s designed — one in memory of her deceased mother. “Here is something I made for you,” she says. “The kind of perfume my father would give you for your birthday as a way of saying how special you are.” Andrew watches the whole thing, in awe. Marilyn, who’s just as capable of creating her own reality as Andrew is, has the fortune and fame that he’s always desired. What could have been if only he tried to create instead of destroy.

24 hours later and Modesto isn’t on the houseboat. Instead, he’s on television, making his own name for himself off of Andrew’s fame. Modesto talks about how someday Andrew’s life will be turned into a movie (meaning everything has come full circle now, as American Crime Story has finally capitalized on that), right before Andrew takes out his gun and shoots the screen. Andrew has no one left.

So, he does the only thing left to do — takes a projector into the living room and throws a screening party for one of Versace’s funeral.

This was the moment that got me. Leading up to this, we saw Antonio and Donatella argue about what comes next for the two of them, Donatella telling her brother’s lover that he can’t stay in the house because it’s now owned by the company. But it’s the funeral itself — the difference in the way the two were treated by the priest — that really hit me with those emotions I’ve been waiting for all season.

To make it even better, there’s some real footage of Versace’s funeral thrown into the mix at this point, as we see the real Princess Diana and Elton John in attendance. Andrew watches the whole thing in amazement, then decides it’s about time to shave his head. He knows his days are numbered at this point.

The police learn where he’s staying shortly after the funeral, and the rest is pretty much history. They surround the houseboat, telling Andrew to come out at once, with no luck. They enter, only to find Andrew, lying in the bedroom, gun in his mouth. He’s killed himself.

Right before this, we see one final flashback to him and Versace. They’re on a stage, with Versace politely rejecting Andrew’s request — first for a job as a fashion designer, then as a lover. “It’s not about persuading people you’re going to do something great. It’s about doing it,” Versace tells him.

Andrew, who faced nothing but rejection and heart-ache all his life, now believes he’s done something great. Of course, the things Andrew did were terrible, but the point that American Crime Story: Versace has tried to make this entire season is that everything leading up to the murders was just as terrible. The way homosexuals get treated is terrible. The world, in general, is just a terrible place.

After showing Antonio also deciding to commit suicide, we end by contrasting the difference in cemeteries between Versace and Andrew. Versace has a lavish gravestone, surrounded by candles and decorations, while Andrew is just one of many inside a never-ending mausoleum. The fame he thought he achieved never really did live up to the fame he sought after in the end.

And that’s a wrap for this season of American Crime Story. While it didn’t dig quite as deep into the life of Versace as I may have liked — which I’m assuming is because Versace’s family is still alive and didn’t want Gianni’s life to be portrayed in a show like this — I found myself loving each and every episode. Yes, the whole narrative was a bit confusing, but when looking at the whole thing in retrospect it’s genius what they decided to do here.

‘American Crime Story: Versace’ finale recap: ‘Alone’ – TheCelebrityCafe.com

Modesto sucks.

Growing up is never easy — especially when you have a father like Modesto Cunanan (Jon Jon Briones). That’s what we learned the in the eight and penultimate episode of American Crime Story: Versace, entitled “Creator/Destroyer,” as we journey back into Andrew and Gianni’s childhood.

Gianni’s is, not surprisingly, finished before the opening credits even role, as we’ve learned by now that the focus of this season is on Andrew. His backstory is mostly meant to contrast Andrew’s — Gianni always wanted to be a dress-designer and, despite his teacher calling him a ‘pansy’ in front of the whole school, he was supported by his mother, Franca (Francesca Fanti).

To be fair, Andrew’s father Modesto truly wanted the best for Andrew, at one point in time. Modesto also only wanted the very best, both for himself and his family. He moved his family into an incredibly expensive home (probably not the best move), banking on the fact that he was going to be hired as a stock broker by Merrill Lynch and that Andrew would get accepted into an exclusive private school.

And, once again to be fair, both of those things end up happening. While Andrew’s siblings are left on the sideline (Andrew is clearly the favorite and Modesto doesn’t bother giving any of them the time of day), Andrew makes it in and Modesto gets hired. Andrew is even gifted the master bedroom and then given a car, well before he can drive. Things, for the time being, are looking up.

Until they aren’t, of course, as Modesto’s true nature begins to reveal himself. He accuses his wife of not having enough faith in him, portraying an abusive relationship between the two of them. There’s also a slight hint that Modesto may have also been sexually abusive to Andrew, although we’re left to ponder just how far exactly this goes.

Fast forward to Andrew’s high-school years and things have gotten worse. Modesto no longer holds his job at Merrill Lynch, but now in a pretty small and cramped cubicle, trying to scam elderly people out of money (someone better call Saul Goodman!)

Andrew is trying to make the best of the situation, going around to parties in ridiculous red one-suits and all that, once again proving he’s never exactly been one to fit in.

That’s when the FBI shows up. Modesto has conned enough people out of their money for it to have been a crime. While Modesto escapes the office, runs home to grab his extra cash and still has time left to escape in the car his favorite son, Andrew and his mother are left to deal with the authorities.

Guess what: they don’t (surprise, surprise) get to keep the house.

Frustrated and confused, Andrew decides he’ll go find wherever his father ran off to and try to get some questions answer. That place just so happens to be Manila, so suddenly Andrew is on a plane that’s headed to the Philippines.

He doesn’t exactly find the reunion he was hoping for. While Modesto is happy to see him at first, the conversation quickly turns sour when he feels Andrew has been ungrateful for all he’s done. “You’re not upset that I stole; you’re upset that I stopped,” Modesto tells him before spitting in his face.

Returning home defeated, Andrew and his mother are forced to move out and find jobs. We see Andrew apply for at the pharmacy we then see him working at in the previous episode, which is when he’s asked by the owner about what his father does.

This is when we see Andrew get that ever so familiar grin on his face, as he conjures up a fable.  He says that his father owns a pineapple business, making millions upon millions of dollars.

And we all know that the lies only escalate from there.

There’s only one episode of American Crime Story: Versace left, airing Wednesday night on FX!

‘American Crime Story: Versace’ recap: ‘Creator/Destroyer’ – TheCelebrityCafe.com

It’s kind of funny how Andrew keeps saying he’s going to be rich and powerful, when all he really does is end up killing people who are far richer and powerful than he is — something that was made pretty evident in the latest episode of American Crime Story: Versace.

This new episode of Versace, entitled “Ascent,” spends some much needed time examining the power dynamic between Gianni Versace and his sister, Donatella. Guess what folks, Versace wasn’t always the nicest guy after all.

In fact, he had quite the temper, which is why he blows up at his sibling when he doesn’t feel like she’s pushing herself hard enough in the world of fashion. He later apologizes, telling her that she’s his true legacy and all, but it’s not the last time we see him rage.

This initial episode does, however, inspire Donatella to really step out on her own. Working together with Gianni, the two design an erotic looking dress that Donatella then wears to a red carpet. Crowds of cameras swarm to her, as it indicates she has officially made her mark.

A mark that is sadly short-lived, as the Versace’s quickly learn people don’t necessarily want to buy or wear a fancy looking dress that they see someone else look beautiful in. Donatella suggests a second dress based on the same design, but that’s where Gianni’s anger comes back and he just decides to destroy the whole thing instead.

Because, you know, that’s what made the most sense.

That’s when it hits though — Gianni’s ear cancer. He loses his ability to hear right at that very moment and is quickly sent over to Miami to recover. That means, you guessed it, Donatella is now running the business.

All of that has nothing to do with Andrew’s storyline, of course, because this season of American Crime Story is determined to keep the two main characters as separate as possible.

This time, we’re following Andrew shortly after he met Jeff, but before he meets David. Cunanan is working a dead-end job, repeatedly being lectured to by his boss about ‘applying himself’ and all that. Andrew, obviously, couldn’t care less. He just makes up some more lies to escape the situation, then returns home to his mother’s apartment, miserable.

It’s at the bar where his luck begins to change. While Jeff lands an attractive young companion for the night and Andrew thinks he’s initially going home empty-handed, it’s then that an older man begins to make his move. “Either there’s money in your wallet, or there isn’t,” the man says after seeing Andrew can’t pay his tab, and things between the two of them go on from there.

Obviously, this interaction made something click for Andrew — he likes older men. Better yet, older men like him. Like, REALLY like him. Why not try to do something with this?

That’s what leads him to try to get hired by a male escort service — an interview that doesn’t go all too well. Andrew proves he’s willing to work hard and that he certainly has the, ahem, assets to please, but the woman working there informs him that it’s not how hard you work. It’s what people want. And, frankly, people don’t want Andrew.

Instead of dwelling on the truth, Andrew instead decides that they’re wrong and he doesn’t need an agency. He’ll just go around, selling himself. His first target: Norman, the man we saw him living within the previous episode.

At least, that was the original idea. After slyly getting himself invited to dinner with Norman and a couple of his friends, he winds up being bought by one of those companions — a man named Lincoln Aston (Todd Waring).

It’s a simple deal. Andrew gets a weekly allowance and, in return, he keeps Lincoln company for a time and makes sure that his house is always full of like-minded people.

At least, it should be simple. That’s when a little something called love gets in the way. It’s in San Francisco that Andrew sees David sitting alone at a bar. His attraction to him is instant, as he immediately sends him a drink. David is flattered, as no one has ever even bought him a drink before, and the two end up spending the night together.

Lincoln, who sees Andrew’s hotel expenses, doesn’t like this. He instantly knows what’s going on and breaks things off with Andrew. Angry, Andrew returns home to his mother and, in a moment of anger, shoves her and accidentally breaks her shoulder blade.

It’s Lincoln, though, who gets the real blunt end of the stick. Lincoln goes to a gay bar to try and pick up another younger man, only to have the guy he chooses to freak out on him and beat him to death with a nearby statue. Tough break.

Andrew just so happened to see the whole thing go down. He doesn’t feel particularly inclined to say anything to the police and is more surprised that no one is really going to do anything about it. Turns out, you can kill a gay man and no one will bat an eye — something Andrew is going to remember further down the line.

The episode then ends with Andrew reuniting with Norman and moving in with him. Andrew has the wealth he’s dreamed of for so long, while holding the idea of love — with David — still in his heart.

‘American Crime Story: Versace’ recap: ‘Ascent’ – TheCelebrityCafe.com

Versace…! Head is officially starting to hurt trying to keep this timeline straight.

Versace is back from its week hiatus, the new episode of American Crime Story: Versace goes back even FURTHER in the timeline of Andrew Cunanan. Granted, not all the way back to his first interactions with Versace, but a year before he started his killing spree.

In 1996, Andrew is doing alright for himself, as he’s living the glamorous life. That is, he’s crashing at a mansion with a luxurious swimming pool (in which Andrew swims in naked during the opening scene), which is technically owned by an older man named Norman (Michael Nouri).

Andrew and Norman aren’t dating, per-say, despite having had sexual relations in the past. Rather, and this is where the tale turns sad, Norman pities Andrew. He sees that he’s become accustomed to his lifestyle, and doesn’t want to throw him out on the street.

But all good things must come to an end. This relationship does end up crashing and burning eventually, shortly after Andrew’s birthday party.

Most noticeably amongst the guest that Andrew invites is David, whom he killed two episodes ago, and Jeffrey, who met his fate in the previous episode.

Andrew loves David (lol some things never change). Like, head-over-heels in love, despite the fact that David clearly doesn’t feel the same way. Jeffrey, at this point, is no more than just a close friend to Andrew— a close friend that he plans to use to get closer to David.

After trying forcing Jeffrey to put on his old navy uniform for a conversation starter (clearly Andrew was manipulating people long before he started killing them), David arrives and is almost immediately impressed.

Impressed with Jeffrey, that is. The two hit it off right away, leaving Andrew running to the bathroom to do lines of coke and wonder what’s happening and where he went wrong.

The party doesn’t improve when he’s interrupted by Lee, the guy who Andrew killed THREE episodes ago (are you starting to see where the headache comes from?). Andrew, evidently, is embarrassed of Lee and doesn’t want David knowing about his relationship with him.

After gathering together everyone who he eventually ends up killing for a group photo, Andrew has his confrontation with Norman. Norman catches Andrew in a web of lies and then gives him a pretty solid ultimatum: either tell the truth or get out.

Andrew being Andrew choses to leave. The problem is he really doesn’t have anywhere to go — his apartment is literally falling apart.

That’s not going to stop him, though. Oh no. As we heard referenced in previous episodes, Andrew then saids the letter to Jeffrey’s dad — hoping to out him as gay before he’s ready and sabotage the relationship between Jeffrey and David.

The plan has the exact opposite effect. Jeffrey confronts Andrew, telling him he’s moving to Minneapolis — where David lives.

Panicking, Andrew comes up with another brilliant plan (since he’s so full of those): he’s going to invite him to a fully funded trip to Los Angeles and try to win him back. Sorry, did I say invite? David really didn’t have much say in the matter, as Andrew refused to take no for an answer.

Of course, Andrew doesn’t have the money to pay for any of this, but that’s not really his concern at the moment. He just wants David to see how much he means to him.

And, to his credit, David realizes that feeling pretty quickly. Problem is, it’s not a mutual feeling. He eventually tells Andrew that they can’t be together and he’s not the one. Even when David gives him the slightest chance, Andrew reverts back to his lies and the whole thing falls apart.

A couple of days letter, Andrew is hitting a new low. After stumbling into a bar and making up a lie about his new fiancé to the bartender, he comes across a shady guy sitting in the corner who offers him meth. He takes it and winds up having a trippy dream that involves Versace, love and a measuring tape.

Now, with a new drug addiction to support and an exponentially growing credit-card bill, Andrew is officially out of money.

He returns to Norman’s house, pleading to be let back in, but Norman opts to call the police instead (can you blame him?), He gets bailed out by his mother, who takes him back to her apartment — a housing situation that somehow looks even worse than Andrew’s.

His mother, though, seems to think Andrew is destined to great things. Even when Andrew straight-up tells her that he’s unhappy, his mother won’t let him stay in that frame of mind — he’s a born star.

A born star who ends the episode declaring he’s on his way to Minneapolis. And the rest is history.

There’s only three more episodes of Versace left, what do you think is going to happen next? Check out the new episode on Wednesday nights at FX and read our other Versace recaps by clicking here.

‘American Crime Story: Versace’ recap: ‘Descent’ – TheCelebrityCafe.com