If you would like to read my review of the last episode, click here.
Synopsis: Andrew Cunanan arrives in Miami to stalk Gianni Versace. (IMDB)
Writer: Tom Rob Smith
Director: Nelson Cragg
Rating: TV-MA
Running Time: 42mins
The first episode told the story via multiple timelines and this episode continued this, first starting with Gianni in the hospital with his boyfriend Antonio. Here we get to see the different relationships between these characters including the bond between Gianni and Donatella and Gianni and Antonio as well as the contentious relationship between Donatella and Antonio. This fractured dynamic was affecting Gianni and his work.
Meanwhile, in the present, Donatella continues to mourn the death of her brother. Her disdain for Antonio remained. Gianni’s body was being prepared for a private showing before he was cremated with his ashes being given to Donatella who presumably took them home with her.
Then we saw when Cunanan arrived in Miami. His pathological lying continued as he found himself a place to live at a hotel before meeting Ronnie. Cunanan shared his admiration of Gianni with Ronnie and how he aspired to be like him. He then began to stalk Gianni, scoping out the villa and learning about his routines. While that was happening, the FBI didn’t seem to take case too seriously as they briefed the Miami police about Cunanan. They weren’t concerned with printing more wanted flyers to post across town. Cunanan started to show his true colors in his treatment of a client who hired him as a male escort while dancing to the song “Easy Lover”. He looked to have more sinister intentions but decided to let his client live.
Donatella and Gianni argued about the direction of their company. They held a fashion show where each would compete by dressing their own set of women differently and seeing what the audience reaction would be.
Finally, Cunanan gave money to Ronnie for denying their relationship. He almost got caught at a restaurant when his server thought he noticed him from the news. He of course got away. He then went to a gay nightclub looking for Gianni but he and Antonio just left. He turned on his charm while dancing with another man, boasting about his many talents, however, all he wanted was to not be forgotten.
Overall, this was another good episode that gave us more insight into the characters as we saw each in their own environments. The best part of the season after two episodes was Criss’ performance as Cunanan. Criss can shift from charming to downright terrifying on a dime. He definitely has psychological problems lying below the surface that showed here, especially during the dancing scene. It will be interesting to see the season explore this further. He’s apparently killed multiple people before Miami so hopefully we will see more of his past. The multiple timelines were occasionally hard to follow but they will surely converge as the season progresses. While it may not be at the level of last season, it is still a compelling watch.
Score: 8/10
If you liked this, please read my other reviews here and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, follow me on Instagram, and also like me on Facebook.
The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.
