At times I thought I was going to be unable to watch this series. I do not like gory shows. They give me nightmares. It just wasn’t the series I was expecting. It was horrifying.
But shouldn’t a show about serial killers be horrifying? Maybe the reason why other people become serial killers is because in the past we didn’t really give it a full examination?
Even so, I don’t need to watch this shit. I have enough horrific things in my head that I have survived. I’ve never really understood the ID channel and it’s fans, which I know is many of you. Why do you want to put that information in your brains when you could be listening to NPR or watching some documentaries or even watching a string of good RomComs?
I judge people who watch these types of series. The violence and brutality and hate is too much for me. But I could not look away.
Ryan Murphy using Nene Leakes to widen his audience kind of made me hate him until I realized that he knew Nene had co-opted her entire schtick from the gay population of Atlanta. He used her while she was peaking and knew that eventually this real housewives shit will go away. This is also the reason I try in vain to give you guys options. Some of them are even reality shows. But despite Lady Cocotte giving the very best recaps of The Walking Dead,or begging y’all to branch out. It never really happens.
In that same vein, we didn’t really watch Versace together. And despite hating brutal shows, I am addicted to this show. I thought tonight was the finale and I was greiving that already but the finale is next week. And as much as I was repulsed by this show, I didn’t want it to end.
I do kind of hate that it is shown in reverse order. That was supposed to be my post. That is my question, do you think it would have been a better season if it was shown in chronological order?
It is hard to watch because it’s so sad to see the innocent victims and what was taken from them. I don’t like murder shows at all but certain cases capture our attention which says a lot too. Although I find the regular day to day news just as depressing. Some people are filled with evil. I don’t mind the reverse order of the series. I think they did a good job of showing us who these men were and all the potential they had and families that loved them. I’m wondering if he killed even more people. Imagine the men who were with him and escaped being his victim? On a lighter note I like the soundtrack. Did you notice the actor portraying Norman is Michael Nouri from Flashdance? Why couldn’t this maniac be happy with Norman in that gorgeous house filled with designer shopping bags. I like Norman’s friend who had Andrew figured out from the beginning. He’s lucky to be alive too. Kind of an older Cooper Ray.
I bet Norman is thanking his lucky stars he didn’t let him back in the house! An older Cooper Ray – perfect description of his friend LOLOL!
YES Norman’s friend did peg him from the start! And the way Counanan’s father treated the young Andrew. I almost thought his Dad was grooming him for sex w/older men when he bought that big house, giving young Andrew the mstr bdrm, with fireplace in it to boot! He seemed obsessed with the boy. No wonder Counanan thought he was entitled to all finer things, not having to work for them! The despicable Dad was equally criminal
Um I am not amused about anyone bringing my friend into this. Using the only gay guy you know and bringing him into this is despicable.
Um Only gay guy I know? That’s not correct. I think there is a physical resemblance age aside. Besides the comparison wasn’t to the serial killer but to someone astute enough to see thru him. Now can we discuss my friend Jeff Lewis’s resemblance to Tony Perkins in Psycho? How bout Todd Chrisley and Paul Lynde?
I just couldn’t. Stopped watching after the third episode.
I know but it was horrible in reverse order.
I didn’t see the point in that,.
The series actually DID start in correct order of Counanan (sp?) killing Versachi, then went backward from there. I LIKE seeing what may have happened to killers in their young FORMATIVE years to maybe connect the dots to where they start killing. And I like the ID Channel too, that show killers, for the same reason of maybe? seeing why/when they first snap!
I’ve had enough shit happen in my life also and probably shouldn’t be watching it, but like you, I can’t turn away! I don’t mind watching in reverse order but I will say I didn’t realize it was a series until the end of the first episode when they showed scenes from next week. I thought it was a one hour show because the title happened then & there! I’m glad it wasn’t just one but it is really gory.
Ah! I love the worst shows! Criminal minds, bravo in general, htgawm, sister wives, the challenge, 48 hrs, dateline, jeopardy, wicked tuna, sitcoms, almost anything (except singing or talent competitions)! I’ll recap anything you need (pick me! Pick me!). English major in college whose skills can be dusted off right here!!!
This actor is almost too good. It’s going to be impossible for me to watch Glee or whatever without thinking he’s about to snap or that’s probably a lie.
I’m amazed at all those sets with the 90s expensive furniture, clothes, houses, watching it feels like a weird dream flashback, which I think is the point.
I was hooked ! Yeah, it was totally twisted.
This has been my go-to Wednesday night show.
I so wanted to love this show. I quit after 3-4 epis. Took it off my DVR. The timeline is stupid. I get starting with Versace, but to “rewind” the chronology didnt elevate the story. It simply made it confusing and it pissed me off. Thanks for the recaps.
Ever since a childhood sleepover resulted in us kiddies watching the original Friday the 13th, I have been scarred for life with regards to horrific violence and gory stuff. Having said that, I have been watching this show. The early episodes owed a debt of gratitude to American Psycho and Jason Bateman’s quest for the most perfect things + violence to fill the empty void inside of himself. I appreciate that the show wants to treat all of Cunanan’s victims as if they were Versace and give them a voice and characterisations that we can relate to. The backwards-forwards storytelling style was interesting for the first episode but I think they should have abandoned that format thereafter and gone chronological. It would make the build-up to Versace that much more logical, if that’s the word.
The show has made me re-appreciate great pop songs of the 90s, though — Phil Collins Easy Lover being a prime example. I never realised that song was so good at the time! I do have a critique with regards to the staging of Versace’s fashion shows, and his design offices. They look super-budget and unworthy of the super-luxe lifestyle he lived. The fashion shows have all of five extras. They should have just focused on Gianni and Donatella watching their shows from the wings. Speaking of, Ricky Martin and the guy who plays GV are excellent, and unlike some bloggers, I think Penelope Cruz did a great job as Donatella. She may not have DV’s lived-in, scarred face, but she does have her voice and mannerisms. And the depth of feeling she has for her brother and the business. It’s a difficult role because, frankly, only Donatella can play Donatella.
I think Penelope played her well. I need closed captioning for for both Donatellas though!
I totally agree with your synopsis! The main actor was also giving me American Psycho vibes. It’s hard not to make that connection. Judith Light was also good in her short role.. but would you expect anything less?. I also don’t understand the point of the reverse chronology. It’s been annoying. I feel like the series is mistitled. The series is about the killer and his subsequent killings, Versace was just the final victim in his killing spree. I feel like it was a marketing ploy of production to name it ‘Assassination of ….” to gain attention for the series. Did I miss it or why don’t we get to see how he went psycho on Versace? Are they saving it for the finale? 🙄 I don’t know. the series had potential but at the end of it all it’s giving a low budget movie vibe. Aside from the main character, all the minor character acting has been horrible. Especially the guy who played David. He bored me to no end.
I did not mind the reverse order. I think looked like next week they are back to the beginning and they are looking for him at his mother’s because I heard the fbi say we are looking for the killer of Versace.
I usually can’t watch this type of show either, but I was fascinated by the Versace murder when it happened. I admit I did cover my eyes during all of the gory parts and then had nightmares after the 1st 2 episodes. I can’t wait until the finale.
I usually like happy shows or comedies because the world is depressing and scary enough.
I think my crush Matt Bomer is producer of this. Too bad he wasn’t in it. I love looking at him. I still miss White Collar.
I started to take this off my dvr after the gruesome first episodes but glad I didn’t. Darren Criss is remarkable in this role. Seeing his father and his family and the utter dysfunction explained a lot. His father was a very sick man.
There’s a difference between people who watch these types of shows and read the books as “rubberneckers”, and the majority of women who want to learn ways to escape such horrific behavior should they ever be confronted with it themselves. Self-preservation is a big draw to many (primarily women) who although we hate the blood and guts don’t want to come out on the losing end of evil people such as this killer.
That said, I am not able to watch this at night, I just can’t. But please don’t judge us for watching, it’s more watching for the signs of deadly behavior to get out in time and less peering through the window enjoying our neighbor’s bad luck.
I’ve enjoyed the series, though I’ve missed a few episodes. I’m a psychology buff and am always interested in the back story of those who committed heinous crimes. Heck, I used to read a lot of Ann Rule until it got to be too much. Cunanin got away with his crimes for far too long, much as the Green River killer did because if the victims he chose to target, and I just really wanted to know what the psychopathology was behind his behavior.
I wish you had reviewed the series, but respected your choice not to.
It was like when you’re exiting a club and you see some chic in a dress that’s way too short leaned over a garbage can puking her brains out and though it’s one of the grosses things to see, you can’t stop watching. Well, that’s my feeling about this show. Not sure why I endure shows like this.
I do agree that the chronological order would have worked better for me because I didn’t know the story well enough to be able to follow a reverse order.. That said, the acting was remarkable
I really liked show. After the first episode, I was hooked. I agree with everyone else regarding the order of the episodes. I think they should’ve been in chronological order as well.
I don’t know why it is, but I love watching the ID channel! Most of the shows have corny acting in them, but I have a few I love. Vanity fair and People magazine always have a good series. See No Evil is another good one. I think the most disturbing was Hear No Evil. If you really want to get creeped out, watch those. I’m waiting for this Versace series to be over completely so I can binge watch. I’ve watched other specials on this case, but still interested.
Ok, so I think this may have been the second 60 minute (without commercials) episode this season.. I feel as though the whole season should have been that length.. oftentimes, things felt a little bit rushed to do time constraints, with each episode having to do only with the person getting murdered in that episode.. it was almost as if each episode was an anthology not having to do with the rest…it made it hard at times to really feel anything for some of the characters.
The reverse order did have some good bits.. mostly the scenes involving Jeff Trail and David.. but starting with the Versace murder and then going way back in time and showing Andrews transformation as the events happened in chronological order and then building up to Versace’s murder may have made it better.
Lastly, the name.. This show has little to do with Versace, and is basically about Andrew Cunanan.. He is an interesting character… but they shouldn’t have used Versace’s name as a title because all that has done is frustrate a bunch of individuals hoping to see more of Gianni and Donatella..
I’m loving this and was obsessed when I first heard it was happening.
Then, at dinner, one of my friends who was friends with Versace in LA in the 1990s actual knew some of the players including AC and I flipped.
So far from the things he knew of personally, the events are pretty true. They all guessed about Versace being sick because it was obvious.
I can’t watch it at night. I have to wait until the day after while my toddlers are napping.
It is worse than I thought it would be. I was 18/19 when this was going on and after the OJ trial I was becoming a true crime fan. I didn’t really know much beyond Versace and the house boat. It’s a very awful story, but I’m glad it’s being told. I think he was a bit romanticized.
I just have not been able to get into this season. I’m not sure if it’s the non-linear story telling or if it’s just that this season seems to be based more on rumor/best guesses about what happened rather a more straight forward factual account which I thought the OJ Series was having read the book it was based on.
The next season is supposed to be based on the Five Days at Memorial book which I’m excited to see. Excellent but very heavy and sad read.
It being shown in reverse chronological order has caused me to rewatch several episodes to make sure I’m sure who all of the people/characters are. That’s probably intentional. I never watched Glee so this is my first time seeing Darren Criss. Wow! I find him so much more interesting in this than I do the Versace family. When he went to the house party of the DiSilva’s and he danced the same “Zero Fucks” dance there that he did when he had that john’s head taped up (that totally freaked me out), it just makes me want to know more and why he did what he did.
Does anyone else think Andrew had a sexual relationship with his father? What was that about? He wasn’t lying when he said his parents gave him the master bedroom though, I thought that was so weird.
It seemed to me that is what they were insinuating…
I agree with that. I got that impression as well. Perhaps that is why he had a thing for older men. Only he knows for sure.
I was hoping that’s not was being inferred.
I never thought of that. I just felt they were showing how his father helped shape him into the man he became.
I am so glad some of you watched this so we can discuss. I cut my teeth on movies like Texas Chainsaw Massacre that I felt cool watching with my older brother so this wasn’t so bad. I still like horror movies.
So, what was the point of the few times this was focused on Donatella? They never really fleshed out her character. A bio on the Versace family would be interesting though.
To me, who happens to be an ID fan, it’s the ultimate reality show.
It’s fascinating how and why people do what they do.
It becomes about the situation and how it would be handled, to me.
Not the blood,or violent acts.
I’m behind a few episodes of Versace. Just having difficulty understanding what Penelope Cruz is saying and doing much of the time.
To be clear, the ID shows are the ultimate reality shows.
I’m behind a few Versace episodes is regarding the Versace show.
Just wanted to explain what it is that makes me an ID addict.
I also agree with what you said TT regarding, we definitely need a Court TV to come back.
I love the series but had trouble with reverse order. I do not know the story well so I was getting a bit confused.
However, I have to say the episodes got progressively better and better… I loved the last episode. I thought the house party scene was great. I would’ve loved to see more of his relationship with the girl (cannot remember her name). Now I want to go back a rewatch other scenes with her because previously she didn’t make much of an impression on me.
Also, I find it interesting that by going backwards you end up with an episode where you sympathize with him. Right before the finale. I suppose this is all on purpose. But he was a serial killer that murdered Versace- I don’t want to sympathize with him.
I’m only beginning episode 206. I was thinking, it’s almost being told what is known, then the story filled in the blanks.
There is no way to know a lot of the details, so it’s being done probably the only way it can be.
I’m looking forward to the remaining episodes.
Life does not happen in reverse order, it’s stupid. I would have been more interested if it was in the correct order. Can’t stand gimmicks like that.
I keep asking myself, why am I addicted to this show? I don’t know , but I am. I would have preferred. to have seen it in the correct order
I think when it’s over, I am going to watch them in reverse order to absorb it all. I feel like I miss all the nuances with it shown in reverse order. And I think it’s something with Ryan Murphy! I could not have loved Feud/Bette & Joan more. I would watch it more than once just to ogle the scenery. And I was so obsessed with Nip/Tuck, that I actually watched the repeat broadcast in the hospital the night – the night I was in labor with my son. I can still remember the exact episode.
For some reason, I don’t want to like Ryan Murphy as a person. I don’t know why, maybe I saw an interview or something and he struck me the wrong way.
That said, he’s pretty much a genius at what he does.
Unless you have it on your DVR, you’ll miss episodes. FX is notorious for taking shows off On Demand very shortly after the series ends.
I just googled Darren Criss and he is straight and proposed to his girlfriend of seven years this past January. I don’t think I could date him after watching this. He’s terrifying in this show. I’m seriously worried I will have nightmares just commenting about this show this late.
I love Darren Criss-so talented and cute-so I turned on some episode-don’t know which-and he murdered the older rich guy-really cold. Twenty minutes-and I’m done.
Total wuss here-too dark for me. And knowing it really happened-I just couldn’t.
I was so looking forward to this series, but I think it’s 2 eps too long. They could’ve combined 2 of the “behind the curtain” eps on Cunanan.
The cast is fantastic and I look forward to how they wrap it up.
I thought I’d gotten them out of order when the second or third one was on and got all confused. I also plan to rewatch it all in reverse order at the end, although I am holding out hope that the finale episode will make it all come together better than it seems to have so far. I normally don’t watch gruesome shows like this either and also had to hide behind my iPad for a lot of it!
I don’t love the reverse order, either.
I did; however, feel this was one of the best eps. It really showed Andrew’s background and how he was raised. Interesting. Thankfully, it didn’t feel as long as some of the other eps. Some just seem to drag on.