Recapping 'Versace': Episode 6, 'Descent'
As we enter the back half of "The Assassination of Gianni Versace," it's becoming clear that this is the Andrew Cunanan story. The show is less an examination of how the fashion designer was murdered but why he was murdered, putting the spotlight on his killer, marvelously portrayed by the dynamic Darren Criss. This is another week where we don't see the Versace crew, including Penelope Cruz, Edgar Ramirez (Ramirez's Gianni does appear in one scene but as a figment of Andrew's imagination) and Ricky Martin.
In the sixth episode of the season "Descent," directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton and written by Tom Rob Smith, the show travels further back in time - a year before Andrew went on his cross-country murdering spree. The episode opens with Andrew celebrating his birthday in San Diego where he's living with an older, wealthy man named Norman (Michael Nouri) in a fabulous seaside house. But it's all a show, an attempt to woo and impress David Madson (Cody Fern). Andrew explains to his best friend Elizabeth Cote (the wonderful Annaleigh Ashford), that he's staying with Norma "curating" his home and designing its decor. Andrew goes on to say he sees a "future" with David and that he's trying to be "someone he can love."
Also at the birthday party is Jeff Trail (Finn Wittrock), dressed in blue jeans and sneakers. Andrew hands Jeff a pair of fancy loafers to wear for the party. Jeff has brought a gift for Andrew, but Andrew gives him another gift to pass him in its place.
"I want [David] to see I have really good friends," Andrew tells Jeff. "...I need you to look the part."
"What does a good friend look like?" Jeff asks. "How is this going to help?"
"I need him to know [that you love me]," Andrew says.
Jeff finally agrees but before Andrew tells him that he told David he is still serving in the Navy. He reluctantly agrees.
As the episode goes on, it continues to dig into Andrew's compulsive lying as well as his drug addiction. Not only does he lead David to believe Norman's house is actually his, but he tells him he used to design clothes with Gianni Versace. Later in the episode, we see Andrew doing hard drugs.
"We'll have a house like this one day. Maybe this very one," he tells David. Shortly after, Jeff hands Andrew the gift Andrew gave him, which turn out to be a pair of Ferragamo shoes.
That's when Jeff and David meet for the first time - and seemingly make a connection, upsetting Andrew.
"Descent" also features one of the few characters in the series who acts as a direct foil to Andrew. One of Norman's friends, played by "Saturday Night Live" alum Terry Sweeney, is fully aware of Andrew's lies and act, giving him a hard time throughout the episode, letting Andrew know he's on to him.
Darren Criss as Andrew Cunanan, Cody Fern as David Madson, Finn Wittrock as Jeffrey Trail in a scene from "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." Photo credit: Ray Mickshaw/FX
"I have a birthday present for you, it's a piece of advice. You think Norman is the lucky one. You're wrong, you're the lucky one," he tells Andrew. "Norman is a conservative old queer... most men would make it clear you're an employee, but he wants you to feel like you're an equal. But you're not an equal."
He goes on to say Norman was vulnerable when he met Andrew and that his partner died of AIDS, suggesting Andrew preyed on his friend during a difficult time.
"What a mix you are," he tells Andrew. "Too lazy to work, too proud to be kept."
"I need to get back to my party that room is full of people who love me," Andrew says.
"Then that room is full of people who don't know you," Norman's friend responds.
As the party continues, Andrew grows more concerned about Jeff and David getting closer and he attempts to balance out his lies. Later on, Lee Miglin (Mike Farrell) shows up at the party, adding to the episode's fever dream quality - like at the end of "Alice in Wonderland," where Alice confronts all the characters she's met throughout her bizarre journey.
After the party, Norman confronts Andrew about his lies, his past, and his current behavior. He says he won't be taken for a fool, and if Andrew can't share his life with him then he has to leave Norman's multi-million-dollar home. This upsets Andrew, who smashes Norman's glass table with a chair and announces he's leaving but "expect[s Norman] to call me."
Darren Criss as Andrew Cunanan, Michael Nouri as Norman Blachford in a scene from "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." Photo credit: Suzanne Tenner/FX
Andrew indeed leaves, moving into a crummy studio apartment. Jeff then visits Andrew, and the two fight about Andrew sending Jeff's father a postcard that suggested Jeff is gay. During their argument, Jeff tells Andrew he's moving because he's unhappy, and Andrew contributed to that unhappiness.
Andrew then invites David to Los Angeles, where he arranges a five-star hotel stay, rents a sports car and wines and dines David, continuing his unhealthy, lying lifestyle. Despite all his attempts to impress David, which includes buying him a new suit, David still isn't connecting with Andrew and tells him so.
A desperate Andrew tries to impress David even more but it doesn't work and David says the two can't take the next step in their relationship. He says he wants to get to know the real Andrew and get to the truth. But Andrew can't help himself and he continues to lie about his family, saying his dad was a wealthy stockbroker and his mother ran a successful publishing house. David, however, sees through Andrew's lies; an excellent Cody Fern plays the moment so well you can see David's face drooping in disappointment.
"David, I'm a good person, who wants to be good to you," Andrew says.
"One day you're going to make someone very happy. I know you will," David responds.
After things dissolve with David, Andrew is left feeling helpless and spiraling out of control. Parts of "The Assassination of Versace" have had a dreamlike quality, as writer Tom Rob Smith had to create a number of moments. "Descent" features one of the most vibrant and creepy scenes in the series, where a drugged-out Andrew envisions himself meeting Gianni Versace; the scene is cloaked in a crimson red glow as Andrew debates with Gianni about the life he should have had and that Gianni stole it from him.
Cody Fern as David Madson, Finn Wittrock as Jeffrey Trail in a scene from "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." Photo credit: Ray Mickshaw/FX
"People have taken from me and taken from me... now I'm spent," he tells Gianni, as he measures him for a suit. "This world has wasted me while it has turned you, Mr. Versace, into a star."
"You think you're better than me? You're not better than me. We're the same - the only difference is you got lucky," Andrew adds.
"It's not the only difference, sir," Gianni says.
"What else you got?" Andrew asks.
"I have love," the designer responds.
After the nightmare, Andrew, disheveled, high and desperate, tries to break into Norman's house late at night, pleading with him to take him back. Of course, Norman doesn't and threatens to call the police.
The next morning, Andrew goes to his mother's home, who lives in a sad one-bedroom apartment. The end of "Decent" is completely devastating, as it's the first time we see Mary Ann Cunanan (Joanna P. Adler), who is a sad and unhinged woman.
"I'm unhappy," Andrew tells his mother, who ignores him and launches into a story about how she ran into a friend and bragged about Andrew working with Versace, traveling the world - of course, none of this is true and only adds to Andrew's self-hate in the moment.
"I wish you could stay with me," Andrew's mother says, holding her son. "But I have to share you with the world."
As Andrew leaves, he tells his mother he is going to visit Minneapolis - where David lives and where Jeff eventually moves.
"Descent" gives more context to Andrew and why he is the way he is, but it's only scratching the surface of what's to come.