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How different are season 1 and 2 of American Crime Story?

Season 2 of American Crime Story, The Assassination of Gianni Versace recently aired its finale. How well does it compare to season 1 — The People vs. OJ Simpson?

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

We bid adieu to Andrew Cunanan as The Assassination of Gianni Versace comes to an end.

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.