“We must be talked about, or we are nothing.” —Donatella Versace, to the Versace staff
“For me, being told ‘no’ is like being told I don’t exist. It’s like I disappeared or something.” —Andrew Cunanan, to Jeff Trail
“Is this normal? Is this normal enough?” —Gianni Versace to his sister Donatella, on creating a less unique ready-to-wear version of the haute couture dress they designed together for her
“It’s just a name they made up to sound special.” —Andrew Cunanan to his mother Mary Anne, on Häagen-Dazs ice cream
“It needs confidence.” “It gives confidence.” —Donatella and Gianni, on the dress
“So you can hold your own at a dinner table conversation.” “I am the dinner table conversation.” —an escort agency owner and Andrew Cunanan, on Andrew Cunanan
“I want the world to see you in a way that you have never been seen before.” —Gianni to Donatella
“Oh, if they could see me now.” “Who?” “Everyone.” —Andrew Cunanan to Norman Blachford
“This dress is not my legacy. You are.” —Gianni to Donatella
“He’s a good boy. He’s always been a good boy.” —Mary Anne on Andrew Cunanan
“Ascent,” the seventh episode of ACS Versace, is the one where my admiration for what writer Tom Rob Smith has accomplished with his scripts and structure for the series shifted into something approaching awe. Returning to the Versaces’ world of high fashion for the first time since Episode 2 (their appearance in Episode 5 centered on Gianni’s coming out, not their work as designers), it creates a series of parallels between the the artist and the man who would murder him that are all the more striking for how different they are in intention and affect.
I reviewed episode seven of ACS Versace for Decider a couple weeks back. (I apologize for all the catch-up linkblogging tonight.) I remember going through my notes on this one and thinking “Christ, this is a well-written show.”
Tags: american crime story, decider, horror, reviews, the assassination of gianni versace, the assassination of gianni versace: american crime story, TV, TV reviews