“American Gigolo” thoughts, Season One, Episode Eight: “East of Eden”

Several episodes ago I made the argument that American Gigolo’s warmth was a welcome development given the emotional sterility of Paul Schrader’s original film. Now I’m not so sure. These final few episodes have seen warmth tilt over into soap suds, and the replacement of a harsh look at Julian’s lifestyle with a give me back my son whodunnit didn’t benefit anyone in the end. And I can’t help but feel that this show with “gigolo” in the title should have featured, well, more gigolo-ing, or really had any interest in sex work at all beyond providing an taboo backdrop for a murder mystery. A curious, curious beast, this American Gigolo. I wonder if we’ll see Julian ride again. So to speak.

I reviewed the season finale of American Gigolo for Decider.

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