'American Crime Story' Season 2, Episode 8 'Creator/Destroyer' Recap: A Living Lie [SPOILERS]

Dreams begin from something. In the case of the Versaces, fashion flows in their veins. Hailing from Italy, it’s an innate characteristic to have a taste for style. But young Gianni (Edgar Ramirez) finds out that him being a dressmaker is not far from what his mother wants. Instead, his mother becomes his first supporter. She ignites the passion that Gianni has in him. Although bullied in school, Gianni’s mother trained him to follow his dreams. With this, Gianni’s mother continues to nurture his talent and skill. Thus, the Versace empire is on its way to becoming a reality. In American Crime Story ‘Creator/Destroyer,’ we look back at the beginnings of an empire and a killer.

Young Versions Of Today

A young Andrew (Edouard Holdener) moves to a new household. Even as a child, he read books in his leisure. This hobby equated to him being smart when he grows up. As they arrive in their new home, Andrew and his family begin to unpack. His father, Modesto Cunanan (Jon Jon Briones), assures Andrew that he is special because the room he gets is the biggest in the house.
Andrew wakes up in the middle of the night. He goes outside of his room and sees Modesto working on something through the window blinds. His father is fixing a flagpole that bears an American flag on it.
Their family’s religion is Catholic. Young Andrew goes to a church with his mother. As it turns out, it’s a school. His father is in another place at the time. Modesto applies as a stockbroker for an agency while Andrew comes in as a new student in the school. Andrew got the attitude he has from Modesto. Modesto sells himself to employers like a pro. It’s almost crossing the line of bragging with what he has. Andrew expertly answered the shool’s questions to him and impressed the evaluator.
They come home together, and Modesto breaks the news. He jokes that he didn’t get the job. A few moments later, Modesto broke the silence and claimed he got the job. His wife, Mary Ann Cunanan (Joanna P. Adler), believed the joke. Furious, Modesto believes that his wife doesn’t think he didn’t get the job. He starts throwing a tantrum and creates an awkward feeling. Because of Modesto’s sudden burst of anger, Mary Ann diffuses the situation and tells everyone to “Eat dinner like kings.”.
It’s normal for parents to want the best for their children. In the case of the Cunanan’s, training starts at a young age. Books are Andrew’s lifeline. Modesto oversees his readings. Every night, Modesto sits beside Andrew and make him read books. Andrew’s reading activities paid off when he got into the school his father wanted him to attend.
Meanwhile, Modesto fails on his first day in his job. He seems to be throwing deals out of the window as the day progresses. It looks like his training, and a lot of book-reading is not enough. But instead of becoming upset about it, he goes home with a car for his son Andrew. While Andrew is happy about the car, Mary Ann tells Modesto that is too much. Modesto says it’s for Andrew’s acceptance in the Bishop school. As Mary Ann still disagrees with Modesto’s decision, Modesto becomes furious and hurts her. They test drive the car and leaves without Mary Ann.
Of course, Andrew is still a kid and asks a lot of questions. In a conversation with his father, Andrew learns about his younger years. Modesto tells him the story of how he hurt his foot. Andrew injured his foot with a heater. But Modesto says that Andrew did not make a sound and acted as if nothing happened.

Present-Day Matters In American Crime Story

Andrew grows up to become a man of privilege. What does a wealthy family do best anyway? A superior attitude. As he parks his car in the school’s garage, he hangs out with the famous kids in school. During a photoshoot for their yearbook, Andrew yells to the other students about mediocrity. One student cries out a derogatory gay term to him. Andrew loses it and goes right in front of the camera and snaps an unusual photo.
His father, Modesto is still a stockbroker. But to meet the deadlines, he tries to cheat his way through a customer. Modesto tries to steal money from a 90-year-old woman who’s unaware of his plans. He fails anyway.
Mary Ann suspects that Andrew is dating a woman. Little does she know, Andrew is dating an older guy. This guy often gives Andrew gifts and in return, asks for particular service from Andrew. But Andrew wants something more from the guy. He wants the relationship to be official. So Andrew asked the older guy to drop by a party. The older guy is still inside the closet. So instead of going official, he dumps Andrew. He kicks out Andrew from the car. But Andrew enjoyed the party instead of thinking about the failed relationship.

Andrew lives a lie

In a twist of fate, Modesto gets caught for faking a stock exchange with the old woman. His agency calls in for a meeting and asks Modesto about the issue. But he denies it with conviction. But the family of the woman traces Modesto and tries to get him by the neck. The agency tells Modesto that if he has nothing to hide, he shouldn’t lie. But instead, Modesto freaks out about the threat and books a flight.
Andrew gets praised in the yearbook and labeled “after me, destruction” by the editors. Meanwhile, Modesto escapes the office and goes home to grab some things. Andrew arrives home and sees the commotion outside their house. The FBI has lined up their front yard while searching for his father. Modesto meets Andrew outside and tells his son “don’t believe what they say” and drives away with Andrew’s car.
Mary Ann explains to Andrew that his father was a failure. Modesto knew this was all going to happen, but he didn’t do anything about it. Now their family is a shipwreck. Andrew packs his bags and tells Mary Ann he’s going to find him. But Mary Ann says Modesto is going to Manila. Andrew then tells him otherwise. Andrew tells Mary Ann that he’s wrong.
Andrew goes home to Manila in search of his father, Modesto. In a taxi ride to Baliwag, the night takes over the streets of Manila. Andrew goes off the taxi in a place that’s unfamiliar to him. He arrives in a simple bungalow, where he meets his uncle. His uncle guides him to his father who hides in the same neighborhood. Modesto welcomes Andrew with beer and chicharon.
Andrew asks Modesto if they still have money. Modesto brainwashes Andrew and makes him think that their money is somewhere far. Andrew, being Modesto’s boy, believes his father’s lies. Later that night, Andrew confronts his father again about the money. He asked about what happened to him. Modesto admits there is no money left for him. This revelation makes Andrew feel like his whole life was a lie. He didn’t take it, so he decided to go home.
Back in the US, Andrew arrives home. He saw that all their goods are being taken away from him and his mother. But Andrew didn’t care and hugged his mother. This low point prompts Andre to apply for a pharmacists job and starts faking everything about him.
“American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace” continues next Wednesday, March 21st with the Season 2 finale titled “Alone” at 10/9c on FX.