American Crime Story season 2 episode 8 Recap and FAQ

Episode Summary

A dressmaker imparts lessons of passion and resilience to Gianni, emphasizing the value of hard work. In the Cunanan household, ambition and a sense of specialness are cultivated by Modesto, despite his dubious financial activities and fabrications about his success. Andrew's realization of his father's deceit leads to a dramatic confrontation and a disillusioned journey to the Philippines. Back in the U.S., Andrew seeks a new beginning, subtly echoing his father's patterns of ambition and deceit.

Full Episode S02E08 Recap

### Scene 1: A Lesson in Passion and Dedication - A dressmaker shares her life story with Gianni, revealing her thwarted dream of becoming a doctor due to gender biases and her subsequent success as a dressmaker. - She emphasizes the importance of following one's passion and the dedication it requires, offering to teach Gianni the craft of dressmaking. ### Scene 2: A Lesson in Latin and Resilience - The dressmaker teaches Gianni Latin phrases, symbolizing the start of his learning journey. - Despite an external judgment calling Gianni a "pervert," the dressmaker encourages resilience, focusing on the beauty of their craft and the hard work it entails. ### Scene 3: Values of Hard Work and Self-Sufficiency - A family scene showcases the values of hard work and self-sufficiency, with a father insisting on moving without professional movers to save money and instill strength in the family. ### Scene 4: Ambition and Specialness in the Cunanan Household - Modesto Cunanan instills a sense of ambition and specialness in his son, Andrew, emphasizing the importance of feeling special for success. - Despite lacking traditional qualifications, Modesto demonstrates ambition and a rags-to-riches story during a job interview, highlighting his journey from the Philippines to the U.S. and his financial successes. ### Scene 5: Andrew's School and Modesto's Dubious Business - Andrew is interviewed by a school, with his father Modesto influencing his perception of success and ambition. - Modesto's business practices come into question during his job, hinting at unethical or illegal activities. ### Scene 6: Andrew's Growing Awareness and Disillusionment - Andrew starts to recognize the discrepancies in his father's stories and the reality of their financial situation. - The family faces a crisis as Modesto's fraudulent activities catch up with him, leading to a dramatic confrontation with the FBI. ### Scene 7: Andrew's Confrontation with Reality in the Philippines - Andrew travels to the Philippines to confront his father, only to face the harsh truth about Modesto's lies and lack of a financial safety net. - A heated confrontation reveals deep emotional wounds and a fractured father-son relationship, with Modesto belittling Andrew and Andrew vowing not to be like his father. ### Scene 8: Andrew's New Beginning - Back in the U.S., Andrew seeks employment, leveraging his mixed heritage and fabricating stories about his father's success, mirroring Modesto's pattern of deceit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the dressmaker become a dressmaker instead of a doctor?

She became a dressmaker because her father told her that being a doctor was "no job for a woman."

What does the dressmaker teach Gianni?

The dressmaker teaches Gianni how to sew, understand fabrics, and Latin phrases.

What lesson does the scene with the family moving by themselves convey?

It conveys the values of hard work, self-sufficiency, and the importance of saving money.

What message does Modesto Cunanan instill in his son Andrew?

Modesto instills in Andrew that feeling special is crucial for success and that he should always strive to be special.

How does Modesto Cunanan describe his journey to success?

He describes it as a journey from the Philippines to the U.S., starting with small earnings and culminating in significant financial success through hard work and seizing opportunities.

What crisis does Andrew's family face?

The family faces a crisis when Modesto's fraudulent activities are exposed, leading to an FBI raid and the revelation that Modesto has left the family in financial ruin.

What does Andrew discover about his father in the Philippines?

Andrew discovers that his father's stories of success were lies, and there are no millions or financial safety net waiting for him.

How does Andrew's behavior at the end of the scene reflect his father's influence?

Andrew begins fabricating stories about his father's success, mirroring Modesto's pattern of deceit and ambition.

American Crime Story season 2 episode 8

Creator/Destroyer