Tonight FX kicks off the second installment of it’s award-winning American Crime Story series, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. This season the series is based on Maureen Orth’s book “Vulgar Favors”, and follows the events of the brutal 1997 murder of international fashion icon Gianni Versace (Edgar Ramirez, Bright, Carlos) in front of his Miami Beach mansion, at the hands of deranged psychopath Andrew Cunanan (Darren Criss, Glee). The limited series takes a look at the manhunt for Cunanan—which actually started long before he claimed his fifth victim—and the cultural biases that allowed his killing spree to go on for so long. The series also stars Penélope Cruz as Gianni’s sister Donatella, and Ricky Martin as Gianni’s longtime boyfriend Antonio D’Amico, as well Judith Light (Transparent), Mike Farrell (M*A*S*H), Dascha Polanco, Max Greenfield (New Girl), Finn Wittrock (American Horror Story: Freak Show), Cody Fern, and Jon Jon Briones.

While I was extremely familiar with the details of the O.J. Simpson case portrayed in the show’s first season, I don’t really know anything about the Versace murder, so I look forward to some unexpected twists and turns this season. Tonight’s premiere is really well done, opening with operatic-like recreation of the murder, before jumping back to 1990 where we see Cunanan first meet Gianni, followed by the first glimpse into investigation of the murder. I expect that over the course of the season, we will learn more about what led Cunanan to go on his killing spree, while also seeing how he was ultimately apprehended. I was extremely impressed by Darren Criss’ portrayal of this psychopath. Cunanan is a poor con-man who is constantly making up stories about himself, his family, and his wealth. While he comes off as a pompous ass at times, he somehow still manages to win people over, and weasels his way into exclusive invite-only situations. There is one moment in tonight’s premiere where I was really blown away by Darren Criss’ performance—he manages to convey Cunanan’s complete lack of emotion, empathy and any sorrow or guilt for what he has done, with one simple gesture. I am really looking forward to seeing more of Criss’ performance, learning more about Cunanan’s motives, and seeing how the manhunt plays out.

In tonight’s premiere, “The Man Who Would Be Vogue”, the eyes of the world turn to Miami Beach, Fla., following the murder of fashion designer Gianni Versace.

Tonight I’ll also be watching/recording The Goldbergs, Modern Family, American Housewife, Match Game, The Amazing Race, The Blacklist, The X-Files, 9-1-1, Riverdale, Corporate, The Magicians, Happy!, and The Librarians.

For additional suggestions on what to check out tonight, including 9-1-1, check out the If We Controlled Your Remote… 1/17/18 post at TVisMyPacifier.com.