American Gigolo Ending Explained, American Gigolo Season Finale Recap
by Hemalatha R | Updated Mar 15, 2023
American Gigolo
American Gigolo, a neo-noir crime drama television series developed by David Hollander, premiered on Showtime on September 11, 2022. The show was based on the 1980 film of the same name, written and directed by Paul Schrader, and starred Jon Bernthal as Julian Kaye, the protagonist of the original film. The series also featured Gretchen Mol, Lizzie Brocheré, Gabriel LaBelle, Leland Orser, and Rosie O'Donnell in supporting roles. The show's premise centres around Kaye, who is exonerated 15 years after being arrested for murder and is struggling to find his footing in the modern-day Los Angeles sex industry. Kaye seeks to uncover the truth about the frame that sent him to prison all those years ago while trying to reconnect with his one true love, Michelle. Despite the promising premise and star-studded cast, the show's run was short-lived, as it was cancelled after just one season.
The cancellation of American Gigolo came as a surprise to many viewers, who had high expectations for the show. The series received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its performances and dark tone, while others criticized its convoluted plot and lack of character development. Despite the cancellation, many fans of the original film and Jon Bernthal's portrayal of Kaye were left disappointed and hoping for a potential revival. The show's cancellation also came as a blow to Showtime, which has struggled to find a hit series in recent years. In conclusion, American Gigolo was a short-lived television series that failed to live up to its potential. While it had a promising premise and a talented cast, it ultimately failed to capture the attention of viewers and critics alike. Despite its cancellation, the show may still have a loyal fan base that is hopeful for a potential revival or continuation of the story in some form.
American Gigolo's Ending Explained
In the eighth episode of "American Gigolo," Julian confronts Lorenzo about his involvement in Janet Holmes' murder. Lorenzo claims to know nothing, which infuriates Julian. He tells Lorenzo and Isabelle to stay away from him and storms off. Julian is overwhelmed by the new information that he has received, all of which seems to lead back to Isabelle and Olga. It is difficult for Julian to accept that the people he worked for could have framed him for the murder that landed him in prison for so many years.
As Julian is leaving, he calls Sunday to discuss the text he sent her regarding the information he found about Janet Holmes from Gail St. John. Sunday informs him that Eduard Panish, Richard Stratton's lawyer, has just been arrested while trying to leave town with $3 million in cash. The money is likely for a ransom, but Julian does not know Panish. Sunday is still unsure if Panish knows Colin's whereabouts. Julian arrives at Richard and Michelle's home, where they are discussing Colin, the only link that connects them. Two guards bring Julian in as a visitor. McGregor receives a surprise visit from Isabelle, who sits in front of Colin and remarks on how much he looks like Julian.
It is likely that Julian has come to speak with Richard and Michelle about Colin and to reveal everything he knows about Olga and Isabelle. Panish may confess to her on Sunday about his involvement in Elizabeth Shannonhouse's murder and how Richard Stratton sent him after her. Isabelle seems to have realised that McGregor was responsible for kidnapping Julian's child based on Lorenzo's description of him. Isabelle's subsequent call to McGregor implies that she has known him for a long time. The episode suggests that Isabelle's jealousy towards Michelle for winning Julian's love may be the driving force behind the darkness surrounding the deaths of Janet Holmes and possibly Olga. The eighth episode of "American Gigolo" sheds light on the events leading up to Janet Holmes' murder and the people involved.
American Gigolo Season Finale Recap
The episode begins with Isabelle trying to convince Julian to come back to her, but he makes it clear that she was never his home. Feeling disrespected, Isabelle decides to leave, but not before warning Julian not to talk to the cops, as it could be harmful to her business. Detective Sunday, on the other hand, is investigating the Lisa Beck case and getting printouts of the pictures she took from Julian's apartment. She also receives a visit from Paloma, who reminds her of their date, but Sunday explains that she is too busy with the case to make any commitments.
Julian is in his room, reimagining the horrific moment when he found Lisa dead in Olga's mansion as a young boy. Meanwhile, Michelle takes off her wig and looks at herself in the mirror, trying to come face-to-face with the present and not live in the past. Richard blames her for using the lavish life he provided her with, but Michelle claims that it was nothing more than a prison to give their son a better life. Julian and Lizzy are returning from the beach when they see Lorenzo waiting for him near his house.
Julian tells Lorenzo about his 15-year-old son, who is on the run and is under suspicion for the murder of a woman he had an affair with. He also tells Lorenzo that he saw the kid being taken by an old man with a tattoo on his hand in an old red BMW. Eduard calls McGregor and asks him for the location where he needs to deliver the $3 million ransom. McGregor and Colin are in a motel somewhere, with Colin having his hands and legs tied up and gagged. From McGregor's behaviour, it seems that he doesn't have a personal grudge in the matter, and all that matters to him is the money that is coming his way.
Ernie comes into Sunday's office and hands her the new intel he found. As she runs through the page, she is taken aback. She immediately dials Julian and asks him to come to the police station right away. Julian arrives and finds out that Lisa Beck's sister is Janet Beck, who later changed her name to Janet Holmes, the very woman whose death led Julian to spend 15 years in prison. Sunday shows Julian Janet's phone records from a week before she died. It seems that he knows some of the people Janet spoke to.
Some worked for Olga, while others were Olga's clients. Of all the people he knows, he points out a woman, Gail St. John, who was his client. He decides to go and talk to the woman. Lorenzo tells Isabelle about Julian and his son with the Stratton woman. The kid is missing, and Julian recently saw him getting abducted by a man with a tattoo on his hand in a red BMW. She listens to Lorenzo and then tells him to look after some new clients. Isabelle recalls the time when, as a kid, she saw Lisa Beck dead in the bathtub, and McGregor appeared and gently made her sit.
He then took her shoes, which had their outsoles covered in blood, and left. Isabelle calls a person and asks, "Where are you?" The person apparently has something she wants. Eduard has arrived at McGregor's location to deliver the ransom, but while in his car, he receives a voicemail from the LAPD, who want him to come and confirm some details about the Elizabeth Shannonhouse murder case. After thinking for a few moments, he leaves the spot. It is not clear where he is headed, but it is likely that he is leaving town with the money in fear of the cops.
American Gigolo Ending Explained - FAQs
American Gigolo is an American neo-noir crime drama television series developed by David Hollander. It is based on the 1980 film of the same name written and directed by Paul Schrader.
The series stars Jon Bernthal as Julian Kaye, the protagonist of the original film, alongside Gretchen Mol, Lizzie Brocheré, Gabriel LaBelle, Leland Orser, and Rosie O'Donnell.
American Gigolo premiered on Showtime on September 11, 2022
Unfortunately, American Gigolo was canceled after one season. The series was canceled in January 2023.
The premise of American Gigolo revolves around Julian Kaye, who is exonerated 15 years after being arrested for murder and struggling to find his footing in the modern-day Los Angeles sex industry. He seeks the truth about the frame that sent him to prison all those years ago, and hopes to reconnect with his one true love, Michelle.