The Lizzie Borden Chronicles Episode 1 Review: If Youre Not Afraid Of Lizzie, You Havent Been Paying Attention (Season Premiere)

It seems the American public cant get enough of Lizzie Borden. Did she really "take an ax and give her mother 40 whacks and when she saw what she had done she gave her father 41"? She was after all acquitted of all charges. From what I have read of the Borden's home life, it seems Mr Borden was a strict disciplinarian. Both of his daughters lived in the home with Andrew and his second wife Abby. The girls were not allowed to date even though both were in their 30s (which in 1890s terms was definitely spinster territory). There have been suggestions that Andrew physically and sexually abused Lizzie and Emma.

Despite his frugality Andrew began giving money to members of Abby's family (which probably did not make his daughters happy). Abby's brother (John Morse) was also staying with the family at the time of the murders. Could he have been the killer? The family was very sick for several days leading up to the murders. Abby feared poison. Andrew had lots of enemies and was one of the most unpopular men in town. There was another ax murder near Fall River after the Bordens were killed. Could both events be the work of the same person?

This lays the framework for "The Lizzie Borden Chronicles" (which is an eight part miniseries airing on Lifetime). It stars Christina Ricci and Clea DuVall as sisters Lizzie and Emma Borden. If you missed the original Lifetime movie this is based upon, check out my review at Lizzie Borden Took An Axe. I really enjoyed the movie.

So Far Emma Seems To Be The Only Person Lizzie Truly Cares About

Episode 1 "Acts of Borden" begins in 1892 some four months after Lizzie was acquitted of the murder of her father and stepmother. The Borden sisters are in a tight spot. Their father was in debt to William Almy and now that debt has passed to the sisters. Their illegitimate brother William "Billy" shows up wanting a piece of the nonexistence fortune. The rest of Fall River shuns the women due to the horrific crime.

Billy continues to snoop around and discovers a box with a tiny skeleton in it. Had one of the girls given birth to a baby that was stillborn or possibly late murdered? If so, who was the father? Was it Andrew? Billy sees the skeleton as his ticket to riches. He tries to blackmail Lizzie and Emma but it doesnt work. Lizzie isnt taking any of his crap. She later visits him at night bringing alcohol (since he's a big old drunk).

Let The Snooping Commence

Elsewhere a stranger (Charles Siringo) arrives in town saying he has private business. He is later revealed to be s a Pinkerton detective intent on discovering the truth about the murders. He starts asking questions about town He interviews a teacher who taught Lizzie years ago. She has Alzheimer's so its difficult to determine what she remembers. She becomes upset at the mention of Lizzie. Charles later goes snooping at the old school and finds a room with dead animals suspended from ropes. Lots of flies are buzzing about. I have no idea what that's about.

Lizzy has been spying on William Almay (the man they are in debt to). She visits him at night acting like she's coming on to him. He tells her to leave. She takes a long hair pin and stabs him in the back of the neck. She then proceeds to beat the crap out of him. Uh, wont that be hard to explain in the morning? I would think she'd be the prime suspect. Just saying.

It's Not Fair To Look This Attractive While Killing People

The next morning Lizzie is sleeping and Emma goes to the barn. There she finds Billy hanging. Emma screams and Lizzie opens one eye in bed and smiles. For the record, that's two new kills for Lizzie (Billy and William). If she keeps up this pace, most of the population of Fall River will be dead by the end of the series.

Favorite Quotes:

Little girl: "I'm not afraid of you." Lizzie: Then you havent been paying attention."

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). If you're expecting an accurate examination of the events surrounding Lizzie Borden's life, look elsewhere. This is not for you. My guess is Lifetime is trying to do the same thing with "The Lizzie Borden Chronicles" that A&E did with "Bates Motel" (a show which I incidentally love). This is a tough bill to fill. Will Lizzie stack up? I'm not sure but I'm willing to give it a try.

Christina Ricci is excellent as always as the lead character. Can she breathe life into a script that need to accept that its camp (and then play it for all it's worth)? I hope so. The continuous flashbacks to Lizzie hacking her parents to death was a bit much though. Yes we get it. She killed them. No need to tell us 50 times. I found the modern music added a fun twist. Feel free to leave your thoughts about "The Lizzie Borden Chronicles" below.