'Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story' Episode 3 Depicts Fictionalized Murders

The third episode of Ryan Murphy's "Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story" on Netflix, titled "Whack Job," presents a fictionalized account of Lizzie Borden's early life and a supposed precursor to the infamous double murder. The episode depicts Lizzie and her maid, Bridget Sullivan, committing a murder together on a woman named Bertha Manchester. This event, however, is a dramatic departure from historical records.

According to the episode's narrative, Bertha Manchester abuses Bridget, leading Lizzie to intervene. The two then allegedly practice their killing skills on an older woman, with Bridget learning from Mr. Borden that "old people’s bones are easier to chop apart." During the act, Bridget hesitates, prompting Lizzie to complete the murder. A Portuguese laborer is subsequently arrested for the crime, with Lizzie providing Bridget with an alibi. The episode further suggests a romantic relationship between Lizzie and Bridget, emphasizing their shared experiences of oppression.

However, historical accounts indicate that Bertha Manchester was a young woman and had no connection to the Borden family. Her murder occurred days before Lizzie Borden was to stand trial for the killings of her father and stepmother. The series' portrayal of this event as a practice run between Lizzie and Bridget is a fictional embellishment.

The episode also introduces Nance O’Neal, a theatrical actress, as a figure of feminine freedom and aspiration for Lizzie and her stepmother, Abby Borden. O’Neal’s character belittles Bridget, highlighting themes of social hierarchy and the desire for mastery over others. Additionally, the episode features John Morse, Andrew Borden’s late wife’s brother, seeking a business loan from Andrew. Their interaction reveals a bonding over weaponry, with Morse’s knives named after masculine qualities and Borden’s axes described as feminine, a symbolic representation of their fraught relationships.

Showrunner Ian Brennan appears to prioritize thematic exploration over strict historical accuracy. The series uses Lizzie Borden as an avatar to examine concepts of female trouble, unsettled sexuality, and the societal constraints placed upon women. The episode highlights the perceived harshness of women in Lizzie’s world, who inflict their own inadequacies on those beneath them, and the indifference of men who bond over weapons but offer little support to family. The narrative suggests Lizzie's desire to expand the feelings of freedom and beauty she experiences to the wider world, regardless of the violence it may entail.