Ok, I'm exaggerating slightly. It may not be one of the greatest shows ever made, but I ended up absolutely loving it and have rewatched the entire season at least once or twice a year since it came out.
I originally went into this show blind, expecting it to be a more serious, realistic interpretation about what may have happened following the real Lizzie Borden's acquittal. It wasn't. At all. At first I was annoyed, especially as a true crime buff who has long been interested in the actual Borden case. I'm pretty sure I even said to the person I was watching it with, "What the hell is this s***?!"
Then it started to grow on me.
There's nothing realistic about it. It's completely off the wall crazy, campy, bizarre and hilarious. And it's beautiful. A sideways glance or cutting Lizzie in line at the local hairdresser would be enough to get you offed. There's no safety in numbers either, she'll kill you all.
Christina Ricci is absolutely brilliant as a murderous psychopath who you also end up rooting for. She plays Lizzie as both ruthless and vulnerable. She treats murder and body disposal as you would stopping at the grocery store or gas station. Just a routine errand.
In order to fully appreciate this show you really have to go into it with the right mind frame. If you go into it expecting a serious attempt at historical fiction or a high brow psychological thriller, you'll probably be disappointed.
If you go into it for some slasher fun and essentially watching the better looking, classier version of Jason Voorhees add to her body count, you'll probably love it.