✨ Let’s get into it ✨
⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
Ryan Murphy is serving pure chaos by adding vintage vibrators to his new Lizzie Borden series. Even though the tech is a total historical anachronism, it perfectly sets the tone for this messy, unapologetic, and super dramatic take on the infamous case.
📑 Quick Jump
Ryan Murphy is officially bringing the chaos back with the newest installment of his Monster anthology, The Lizzie Borden Story. This season dives into the infamous 1892 case involving 32-year-old Lizzie Borden (played by Ella Beatty), who was acquitted of murdering her father and stepmother despite everyone being convinced she did it. But because it’s a Murphy production, we aren’t just getting a dry history lesson; we are getting all the salacious details, including some very questionable 19th-century tech.
The Veedee Era
In the first two episodes, viewers were served a total curveball in the form of a vintage sex toy called the Veedee. It’s a mechanical vibrator that requires actual manual labor since this was long before USB charging existed. While it looks suspiciously like a dildo—a fact Vanity Fair pointed out—it was actually marketed as a medical tool. According to the Science Museum in the UK, these German-made devices claimed to treat everything from head colds to gout through “curative vibration.” In the show, the device belongs to the Bordens’ maid, Bridget Sullivan, played by Vicky Krieps. “The way Ryan thought of it, she’s almost like a Mary Poppins that comes out of nowhere,” Krieps told Vanity Fair about Sullivan.
💫 “The way Ryan thought of it, she's almost like a Mary Poppins that comes out of nowhere,” Krieps told Vanity Fair about Sullivan.
Historical Liberties
The inclusion of the Veedee definitely leans into the messy, unapologetic vibe Murphy is aiming for. He told Vanity Fair that this project is “women-driven, feminist, lesbian, dirty, unapologetic,” which explains the heavy sapphic undertones between Borden and Sullivan. Even though there is no historical evidence of a romantic affair or proof that Lizzie was a lesbian, the show isn’t shy about playing with those themes.
However, we have to talk about the historical accuracy here, because things get a little blurry. The Science Museum notes that the Veedee was manufactured between 1901 and 1930, which means it didn’t even exist during the actual Borden murders in 1892. While vibrators were starting to emerge around that time, the specific model shown is a total anachronism. It’s giving peak Ryan Murphy: high drama, questionable timelines, but absolutely impossible to look away from.
Do you prefer true crime shows to stick strictly to the facts, or are you here for the dramatic liberties?
❓ People Also Ask
What is a Veedee and how was it used in the 19th century?
A Veedee is a mechanical vintage vibrator that functions through manual labor rather than electrical charging. While the device resembles a modern sex toy, it was historically marketed as a legitimate medical tool used for various health purposes. German manufacturers claimed that the device could treat a wide range of ailments, including gout and common head colds, through the application of curative vibration. In the new Ryan Murphy series, the device is featured as a property belonging to the Borden family's maid, Bridget Sullivan.
Why is the inclusion of the Veedee in The Lizzie Borden Story considered historically inaccurate?
The Veedee is considered an anachronism because its manufacturing dates do not align with the timeline of the Lizzie Borden murders. Although the infamous crimes took place in 1892, historical records from the Science Museum indicate that the Veedee was not actually produced until between 1901 and 1930. While other types of vibrators were beginning to emerge during the late 19th century, this specific model did not exist during the era depicted in the show, representing a creative liberty taken by the production.
How does Ryan Murphy describe the themes of his new Lizzie Borden series?
Ryan Murphy describes the upcoming installment of his Monster anthology as a women-driven, feminist, and unapologetic production. The series aims to move beyond a standard history lesson by incorporating salacious details and heavy sapphic undertones. Although there is no historical evidence to prove that Lizzie Borden was a lesbian or involved in a romantic affair with her maid, Murphy chooses to explore these themes to create a dirty and high-drama viewing experience that leans into provocative storytelling.
Who plays the character of Bridget Sullivan in the new Monster series?
Actress Vicky Krieps portrays the character of Bridget Sullivan, the maid for the Borden family, in the latest season of the Monster anthology. Krieps has described the character's role in the production as being somewhat similar to a Mary Poppins figure who appears unexpectedly. The character's presence in the show is central to the series' exploration of complex relationships, as the narrative highlights the intense and provocative connection between Sullivan and the central figure, Lizzie Borden.
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📰 Source: Mashable