The Season Two Premiere Of Ash Vs. Evil Dead Doesn’t Miss A Beat Delivering What Fans Loved From Season One
The finale of season one of Ash vs. Evil Dead ended with Ash making the decision to cash out while he was ahead and hang up his boomstick for good. This, of course, was never going to last. Like Michael Corleone in The Godfather Trilogy, just when Ash thinks he’s out of the game, those pesky Deadites keep pulling him back in!
Season two of Ash vs. Evil Dead continues what we were introduced to in the first season. Bruce Campbell still brings the laughs as the reluctant, braggartly hero, Ash Williams. Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo) provides plenty of snarky asides as the eternal cynic, never completely impressed by Ash. Finally, the team is rounded out by kind-hearted Pablo (Ray Santiago) who still believes in Ash despite making a rather cowardly decision at the end of season one.
The episode begins on a happy note, with the three of them seemingly free of their undead tormentors, but by the end of the episode, completely covered in blood.
When we last left Ash and his gang of Deadite killers, Ash had made a pact with the mysterious Ruby so the underworld would finally leave him and his friends alone for once. Although this is clearly not the most heroic move, fans of the Evil Dead franchise know this is typical Ash behavior. It won’t be long before he has a change of heart or trouble comes knocking on his door again.
This is exactly what happens.
The show begins with Ruby fending off the same creepy, bald kids from The Grudge she loved from season one. They’re all grown up now and kind of resemble evil, demonic versions of the Blue Man Group. Turns out her spawn have decided to turn on her and have their eyes set on the Necronomicon. Reluctantly, she is forced to use the book to call on Ash and break their peace agreement.
Meanwhile, Ash and Friends are enjoying the luxury of cheap beer wishes and margarita dreams at their newly owned cantina. Ash has become sort of a legend in Jacksonville, where he routinely showers women with keg mist and challenges the men to backyard shooting contests. As thanks for helping him defeat the Deadites, he’s employed Kelly and Pablo as servers. The two still question whether making a deal with Ruby was the best decision, but both at least agree that serving tacos is better than fighting the undead.
Things change for the worst when a vortex opens above the bar and the undead descend upon them once more. The creatures relentlessly mock Ash as they attack, singing a song and calling him Ashey Slashy. After the ordeal, Ash reveals that this is a song from his past, sung by the inhabitants of his hometown in Michigan. Ash and his friends decide to head back to Michigan in search of answers.
Season two promises some backstory into Ash’s life that we didn’t get in the films. Although his character is well known to fans, not much information is given about his family life or childhood. When Ash returns to Michigan, we are introduced to his father (played by a special guest) who is the spitting image of him. We also learn that his reputation in his hometown is forever tarnished. At home, he is known as Ashy Slashy, the guy who murdered all of his friends in the cabin from the first two Evil Dead films. It’s a sad story that reminds audiences that despite Ash’s shortcomings he’s still a guy who was put through an incredible ordeal which most likely scarred him for life.
Meanwhile, Pablo seems to be suffering from hallucinations from his time possessed by the cover of the Necronomicon. Throughout the episode, he’s plagued by visions that end up helping the crew by guiding them to Ruby’s whereabouts. This doesn’t appear to be the only side effect, as shown in one scene when one of Ruby’s demon kids seems to unaware of Pablo’s presence even though he’s standing right in front of it.
Last season we witnessed Ruby exhibit demonic forces along with claiming she was the author of the Necronomicon. This season seems to to be gearing us up for a team up between Ash and Ruby. Although Ruby still seems to care about her children, she’s in a real bind with them. Their lust for possession of the Necronomicon seems far stronger than the bond between mother and child. They spend the entire episode and relentlessly pursuing her, with no sign of showing mercy. It’s a good change for fans of Lucy Lawless since season one seemed to almost promise an alliance between her and Ash.
The season two premiere of Ash vs Evil Dead continues to look very promising for fans of the film as well as an easy to follow series for those not familiar with the franchise. Fans should be pleased to find out some backstory on their favorite anti-hero as well as get a good serving of all the bloody action and mayhem the franchise is known for.
