Yes, you could say it only had three seasons on television, but I prefer to think of it as we horror fans had an “Evil Dead” series for three whole years. While Starz! Didn’t stick to their guns in the long run, we had a good run re-visiting Ashley Williams once again in his journey to bring down the deadites from hell and track down the necronomicon. “Ash vs. Evil Dead” is a stellar horror comedy series that didn’t shy away from anything that made the original movies so fantastic, and if you’re flexible, you’ll love how the writers even stretch the mythos for a wider scope and more interesting depth, as well as a new variety of deadites like a hand puppet, a high school mascot, and a cell phone.
Set years after “Army of Darkness,” Ash is still a blue collar working man working for a house wares shop. Still a horn dog with an appetite for sex, he works alongside spunky Kelly, and Pablo, a young Hispanic man who holds an inexplicable admiration for Ash. After a night of drunken sex, Ash unleashes the deadites once again from the necronomicon. Now armed with his classic boom stick, he has to track down the book or the world is doomed. Along the way, Kelly and Pablo are pulled in to the fight for mankind, and even learn something about themselves, as well as their destiny in Ash’s battle against the army of darkness. He has to contend with a former enemy with a sacred knife, and a new breed of undead foes, to make things worse.
Written in half hour increments, “Ash vs. Evil Dead” is a stellar follow up and sequel that sticks true to so much of what we loved. There are creeps, inherent terror, massive F bombs, great physical comedy and immense gore. Creator Sam Raimi even enlists some of his old pals to appear in the show, including Ted Raimi, and some of the surviving cast members of “The Evil Dead.” All three seasons of “Ash vs. Evil Dead” vary wildly in tone and action, as the first season is spent more on catching up and establishing the wider universe of the necronomicon, while the second season leans heavier in to the films. The third season is a great send off focusing on the legacy Ash will leave, including his long lost daughter, and an army of demon fighters inspired by Ash. “Ash vs. Evil Dead” is consistently a treat for folks that have to have their taste of this universe when ever they can get it.
The writers even wisely build upon Ash, creating equally dynamic dysfunctional anti-heroes that help keep the series from repetition and monotony. Ray Santiago and Dana DeLorenzo are fantastic as fellow demon hunters who learn the ropes thanks to Ash manage to carver out their own niches. “Ash vs. Evil Dead” works best when it’s a buddy comedy, and Bruce Campbell builds fantastic chemistry with the pair of co-stars, both of whom are fascinating reflections of Ash, the hero. Kelly is very much the gung-ho, no holds barred, ballsy warrior that Ash tends to be, while Pablo is the insecure but humble individual beaming with potential to destroy evil. The writing constantly projects their similarities, and launches from those overtones, resulting in some truly great comedic and action set pieces.
There also some genuine characterization that takes ensues, allowing for some truly empathetic and exciting heroes that help Ash carry the torch for a new generation. Lucy Lawless also comes in to her own as Ruby, the nemesis of the group, who arrives with her own intentions and emphasizes a lot of the vaguer elements of the necromonicon mythology. “Ash vs. Evil Dead” watches like numerous sequels of “The Evil Dead” movie series, and Sam Raimi and co. approach every episode like it’s their last. From out of that sentiment comes a raucous, fun, and gory continuation of Ashley Williams’ battle against evil and the forces of darkness.
Just in time for Halloween, the Collection includes carry overs from the season sets and there’s even a Digital Copy of the complete collection for consumers averse to physical media. There’s “Inside the World of Ash,” “How to Kill a Deadite,” and “Best of Ash” followed by a pair of audio commentaries. The season two BD features a first look featurette as well as “Inside the World of Ash vs Evil Dead,” “Up Your Ash,” “Women Who Kick Ash,” “Puppets Are Cute,” “Dawn of the Spawn,” “Bringing Henrietta Back,” “The Delta,” “How to Kill a Deadite,” and “Fatality Mash-Up.” There are more audio commentaries from the cast and crew. The season three BD features a “Season Overview,” “Inside the World of Ash vs. Evil Dead,” and finally audio commentaries from the cast and crew.