Groovy! For this month’s installment of “TV Terrors” we revisit “Ash vs. Evil Dead“, the three-season television series that aired on the Starz Network from 2015 through 2018.
One of the most sobering moments of “Ash vs. Evil Dead” came in the original introduction by franchise star Bruce Campbell, who explained that the series was made because fans wouldn’t shut up. Indeed, fans had been asking for years for another adventure with Ashley Williams after Army of Darkness, and the team finally obliged in 2015. The climate was right for the return of the Evil Dead at the time as studios and television networks were investing in horror series. Developed by Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, and Tom Spezialy, Starz’s “Ash vs. Evil Dead” wasn’t just a dry run for fans. The series was a return to form for the Evil Dead series, one that never betrayed its source material despite being broadened for more general audiences.
Right down to the vicious gore and dark comedy, the Raimis and Bruce Campbell gave us what we wanted all along in a brisk episodic format with the short-lived “Ash vs. Evil Dead.”
Its just too bad ratings weren’t strong enough to garner more than three seasons.
“Ash vs. Evil Dead” is set somewhat after the events of Army of Darkness (even though it’s never explicitly stated for the audience). Ashley Williams, after all of his demon slaying, is still just a regular Joe Schmoe working a nine-to-five job at the “Value Stop” as a simple stock boy, alongside his friend and fan boy Pablo (Ray Santiago) and the object of Pablo’s affections, Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo).
Ash has seemingly done very little with his life since returning from 1300 AD at the end of Army of Darkness, and at the beginning of the series we see him living in a trailer and drinking alone in bars. As usual, Ash is more interested in picking up women. In an effort to impress his latest fling he introduces her to the Necronomicon and wouldn’t you know it? He accidentally unleashes “The Draft,” the demonic entity that soon begins possessing locals and turning them into Deadites. Left with no other choice but to clean up his mess, Ash must renounce his routine existence and become a hero once more by taking up arms and facing the demonic scum.
When they accidentally view firsthand what’s risen from hell, co-workers Pablo and Kelly decide to join Ash on his quest to save humanity.
What’s so excellent about “Ash vs. Evil Dead” is that it’s a return to form for the franchise that also expands on the mythos of the Deadites and the Necronomicon. The series doesn’t just repeat the same beats we saw in the first three films, this time offering up varieties in settings where the chaos ensues. The writers also introduce us to variations of the Deadites, all of whom vary in shape and size, but are absolutely horrifying (and ugly) to battle. There’s even a hilarious puppet version of Ash Williams introduced to us, named “Ashy Slashy, who we get to know all too well.
Bruce Campbell is as charismatic and hilarious as ever, playing the cocky anti-hero who is ill-prepared this time to battle the Deadites. The writers introduce two new heroes to the fold with the charming Pablo and Kelly, two budding badasses that vary wildly in personality and bring their own skills to the war. Ironically while they are there to play off of Ash and balance out his penchant for irresponsibility, they also are eventually developed to where they become horror heroes as well. Dana DeLorenzo and Ray Santiago are fantastic in their respective roles, playing two Deadite fighters that have come into their own by the time the series comes to a close.
Eventually the series evolves from Ash’s journey to a group effort yet it keeps a lot of the spirit that made the original Evil Dead movies so much fun. The franchise’s trademark dark comedy and vicious violence is maintained while the writers pay big tribute to the original movies. Time and time again we revisit The Evil Dead and Evil Dead II, with Ash and his crew even returning to the original cabin. Additionally, Ellen Sandweiss from the original Evil Dead returns as Ash’s ill-fated little sister Cheryl. We also get a firsthand glimpse at the dreaded “Draft,” which was always an unseen entity of doom in the films. The writers also delve into other facets like the mythical Kandarian Dagger, other Deadite hunters, and even Deadite offspring.
More exciting though is we get a glimpse into Ash’s unusual family as we’re introduced to his father Brock Williams (Lee Majors) in season two, and yes, his long lost daughter Brandy Barr, in season three. Season three is where the series really comes into its own as Ash is introduced to Brandy, as played by Arielle Carver-O’Neill. Barr is introduced as the unlikeliest of Ash Williams’ children living a normal life with her mom. But eventually the Deadites come knocking at her door, forcing Ash, Pablo, and Kelly to track her down and save her. She inevitably has no choice but to join in the fight with her father, even experiencing her own confrontations with the Deadites (in the excellent penultimate episode “Judgement Day”) in the process.
“Ash vs. Evil Dead” is loaded with so many surprises and entertaining twists, and lends a wider scope to Ash’s world that makes the series feel more like a line up of great Evil Dead shorts than an episodic premium cable TV show. Sadly, the fans didn’t really turn out for the series, and Starz decided to cancel “Ash vs. Evil Dead” after three seasons. They closed the show on a huge cliffhanger as Ash awakens to an apparent Deadite apocalypse and goes back into the fray alongside Brandy. It’s a shame the show couldn’t have gone even farther out beyond what we knew about the Deadites, as I think we could have seen some new wild variations.
There’s no real explanation for why viewers didn’t turn out for the series, especially after the huge demand all those years for Ash’s return. Despite a circulating petition, Bruce Campbell accepted the fate, explaining: “Ash vs. Evil Dead has been the ride of a lifetime. Ash Williams was the role of a lifetime. It was an honor to reunite with Evil Dead partners Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi to give our tireless fans another taste of the outrageous horror/comedy they demanded. I will always be grateful to Starz for the opportunity to revisit the franchise that launched our careers.”
“Ash vs. Evil Dead” was Campbell’s retirement from playing the character in the live action format, but the series was a great last hurrah for fans and horror buffs alike. We got three wildly different but utterly entertaining seasons that expanded The Evil Dead while also paying great respect to the groundwork Sam Raimi set. After the show ended, the series remained a favorite with fans and the universe has been thankfully kept alive with video games, comics, the much lauded 2013 remake, and the highly anticipated Evil Dead Rise. I think it’s safe to say we’re in good hands, and are going to be visiting the world of the Deadites again and again for a long time to come.
Is It On DVD/Blu-ray/Streaming? You can buy individual seasons or the complete series on Blu-ray for a great price, and you can stream the series on Starz, Netflix, Youtube, and Hulu. The Evil Dead movies are always readily available on streaming or on Blu-ray and DVD.
Horror and science fiction have always been a part of the television canvas, and constant attempts have been made over the years to produce classic entertainment. Some have fallen by the wayside, while others became mainstream phenomena. With “TV Terrors,” we take a look back at the many genre efforts from the 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s, exploring some shows that became cult classics, and others that sank into obscurity.
The post How “Ash vs. Evil Dead” Proved ‘Evil Dead’ Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving [TV Terrors] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.