Ash vs. Evil Dead
Season 2
Starring
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes10
Release
Original networkStarz
Original releaseOctober 2 (2016-10-02) –
December 11, 2016 (2016-12-11)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 1
Next →
Season 3
List of episodes

The second season of the American action-horror series Ash vs. Evil Dead, created by Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, and Tom Spezialy, premiered on Starz on October 2, 2016 (following an online premiere on September 27, 2016), and concluded on December 11, 2016. The season consists of 10 episodes. The series is based on the Evil Dead film franchise.

The series serves as a sequel to Army of Darkness, and stars Bruce Campbell reprising his role as the titular character, alongside Ray Santiago, Dana DeLorenzo, and Lucy Lawless reprising their roles from the first season along with an all-new ensemble cast. The season received generally positive reviews from critics, resulting in a renewal for a third season.[1]

Cast and characters

See also: List of Evil Dead characters

Main

Recurring

Special guests

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateUS viewers
(millions)
111"Home"Rick JacobsonCraig DiGregorioSeptember 27, 2016 (2016-09-27) (online)[4]
October 2, 2016 (2016-10-02) (broadcast)		0.436[5]
While enjoying his time at Jacksonville, Ash is forced to come out of retirement after being attacked by Deadites summoned by Ruby. Ash (still in possession of the Kandarian Dagger), Pablo and Kelly return to Ash's hometown in Elk Grove, Michigan, where they meet up with his father, Brock (Lee Majors), who criticizes him for running away from the town after the events that transpired 30 years ago. While searching around town for Ruby, Ash encounters his former love, Linda Bates, who is married to the town's sheriff, Thomas Emery. Emery mocks Ash, and promises to take him in when he can. Pablo receives a vision, prompting the gang to head to the town's crematorium, where Ash finds an injured Ruby, claiming that her children have betrayed her, forcing her to hide the Necronomicon. After saving her from her three demon children, Ash and Ruby form a temporary alliance.
122"The Morgue"Tony TilseCameron WelshOctober 9, 2016 (2016-10-09)0.333[6]
Ruby reveals to the group that she hid the Necronomicon inside a corpse at the town morgue, which prompts Ash and Kelly to go retrieve it, while Pablo stays with her at Brock's house in order to find out about his visions. While attempting to get the book, Ash discovers that his old high school P.E. teacher, who is dating Brock, turns out to have been dead and is now a Deadite. Ash returns home just in time to stop the Deadite from raising hell. Meanwhile, Pablo's grasp on reality is tested when Ruby reveals that the Necronomicon has gifted him with premonitions, a detail seen in one from which Ruby deduces that her ex-husband, Baal, is the reason behind why all of her children have turned on her. At the end, Ash's car, the Delta, is stolen by two teenagers, while still carrying the Necronomicon in it.
133"Last Call"Tony TilseNoelle ValdiviaOctober 16, 2016 (2016-10-16)0.321[7]
In an attempt to lure the teenagers who stole his car to his place, Ash and his best buddy, Chet, devise a plan to throw a party at the bar, lure the thieves in, and get the Delta and the Necronomicon back. The plan backfires, however, as one of the teenagers' friends accidentally reads from the Necronomicon, allowing evil to possess her as well as the Delta, leading to a mass killing spree. The possessed teenager, Amber, heads to Ash's party, where she almost kills Brock before Ash intervenes. Brock realizes the truth about his son and shows his pride, but before he could reveal a secret to Ash, he is run over by the Delta. Meanwhile, Ruby attempts to convince Kelly that she is the one Ruby was supposed to be looking for.
144"DUI"M. J. BassettIvan RaimiOctober 23, 2016 (2016-10-23)0.274[8]
The possessed Delta continues its rampage holding one of the teenagers, Lacey, hostage. It comes back and kidnaps Pablo as well. Ash takes Chet in tow, driving his car and pursues the Delta. Meanwhile, Ruby and Kelly head back to Ash's trailer to pick up weapons, where Ruby reveals that Baal can get into an individual's mind and manipulate them, and that she has been manipulated before. While they go back to the crematorium and kill the rest of her spawn, Ash continues chasing down Pablo, and Chet drops him off at an abandoned Demolition derby park. The Delta lets go of Pablo and Lacey, facing Ash by itself. While Pablo tries to deface the book, it tells him to read a passage. Ash stops the Delta, and they throw the book into the trunk of the car, a portal to hell, seemingly destroying it. Ruby, sensing the book's disappearance, runs back along with Kelly. A demon jumps out of the trunk at the end.
155"Confinement"M. J. BassettWilliam BromellOctober 30, 2016 (2016-10-30)0.274[9]
Baal arrives on Earth and seduces a police officer before killing her and removing her skin. Ash is arrested for Amber's murder but is freed from his cell by Baal, disguised as the police officer. Pablo, Kelly and Ruby arrive at the police station to free Ash, while Lacey and Linda come looking for Sheriff Emery. Before going to look for the Kandarian Dagger, Ruby warns the group of Baal's ability to disguise himself by wearing peoples' skin, which sets the group on edge as they come to realise that any one of them could be Baal. Pablo reveals a strange rash to Ash and Kelly. Seeing Pablo's condition worsen, Emery believes that he is Baal, leading him to pull out his gun and threaten the group. Ruby returns with Ash's weapons and Ash defeats the reanimated flesh of a fallen police officer. On examining Pablo's rash, Ruby declares that he might be their only chance to stop Baal.
166"Trapped Inside"Mark BeesleyJames E. EaganNovember 6, 2016 (2016-11-06)0.330[10]
Ash, Kelly, Ruby, Linda and Lacey take Pablo back to Ash's house, where Ruby reveals that if they wait long enough, the required spell to send Baal back to hell will emerge on Pablo's skin. Baal uses his powers to convince Emery to lead a mob of Elk Grove townspeople to capture Ash. As the townspeople surround Ash's house, Ash hears a noise coming from Cheryl's room. Inside he sees Chet, who had come to warn him about the mob. The required spell emerges from Pablo's skin, while Ruby reveals to Kelly that birthing her demon "children" cost her her immortality. A Deadite Cheryl appears and fights Ash, killing Chet in the process. The fight is taken outside, where the townspeople are surprised to see Cheryl, seemingly alive. Ash kills her and reveals her to be a Deadite, thus convincing the people that he is not a murderer. Ash is then knocked out by Baal.
177"Delusion"Mark BeesleyHank ChiltonNovember 13, 2016 (2016-11-13)0.337[11]
Ash wakes up from a nightmare only to find himself in an asylum, where a man calling himself Doctor Peacock claims that Ash has been locked up since the murder of his friends at the cabin, and that everything about the Necronomicon was a delusion he made up to deny responsibility for his actions. Ash realizes that Peacock is none other than Baal, who is trying to break his mind through an illusion. Within the illusion he sees Ruby as a nurse, Kelly as a fellow inmate, and Pablo as an orderly. Ash attempts to fight through the illusions, but fails time after time. After meeting with Linda and seeing Ruby, Pablo and Kelly arrive outside the asylum, Ash then seemingly agrees to follow Baal's command to destroy the Necronomicon.
188"Ashy Slashy"Tony TilseSuzanne Keilly and Aaron LamNovember 20, 2016 (2016-11-20)0.237[12]
Ruby, Pablo and Kelly enter the asylum and encounter Sheriff Emery, who got Linda to help him capture Ash in exchange for Lacey's freedom from Baal. Lacey, however, turns up as a Deadite and murders Emery, and is later killed by Kelly. Ruby and Pablo encounter Ash, who then takes Pablo to Baal. Kelly later meets up with Linda, who learns about the deaths of both her husband and daughter. She then resolves to take down Baal for good. They reach Pablo, where Ash reveals that he was never broken by Baal, and it was all part of his plan to get Pablo and Baal in the same room. Pablo then recites the incantation to send Baal back to Hell, but before disappearing, Baal slashes Pablo in the stomach, cutting him in half.
199"Home Again"Rick JacobsonJennifer Ames & Steve TurnerDecember 4, 2016 (2016-12-04)0.266[13]
Distraught over the loss of Pablo, Ash and the gang attempt to travel back in time to ensure that young Ash will never see the Necronomicon. They return to the year 1982, before young Ash went to the cabin. As they travel to the woods, the gang is chased down by the Kandarian Demon, even though no one had read from the book yet. Ruby and Kelly are separated from Ash in the escape, who runs into the cabin. After a brief altercation with an evil foetus that attempts to infect Ash from his leg, Ash hears a faint voice crying for help from the cellar. He finds the voice to be coming from Henrietta Knowby, who claims to have been trapped and tortured here by her husband. While initially not believing her, Ash eventually discovers as Professor Knowby returns with one of his students, Tanya, who he plans to use to transfer the Kandarian Demon from within Henrietta onto her. Ash then frees Henrietta, just as he realizes he's been tricked, allowing her to run amok. In the midst of the chaos, Professor Knowby escapes with the Necronomicon and locks Ash and Tanya down in the cellar with Henrietta. Meanwhile, Ruby and Kelly are attacked by possessed trees, as well as being followed by a mysterious being.
2010"Second Coming"Rick JacobsonLuke KalteuxDecember 11, 2016 (2016-12-11)0.269[14]
As Professor Knowby attempts to escape the cabin, he is killed by the Ruby of year 1982, who then retrieves the Necronomicon. Henrietta murders Tanya, and battles Ash, but is ultimately defeated. As Ash reunites with present-day Ruby and Kelly, past Ruby learns of their involvement and then kills present-day Ruby, while Ash and Kelly attempt to escape. The effects of the timeline alteration take place as Ash notices the return of his missing right hand, and Pablo seemingly returning to life. However, he turns out to be Baal, who has secretly taken over Pablo's corpse rather than being banished and reveals they are not actually in the direct past; but rather an alternate timeline where only Knowby found the book. Baal and the alternate Ruby take Ash and Kelly back to the cabin, where they begin to perform rituals to give birth to their spawns. Ash proposes a fair fight between him and Baal, without the use of any magic or weapon. Baal gains the upper hand by using his powers to change form into Chet, Cheryl and Brock, tricking Ash and removing his right hand once more. As Baal prepares to execute Ash, however, he is outwitted and defeated. As the cabin begins to burn down and crumble, Baal, Ruby, their spawns, and the Necronomicon are seemingly banished to the Neitherworld (Hell) as part of the deal, while Pablo is brought back to life. Ash and his friends returns to their timeline, where Elk Grove reveres him as a hero, while the alternate Ruby (somehow having escaped her timeline) watches him from afar. In a post-credit scene, the Necronomicon is picked up by an unknown traveler from the remains of the cabin.

Reception

Critical response

The second season has received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a score of 100%, based on 17 reviews, with an average rating of 8.06/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Ash vs. Evil Dead's sophomore season proves the show is in command of its characters and tone, turning up the gore, fun, and energy to deliver even more grisly, action-packed thrills and laughs."[15] On Metacritic, the season has a rating of 82 out of 100, based on 5 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[16]

Accolades

Year Association Category Nominee(s) Result
2016 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards[17] Best Television Series Ash vs Evil Dead Won
Best Actor on Television Bruce Campbell Won
Best Supporting Actress on Television Dana DeLorenzo Nominated
Saturn Awards Best Horror Television Series Ash vs Evil Dead Nominated
Best Actor on Television Bruce Campbell Won
Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards Best TV Presentation Ash vs Evil Dead (Episode: "Brujo") Won[18]
2017 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards[19] Best TV Series Ash vs Evil Dead Nominated
Best TV Actor Bruce Campbell Won
Best TV Supporting Actor Ray Santiago Nominated
Best TV Supporting Actress Dana DeLorenzo Nominated
Best TV SFX Roger Murray Won
Saturn Awards[20][21] Best Horror Television Series Ash vs Evil Dead Nominated
Best Actor on a Television Series Bruce Campbell Nominated
Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series Lee Majors Nominated

Home media

The second season was released on Blu-ray and DVD in the fall of 2017 by Lionsgate Home Entertainment,[22] and as part of a complete collection with all three seasons on October 16, 2018.[23]

References

  1. ^ "Ash vs. The Evil Dead- WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  2. ^ Petski, Denise (February 10, 2016). "'Ash Vs Evil Dead' Adds Lee Majors & Ted Raimi To Season 2 Cast On Starz". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 21, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  3. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 24, 2016). "Lee Majors Makes His Comic-Con Debut At 'Ash Vs Evil Dead' Panel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  4. ^ Eddy, Cheryl (September 27, 2016). "How to Catch an Early Viewing of the Ash vs Evil Dead Season Two Premiere". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on September 28, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  5. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 4, 2016). "Updated: Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.2.2016". Showbuzzdaily. Archived from the original on October 4, 2016. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
  6. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 11, 2016). "Updated: Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.9.2016". Showbuzzdaily. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  7. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 18, 2016). "Updated: Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.16.2016". Showbuzzdaily. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
  8. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (October 25, 2016). "Updated: Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.23.2016". Showbuzzdaily. Archived from the original on October 26, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
  9. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 1, 2016). "Updated: Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 10.30.2016". Showbuzzdaily. Archived from the original on November 2, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
  10. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 8, 2016). "Updated: Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.7.2016". Showbuzzdaily. Archived from the original on November 8, 2016. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  11. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 15, 2016). "Updated: Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.13.2016". Showbuzzdaily. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  12. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (November 22, 2016). "Updated: Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 11.20.2016". Showbuzzdaily. Archived from the original on November 22, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  13. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 6, 2016). "Updated: Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.4.2016". Showbuzzdaily. Archived from the original on December 7, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2016.
  14. ^ Metcalf, Mitch (December 13, 2016). "Updated: Showbuzzdaily's Top 150 Sunday Cable Originals & Network Finals: 12.11.2016". Showbuzzdaily. Archived from the original on August 25, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
  15. ^ "Ash vs. Evil Dead: Season 2". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on November 27, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  16. ^ "Ash Vs. Evil Dead - Season 2". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 17, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  17. ^ "Never mind Oscar, here's the 2016 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Nominees Ballot!". Fangoria. January 14, 2016. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  18. ^ "Winners announced in the (Gasp!) 14th Annual Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards". RondoAward.com. February 17, 2016. Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  19. ^ "Never mind Oscar, here's the 2017 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Nominees Ballot!". Fangoria. Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
  20. ^ "The Academy of Science Fiction Fantasy and Horror Films". saturnawards.org. Archived from the original on June 30, 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  21. ^ McNary, Dave (March 15, 2018). "'Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  22. ^ "Ash Vs Evil Dead: The Complete Second Season". Amazon. October 23, 2017. Archived from the original on October 29, 2017. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  23. ^ Ash vs Evil Dead: The Complete Collection Blu-ray (Blu-ray + Digital), retrieved 2022-06-02

External links

Ash vs Evil Dead episodes
Evil Dead
Categories