‘Ash vs Evil Dead 3×01 – Family’ Review

It has been way too long since the last Ash vs Evil Dead, so I had high hopes for the start of season 3. The first episode not only brought the show back, but brought Ash (Bruce Campbell) a new member to his family, and maybe hints of the medieval past.

Ash vs Evil Dead Family

With Ash opening up his new hardware store (and sex emporium) with Pablo (Ray Santiago) things are looking good. That is until his wife, Candace Barr (Katrina Hobbs) turns up to tell him his daughter Brandy (Arielle Carver-O’Neill) is in danger. With Ruby (Lucy Lawless) back to her old tricks, and Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo) bringing Dalton (Lindsay Farris) to help in the fight, can Ash save the world and his daughter) from the Deadites?

One thing that I like about Ash vs Evil Dead is that it comes in 30-minute chunks, meaning that it doesn’t mess around. Sometimes this can restrict the show a little too much, but other times it creates a frenetic pace that keeps the gore and laughs going.

While we don’t get to see too much of Arielle Carver-O’Neill in this episode, she still manages to make an impact as Ash’s daughter. He also seems to take it quite well, though he has little time to accept the fact, as he fights off teenagers and a high school mascot. The fact he also finds his old drugs stash in the school is also a funny moment.

When looking at what Ruby is up to though, things get a little interesting. Dalton is a connection to what she is doing too. With hints back to Army of Darkness I can’t help but hope that we are taken back in time in this season. This may not happen though, but it is obvious that the story is going to be about time, and Ash’s part in the legacy of the Necronomicon.

The first episode of Ash vs Evil Dead does well to pull fans back into a show that has taken its time to get back on the screen. Introducing new characters can be a hard task, especially if they feel shoehorned into the action. Thankfully Brandy and Dalton don’t feel forced, and the well written story pokes at enough nostalgia to make sure fans feel right at home, especially with Dalton.

When it comes to Brandy, it is easy to see that she is going to be important this season. I won’t say too much about my theories of what she means for Ash (spoilers) but it is going to be important that she is kept alive. Hopefully Kelly can take her under her wing and teach her a few survival tips.

On the subject of Kelly, it is fair to say she steals the scenes she is in yet again. I’ve said in the past she is very much the female version of Ash, so it will be interesting to see if the writers try to turn Brandy more into that role. Whatever happens though, Dana DeLorenzo is going to be a badass and have her own place in the show. I really doubt they could even try to replace Kelly.

Thankfully for Ash vs Evil Dead, Family is a strong episode that sets the pace for the season well. The main story already feels in place, we already have the new members of Ash’s team and Ruby is back to her evil ways. The blood is flowing, and gore is covering the screen…what more do we need from the show?

Ash vs Evil Dead is available on Virgin Media video on Demand in the UK.

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