The Dark One (Ash vs Evil Dead)
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Episode 10
- "No More Mr. Nice Guy" by Alice Cooper
- "Back in Black" by AC/DC
| "The Dark One" | |
|---|---|
| Ash vs Evil Dead episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 10 |
| Directed by | Rick Jacobson |
| Written by | Craig DeGregorio |
| Featured music |
|
| Cinematography by | John Cavill |
| Editing by | Bryan Shaw |
| Original release date | January 2, 2016 |
| Running time | 37 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"The Dark One" is the tenth episode and first season finale of the American comedy horror television series Ash vs Evil Dead, which serves as a continuation of the Evil Dead trilogy. The episode was written by executive producer Craig DiGregorio, and directed by producer Rick Jacobson. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on January 2, 2016.
The series is set 30 years after the events of the Evil Dead trilogy, and follows Ash Williams, who now works at the "Value Stop" as a simple stock boy. Having spent his life not doing anything remarkable since the events of the trilogy, Ash will have to renounce his routine existence and become a hero once more by taking up arms and facing the titular Evil Dead. In the episode, Ash takes a final stand against Ruby, before she unleashes all evil on the world.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.508 million household viewers and gained a 0.21 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, making it the most watched episode of the series. The episode received critical acclaim, with critics praising the performances, directing, character development, action sequences, make-up and set-up for the next season.
As Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo) tries to take the mask off Pablo (Ray Santiago), Ash (Bruce Campbell) confronts Ruby (Lucy Lawless). The Deadite Amanda (Jill Marie Jones) appears, attacking Ash with his own chainsaw. After a struggle, he manages to kill the Deadite, but realizes that Ruby and the possessed Pablo have disappeared into the cellar.
Ash prepares to enter the cellar with Kelly and Heather (Samara Weaving). However, the Kandarian force pounds the cabin, causing Ash to fall into the cellar, which locks by itself. He finds himself back at his home trailer where he opened the Necronomicon while smoking marijuana, eventually finding Ruby. Ruby offers him his dream of making it to Jacksonville as a retirement plan as long as he does not interfere with her plans to conquer the world. Ash tries to shoot her but she sends him back to the reality. Back in the cabin, Kelly attempts to open the cellar with an axe, while Heather suffers hallucinations of bugs invading her body. The force then ejects Kelly out of the cabin, leaving Heather alone in the living room.
At the cellar, Ash watches as Ruby forces a possessed Pablo to cough up a fetus, which quickly transforms into a child. The child attacks Ash, who manages to kill him with his shotgun. He confronts Ruby, mortally wounding her with the shotgun. Before he can killer her, a possessed Pablo attacks Ash. Outside, Kelly hears as a terrified Heather is haunted by the cabin, physically torturing her before eventually killing her. Kelly decides to cover the cabin with gas, before engulfing it in flames. The doors eventually open, allowing Kelly to enter the cellar.
Ash's chainsaw runs out of gas, prompting the possessed Pablo to try to kill him with his own shotgun. Kelly arrives and fights Pablo, while Ruby chokes Ash. With a distraction, Ash seizes her dagger, which power is strong enough to kill her. He wants her to release Pablo from the mask's power, which she refuses to do. She once again offers her the Jacksonville offer, also willing to release Pablo if he stops interfering. Ash accepts the deal, and Pablo is now free from the mask's power, although Ash will keep her dagger.
Ash happily drives his car to Jacksonville, although Pablo and Kelly are scared about the implications of his deal with Ruby. The radio suddenly announces that massive sinkholes have started appearing over the city. Ash turns it off, before deciding to go out for dinner. The episode ends as a sinkhole appears behind the car.
Production
Development
The episode was written by executive producer Craig DiGregorio, and directed by producer Rick Jacobson. It was DiGregorio's first writing credit, and Jacobson's first directorial credit.[1]
