Just ahead of the second season premiere, we predicted that the entire season would surpass the greatness that was the inaugural season.  A bold prediction to make based on a screening of the first two episodes, so we were correct? A resounding YES! Whereas the first season still managed to be a blast despite pacing issues and uncertainty on how to navigate character arcs, season 2 learned from past mistakes and emerged a stronger, more confident show.

Season 2 learned from past mistakes and emerged a stronger, more confident show.  

While the first season brought the Ghost Beaters team together and taught them how to function as a cohesive unit that played up their strengths, season 2 sought to highlight each member’s individuality and growth.  In the case of Bruce Campbell’s Ash, this season highlighted a lot of Ash’s childhood and history prior to that ill-fated trip the cabin by bringing him back to his roots.  With much of the season taking place in Ash’ hometown, we learned a lot about what shaped him into the plucky screw-up that he is today.  We were also reminded that most of those close to Ash don’t often survive their relationship.

Poor Pablo spent much of this season learning how to cope with the aftermath of last season’s Necronomicon merging.  Not only did he have to contend with some serious PTSD (birthing demon babies from your mouth will do that to you), but there were some physical side effects that left Pablo mostly relegated to the sideline for much of this season.  Despite his physical condition, he still managed to inch closer to that hero role that he so desperately wanted from the beginning, while breaking our hearts just a little along the way.

With Ash stuck in his past, and Pablo mostly out of commission, that left Dana DeLorenzo’s Kelly to step up for the team and keep them focused. And boy did she ever.  Kelly became the de facto badass of season 2. DeLorenzo brought the fire and wit in Kelly this season, masterfully matching Campbell’s comedic delivery the entire season.  While Campbell delivered many memorable one-liners last season, it was DeLorenzo who took the mantle this season.  Her take charge attitude, fierce determination, and desire to forge her own path made Kelly the Ghost Beaters MVP this season.

 Kelly became the de facto badass of season 2. DeLorenzo brought the fire and wit in Kelly this season, masterfully matching Campbell’s comedic delivery the entire season.

The pacing this season has been stellar. The narrative moved at a brisk pace, never dwelling on any particular plot point past its welcome. This season’s big bad, Baal, proved a worthy foe for our heroes, offering charisma and menace while raising the stakes just enough.

If there’s one flaw, though, in an otherwise near perfect season, it’s with the season finale.  Though the final two episodes of the season are once again set at the cabin, the writers did manage to avoid the story from feeling repetitive by exploring a major plot from the original franchise.  As nice as the fan service was, especially the inclusion of a fan favorite deadite, it ultimately left an unsatisfying finish for much of what this season had been building toward. The rush job to conclude character arcs and earlier foreshadowing either felt rushed or ignored.  There’s also a since of déjà vu by finale’s end.

With the exception of the finale’s misstep, the second season succeeds in every other department.  The gore, humor, and fan service far exceeds the inaugural season.  We get fantastic character growth, new layers to the Evil Dead mythology, and a worthy big bad.  There’s even new merchandise opportunities- don’t you dare try to convince me that we all don’t need the Ashy Slashy killer puppet introduced this season. We do, and luckily it looks like we’ll get one courtesy of NECA Toys next year.  Fans both new and old alike have much to enjoy with this series, and I can’t wait for season 3.ashvsevilds2