Bait (Ash vs Evil Dead)

Last updated
"Bait"
Ash vs Evil Dead episode
Episode no.Season 1
Episode 2
Directed by Michael J. Bassett
Written by Dominic Dierkes
Produced by
Featured music
Cinematography byJohn Cavill
Editing by Tom Eagles
Original release dateNovember 7, 2015 (2015-11-07)
Running time30 minutes
Guest appearances
  • Mimi Rogers as Suzy Maxwell
  • Damien Garvey as Mr. Roper
  • Phil Peleton as Kelly's Father
  • Andrew Grainger as Lieutenant Boyle
  • Jacque Drew as June
  • Joseph Wycoff as Phil
  • Zhi Wen Gong as Sketch Artist
Episode chronology
← Previous
"El Jefe"		Next →
"Books from Beyond"
List of episodes

"Bait" is the second episode 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 producer Dominic Dierkes, and directed by Michael J. Bassett. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on November 7, 2015.

Contents

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 and Pablo are forced to get Kelly to her father's house, where her deceased mother has appeared, alive.

According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.276 million household viewers and gained a 0.12 ratings share among adults aged 18–49. The episode received extremely positive reviews from critics, with critics praising the performances, action sequences, and humor.

Plot

Ash (Bruce Campbell) decides that he needs to visit Lionel Hawkins to translate the Necronomicon and stop the Deadites from returning. However, Kelly (Dana DeLorenzo) wants to save her father, who just got visited by her dead mother. When Ash refuses, Kelly abandons him and Pablo (Ray Santiago), taking the Necronomicon with her. Ash is forced to follow her along with Pablo, taking his trailer home with them.

During the road, Ash and Pablo are attacked by Mr. Roper (Damien Garvey), now a Deadite. After fighting in the car, Ash manages to behead him. Arriving at Kelly's father's house, they find her, her father (Phil Peleton) and her mother Suzy (Mimi Rogers) alive. Suzy acts normal and has no recollection of her death, claiming she had amnesia. Ash is not convinced by her story, and is even more upset when Pablo reveals that he was the one who took the Necronomicon so they could get Kelly back. Meanwhile, Amanda (Jill Marie Jones) investigates the attack at the home trailer, where she starts to believe that Ash is involved behind the recent events at the town.

During dinner, Ash tries to provoke Suzy by punching her, which only causes Kelly and her father to scold him. However, Suzy turns into a Deadite and kills Kelly's father with a fork. Ash fights her until she hides in the house. Kelly locks herself in her room, where she finds Suzy in her normal body, crying. Ash and Pablo enter the room, intending to kill her, despite Kelly's pleas that her mother is fighting the possession. Suzy once again turns into a Deadite and attacks the team. Pablo stabs her in the head, but she becomes aggresive and prepares to kill them, until Ash uses his chainsaw to behead her.

After burying her parents in the garden, Kelly swears she will avenge their deaths. She accepts Pablo's suggestion to join them in fighting evil, and the three drive off in Ash's car. Somewhere, Amanda arrives at the Books from Beyond location.

Production

Development

The episode was written by producer Dominic Dierkes, and directed by Michael J. Bassett. [1]

Casting

In May 2015, Mimi Rogers was announced to guest star in the series as Suzy Maxwell, Kelly's mother. [2]

Reception

Viewers

In its original American broadcast, "Bait" was seen by an estimated 0.276 million household viewers and gained a 0.12 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, according to Nielsen Media Research. This means that 0.12 percent of all households with televisions watched the episode. [3] This was a 37% decrease in viewership from the previous episode, which was watched by 0.437 million viewers with a 0.13 in the 18-49 demographics. [4]

Critical reviews

"Bait" received extremely positive reviews from critics. Matt Fowler of IGN gave the episode a "great" 8.4 out of 10 rating and wrote in his verdict, "'Bait' was pretty much the grand experiment as far as the Evil Dead-verse goes. As the first-ever Ash adventure not directed by Sam Raimi, the show proved that the blockhead character and over-the-top tone could endure a changing of the guard. The next test ahead will be an episode not written by Raimi. 'Bait' also gave us one of the most defined Deadites to date in Mimi Rogers' Suzy, making me wonder if a 'boss' type demon might do well on a show like this. Army of Darkness dabbled with it by using the 'Deadite Captain' - aka Bad Ash back from the grave - so perhaps this element should return." [5]

Michael Roffman of The A.V. Club gave the episode a "B+" grade and wrote, "'That, my friends, is how we do it', Ashley 'Ash' Williams declares at the start of this week's episode, 'Bait'. Standing over the ragged, headless corpse of last week's Top Deadite, Vivian Johnson, our hero couldn't appear more determined, more pleased, more assured. Yet it's almost as if he's speaking on behalf of Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, or anyone else involved in the production of Ash Vs. Evil Dead. Because after that bloody spectacular pilot episode, they've earned the right to be so bold. And let's be real, it's not like fans weren't thinking or saying the exact same thing." [6]

Gina McIntyre of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "In tonight’s installment of Ash Vs. Evil Dead, it's Bruce Campbell's Ash who's come to dinner with Kelly's parents, including Mom, newly back from the dead. And you'd better believe there are some unappetizing items on the menu (fork in the eye anyone?)." [7] Stephen Harber of Den of Geek wrote, "While 'Bait' is a fun and satisfying follow-up to what is arguably the best series premiere of any revival seen thus far, it loses most of the deliciously frantic momentum its predecessor indulged in." [8]

Carissa Pavlica of TV Fanatic gave the episode a 4.5 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "These episodes sure do feel short, don't they? Then again, like a good meal, they satisfy the appetite without stuffing you full. That's more than can be said for a lot of other shows clogging up the telly these days." [9] Jasef Wisener of TV Overmind wrote, "'Bait' was absolutely spectacular, and it was the perfect follow-up to this show's series premiere. I can't believe how great this show already is, and I know that the best is yet to come. We're in for a great ride with Ash vs. Evil Dead, and I hope that this one manages to live on for years to come." [10]

Bree Ogden of Bloody Disgusting wrote, "Overall, it was a really badass episode, especially for what I like to call a 'building block' episode, which can tend to lose a bit of steam in all the development. And I have to say, I absolutely cannot wait to see where the police investigation aspect of the show will take us. Ash has never had to answer to the cops for all the carnage he has undertaken, so the prospect of him butting heads with the law is electrifying." [11] Blair Marnell of Nerdist wrote, "Aside from some minor missteps in Fisher's subplot, Ash vs. Evil Dead continued to be amazingly well produced. So far, I am loving this show." [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ash Williams</span> Fictional character

Ashley Joanna "Ash" Williams is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Evil Dead franchise. Created by Sam Raimi, he is portrayed by Bruce Campbell and is the only character to appear in each entry of the series, including a post-credits and audio cameo in the 2013 and 2023 soft reboot flims. Throughout the series, Ash faces off against "Deadites", evil creatures possessed by the ancient evil of the Kandarian Demon. Ash, since his debut, has been considered a cultural icon and an iconic horror hero. In 2008, Ash was selected by Empire magazine as the 24th greatest movie character of all time, and in 2013, was voted by Empire as the greatest horror movie character ever.

<i>Evil Dead</i> American horror film franchise created by Sam Raimi

Evil Dead, later also referred to as Army of Darkness, is an American horror film franchise created by Sam Raimi consisting of five feature films and a television series. The series revolves around the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, an ancient Sumerian text that wreaks havoc upon a group of cabin inhabitants in a wooded area in Tennessee.

<i>Ash vs Evil Dead</i> American comedy horror television series

Ash vs Evil Dead is an American comedy horror television series developed by Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi, and Tom Spezialy for Starz. The series is set in the Evil Dead universe created by Raimi, with Bruce Campbell reprising his role as Ash Williams from the film series. Ray Santiago, Dana DeLorenzo, and Lucy Lawless also star.

"El Jefe" is the series premiere 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 Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi and Tom Spezialy, and directed by Sam Raimi. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on October 31, 2015.

"Books from Beyond" is the third episode 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 producer Sean Clements, and directed by Michael J. Bassett. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on November 14, 2015.

"Brujo" is the fourth episode 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 James E. Eagan, and directed by David Frazee. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on November 21, 2015.

"The Host" is the fifth episode 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 Zoë Green, and directed by David Frazee. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on November 28, 2015.

"The Killer of Killers" is the sixth episode 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 Nate Crocker, and directed by Michael Hurst. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on December 5, 2015.

"Fire in the Hole" is the seventh episode 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 producer Sean Clements, producer Dominic Dierkes and co-creator Ivan Raimi, and directed by Michael Hurst. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on December 12, 2015.

"Ashes to Ashes" is the eighth episode 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 Michael J. Bassett, and directed by Tony Tilse. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on December 19, 2015.

"Bound in Flesh" is the ninth episode 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 Rob Wright, and directed by Tony Tilse. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on December 26, 2015.

"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.

"Home" is the first episode of the second season of the American comedy horror television series Ash vs Evil Dead, which serves as a continuation of the Evil Dead trilogy. It is the eleventh overall episode of the series and was written by executive producer Craig DiGregorio, and directed by co-executive producer Rick Jacobson. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on October 2, 2016, although the episode was available early on September 27, 2016 through Facebook and Starz.com.

"The Morgue" is the second episode of the second season of the American comedy horror television series Ash vs Evil Dead, which serves as a continuation of the Evil Dead trilogy. It is the twelfth overall episode of the series and was written by Cameron Welsh, and directed by Tony Tilse. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on October 9, 2016.

"Last Call" is the third episode of the second season of the American comedy horror television series Ash vs Evil Dead, which serves as a continuation of the Evil Dead trilogy. It is the thirteenth overall episode of the series and was written by co-producer Noelle Valdivia, and directed by Tony Tilse. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on October 16, 2016.

"DUI" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American comedy horror television series Ash vs Evil Dead, which serves as a continuation of the Evil Dead trilogy. It is the fourteenth overall episode of the series and was written by co-creator Ivan Raimi, and directed by co-executive producer Michael J. Bassett. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on October 23, 2016.

"Confinement" is the fifth episode of the second season of the American comedy horror television series Ash vs Evil Dead, which serves as a continuation of the Evil Dead trilogy. It is the fifteenth overall episode of the series and was written by William Bromell, and directed by co-executive producer Michael J. Bassett. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on October 30, 2016.

"Trapped Inside" is the sixth episode of the second season of the American comedy horror television series Ash vs Evil Dead, which serves as a continuation of the Evil Dead trilogy. It is the sixteenth overall episode of the series and was written by co-producer James E. Eagan, and directed by Mark Beesley. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on November 6, 2016.

"Second Coming" is the tenth episode and season finale of the second season of the American comedy horror television series Ash vs Evil Dead, which serves as a continuation of the Evil Dead trilogy. It is the twentieth overall episode of the series and was written by co-producer Luke Kalteux, and directed by co-executive producer Rick Jacobson. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on December 11, 2016.

"Judgement Day" is the ninth episode of the third season of the American comedy horror television series Ash vs Evil Dead, which serves as a continuation of the Evil Dead trilogy. It is the 29th overall episode of the series and was written and directed by executive producer Rick Jacobson. It originally aired on the premium channel Starz on April 22, 2018.

References

  1. ↑ "Ash vs. The Evil Dead- WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West . Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  2. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (May 20, 2015). "Starz's 'Ash vs. Evil Dead' Adds Mimi Rogers (Exclusive)". The A.V. Club . Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  3. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 10, 2015). "Showbuzzdaily's Top 100 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Update: 11.7.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on November 11, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  4. ↑ Metcalf, Mitch (November 3, 2015). "Showbuzzdaily's Top 100 Saturday Cable Originals & Network Update: 10.31.2015". ShowBuzzDaily. Archived from the original on November 4, 2015. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  5. ↑ Fowler, Matt (November 7, 2015). "Ash vs Evil Dead: "Bait" Review". IGN . Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  6. ↑ Roffman, Michael (November 7, 2015). "Guess who's coming to dinner in Ash Vs. Evil Dead?". The A.V. Club . Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  7. ↑ McIntyre, Gina (November 7, 2015). "Ash Vs. Evil Dead recap: Bait". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  8. ↑ Harber, Stephen (November 8, 2015). "Ash Vs. Evil Dead: Bait review". Den of Geek . Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  9. ↑ Pavlica, Carissa (November 7, 2015). "Ash vs Evil Dead Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Bait". TV Fanatic. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  10. ↑ Wisener, Jasef (November 7, 2015). "Ash vs. Evil Dead Season 1 Episode 2 Review: "Bait"". TV Overmind . Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  11. ↑ Ogden, Bree (November 8, 2015). "[Review] "Ash vs Evil Dead": 'Bait' Rides an Exhilarating Wave of Blood!". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  12. ↑ Marnell, Blair (November 8, 2015). "Ash vs. Evil Dead Review: "Bait"". Nerdist . Retrieved April 4, 2023.
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