Thoughts from the ledge: The end of Ash vs Evil Dead is about hope

The final episode of Ash vs Evil Dead aired last Sunday.  After thinking about it for a week, I believe that it wasn’t a let down at all for the fans. Instead, the end of the show is about hope for the future.

“Is Ash dead? Never. Ash is as much a concept as a person. Where there is evil in this world, there must be one to counter – man or woman, it matters not.” – Bruce Campbell

***SPOILER ALERT***

Aftermath

Last Sunday was a day full of anticipation and tinged with a bit of sadness. Ash vs Evil Dead was saying so long to fans after a three-season run on STARZ. On top of that, Bruce Campbell, the man who gave Ash Williams life for almost four decades announced that he was retiring from his portrayal of the character.

Then in a blink of an eye, thirty minutes later, it was over. The GhostTweeters and I were ecstatic and extolling the praises of the way the show went out with a bang and not a whimper. This is what the cast promised the fans and man, did they deliver.

Of course, the next day the editorials filled the newsfeeds. Some were positive, some were negative but that is the way of the world. I decided to sit out and cogitate on the aftermath.

Fortunately, I saw the entire episode before it aired which was a good thing because I wanted to be prepared. Where some fans and members of the press saw a cliffhanger, I saw something else entirely.

By now, I will go on the assumption that everyone has seen the ending. Ash has saved the world. Kandar has fallen. The mettle of man was tested and by God, that Shemp’s swilling, sex loving, boomstick carrying, chainsaw handed idiot won!

However, that victory came with a price. He was badly injured. Fortunately, the Knights of Sumeria were keeping a watchful eye. They rescued him and put him in cryostasis.

Sire Reborn

While he was sleeping, they gave him a great cybernetic hand (a nod to Luke Skywalker or Colonel Steve Austin) which was a welcome surprise upon his awakening. Not only was his new appendage amazing but so was the android Knight of Sumeria, Lexx.

I mean who better to guard the Prophesied One but a sexily clad, hot female cyborg? The moment when Ash stares out at Detroit or what is left of it, we harken back to the original ending of Army of Darkness. When he gets into his beloved Delta, which is now pimped out and souped up a la Mad Max, you get the feeling that all is right with the world.

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With a groovy and a hell of a cowboy holler, he takes off into the future to chase the Dark Ones and reunite with his family. Isn’t this what heroes do? Don’t they live to ride off into the sunset and get to fight evil once more?

Maybe I am not seeing things in the same light as everyone that was disappointed. I understand that the fans wanted to see more and felt cheated. For me, the events came full circle.

Even down to the choice of using Deep Purple’s ‘Space Truckin’ again, this was a beautiful way to end this odyssey that begin in 2015. I truly believe that this was an ending that was chosen with the series audience in mind.

I tend to focus on what we were given. This season, the powers that be behind the show listened to the viewers. It is rare when that ever occurs in the business of television.

The Saga Continues

The writers wanted to tell the story of why an ordinary Joe from Elk Grove, Michigan was chosen to save the world. They succeeded in my estimation.

Ash vs Evil Dead was born because of the fans and their never-ending love for Ash Williams and his story. The fact that he lives and he continues his quest to fight evil is a gift.

I am not an optimist by any stretch of the imagination, at best I am usually cynical. Like Bruce Campbell said, “Is Ash dead? Never. Ash is as much a concept as a person.”

And now this is where the ending of this beloved series becomes about hope for me. This is not final. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

In an Alternate Universe

Yes, we may not get to see the continuation of this particular story. We may not get to see the post-apocalyptic Ash and the Ghostbeaters vanquishing the Dark Ones and Deadites. But you know what?

I am at peace with that. Because somewhere, in another timeframe, another universe, Ash is still very much alive and he is keeping the world safe with Pablo by his side, Kelly at the ready and his daughter Brandy.

Just knowing that possibility exists, is what hope is all about. It is not a bitter conclusion, it is a continuation of a story that will never end because it is kept alive in the hearts of all the fans.

Did you think the AVED finale was disappointing? Feel free to share your opinions in the comment section below. We want to hear from you.

Next: Bruce Campbell: Sacramento Fandemic photo ops available on layaway

Susan Leighton can be found on Twitter and Facebook @SusanontheLedge. She is also featured on Friday Night Tights, the ultimate pop culture wrap up show at Nerdrotics Podcast every Friday night at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT. You can catch her weekly coverage on IFC’s Brockmire at TV Series Hub.