'Books from Beyond' is a slight comedown from the first two episodes of 'Ash vs. Evil Dead', if only in the sense that it's not as lively and outrageous. It mostly serves as exposition and set-up, with Ash and company going to the title weirdo bookstore to see about translating the language in the Necronomicon Ex Mortis. Unfortunately, Ash gets the "bright" idea to have the proprietor, Lionel Hawkins (Kelson Henderson), summon Eligos (Ben Fransham), a minor demon, so that he can pose the question of how to stop the madness. The demon, of course, has other ideas.
There are some good lines, and the easygoing chemistry between Bruce Campbell, Ray Santiago, and Dana DeLorenzo is maintained. Ruby Knowby (Lucy Lawless) is given more to do here, as *she* begins picking up Ash's trail, arriving at Kelly's homestead and conducting her own interrogation (of Kelly's still quite lively dad). Trooper Amanda Fisher meets up with Ash and gang, or the "Ghost Beaters", as Pablo likes to think of them, and almost ruins everything by persisting in her efforts to arrest Ash.
Perhaps most intriguing is Ruby. At this point we don't know what her deal is, or what side she's on. All we know is that she's after the book.
All in all, this series is proving to be a highly agreeable continuation of the themes from the feature films.
Seven out of 10.
There are some good lines, and the easygoing chemistry between Bruce Campbell, Ray Santiago, and Dana DeLorenzo is maintained. Ruby Knowby (Lucy Lawless) is given more to do here, as *she* begins picking up Ash's trail, arriving at Kelly's homestead and conducting her own interrogation (of Kelly's still quite lively dad). Trooper Amanda Fisher meets up with Ash and gang, or the "Ghost Beaters", as Pablo likes to think of them, and almost ruins everything by persisting in her efforts to arrest Ash.
Perhaps most intriguing is Ruby. At this point we don't know what her deal is, or what side she's on. All we know is that she's after the book.
All in all, this series is proving to be a highly agreeable continuation of the themes from the feature films.
Seven out of 10.