Ash vs Evil Dead Season 3, episode 8 recap: Rifting Apart

This week on Ash vs Evil Dead, Ash and Pablo are reeling from the deaths of Kelly and Brandy so they put together a plan to get them back. Brandy realizes she isn’t safe even in the afterlife but runs into a few allies that might be able to help.

Not only did Ash fail at protecting Elk Grove, he failed at protecting his daughter. This loss is a big blow to their fight especially after Ash learns that the Kelly walking around isn’t actually Kelly. Now they have two very important people to save. With only a few episodes left in this season of Ash vs Evil Dead, time is certainly not on the side of the Ghost Beaters.

The latest episode gives viewers a better look into the deadly realm that people are sent after they are killed by evil before they are sent to hell. Brandy quickly learns that something sinister is lurking but thankfully she runs into familiar faces that can help before she is gone for good. In order to get out safely, it is up to Ash and Pablo, the Brujo Especial.

Cheating death

The school is swarming with police activity after what occurred at the dance. As far as the town is concerned, this was Ash’s doing so they are on the lookout for him. Ash and Pablo are hiding out in the school still reeling from the death of Brandy. Ash also finds out that Ruby killed Kelly and Kaya has been inhabiting her body. The two are visibly shaken but it is no time to give up. Ash thinks there is a way to get Brandy and Kelly back based on what Pablo told him about Kelly’s spirit in the rift. But first, they need Brandy’s body.

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Ash and Pablo steal the coroner’s van after Brandy’s body is put inside. There also happens to be an additional body that comes into play later. They frantically make their way to the hardware store so they can get to the rift. They unload the body and head to the cellar. The Knight that was previously on watch has mysteriously disappeared.

The deadlands

Brandy realizes that the deadly place she wakes up in does not mirror reality. There is a shadowy shape searching for victims. All of those who were killed at the school dance are also stuck in this place so there is plenty to chose from. Brandy finds herself in what looks like the main street of Elk Grove when she runs into Dalton.

Dalton explains to Brandy that he too was killed by evil and woke up in this place. Dalton leads her around town in the hopes of making it to the theater since the shadow figure stays away from there. He and Brandy are boxed into a dead end but then Kelly appears. Kelly gets them safely to the theater but inside, it resembles the bar. Brandy hopes they have a plan to get out but unfortunately “duck and cover” is all Kelly has in terms of a plan.

Deadly sacrifices

To bring Kelly and Brandy back to life, someone needs to be there to lead them through the rift. In order to get to the deadlands, they agree that Ash needs to be killed by evil. Ash agrees to let the dagger kill him so with Pablo’s help, he pierces it through his heart. While Pablo waits behind to reopen the rift when they are ready, Ash awakens in the dead place. He even has two working hands. Ash runs through town searching for Brandy and finds her with Kelly and Dalton.

Ash has a semi-formed plan so the four of them try to make it back to the cellar. Instead, they end up back on the street. The soul-sucking shadow is lurking out there and Ash offers to lead as a distraction so the rest can make it. Before Ash makes a move, Dalton decides that he needs to be the one to make the sacrifice so Kelly can get back and Ash can save Brandy. Dalton even shares a kiss with Kelly before creating a loud diversion. As he yells, Ash and the girls jump in the Delta they find as Dalton in dragged to the underworld. Deadly hands are now dragging the car under and it disappears underground.

Now or never

Pablo gets a little distracted after hearing noises coming from the hardware store. The body bag they brought to the cellar is now empty. He goes upstairs looking for Brandy but it happens to be the body that was in the other bag and the girl is now a deadite. She attacks Pablo while destroying the store in the process.

The delta emerges from the underground with everyone intact and they race away to find the cellar. Since Pablo is still facing a deadite, the rift is not open. Thankfully he uses the store’s paint can shaker to take out the deadite while a message comes through the tv of Ash reminding Pablo what he needs to do. Pablo uses his Brujo powers to open the rift on his end. It appears in the deadlands and Brandy and Ash get through but something is keeping Kelly from coming through the rift.

Ash’s body comes back to life meaning the plan worked so they go rescue Brandy who is still in the other body bag in the van. There is a brief feeling of relief now that Brandy is back but they still need to get Kelly back. They agree that the Ghost Beaters never leave a man behind. In a final scene, it is relieved that Kaya kidnapped the Knight that was watching the rift in the cellar. The Knight recognizes who they are but Ruby and Kaya have other plans for her in rewriting their destiny.

Next: Ash vs Evil Dead Season 3, episode 7 recap: Twist and Shout

Ash vs Evil Dead airs Sunday nights at 9/8c on STARZ so be sure to tune in!