I decided to rewatch the first season, to refresh my memory of events before proceeding to the second. My opinion of the show, which wasn’t all that high to begin with, has fallen.

SPOILERS

This Ash isn’t the Ash from the movies; this is a flanderized caricature of Ash. The Ash from the films may have been rude ‘n’ crude — which makes sense in light of what he’s experienced — but he wasn’t a casual racist or a horndog or a numbskull like he’s portrayed here. This Ash simply isn’t likable; his only saving grace is his one-liners.
Kelly. I don’t like her. I don’t like her personality, I don’t like her voice, and I don’t like her makeup.
All the interesting characters on this show die within episodes of their introduction. Lionel and El Brujo? Both had special knowledge/talents which could’ve been of recurrent use to the main characters further down the line. But nope, they were killed and became Deadites. Elegos? He could’ve been a recurring villain, if not a main villain in his own right. He acts the boogeyman for all of three episodes, then he’s blown to pieces. Quoth the Thulsa Doom, “Such a waste.”
Amanda. What a pointless, go-nowhere character. Don’t even get me started on her “blink-and-you’ll-miss-it” romance with Ash.
Ruby. She was interesting initially. Her introduction, as a demon hunter pursuing Ash under the mistaken belief that he’s allied with the Deadites? So much potential there. Then she was revealed as a Dark One who just wants to control the forces of darkness 'cause she’s EVIIIIL. Bleech.
The tone. It’s trying to be violent/gory as well as funny, but it’s no Evil Dead II. Evil Dead II knew how to balance comedy and horror. Ash vs. Evil Dead is a discordant clusterfuck of tastelessness.
So no one ever went to the cabin in the years between Evil Dead II and this series? Ash’s parents never asked him what became of Cheryl? None of the family/friends/co-workers/employers of Scotty/Shelly/Linda ever made inquiries about their whereabouts? No random visitors/hikers ever explored the cabin grounds and found the remains of any of the people who died there? It just raises too many questions.

My individual episode ratings:

“El Jefe” – 6/10
“Bait” – 7/10
“Books from Beyond” – 7/10
“Brujo” – 7/10
“The Host” – 6/10
“The Killer of Killers” – 6/10
“Fire in the Hole” – 5/10
“Ashes to Ashes” – 7/10
“Bound in Flesh” – 5/10
“The Dark One” – 4/10

My rating for the season (and the show):

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

I’m still going to check out the second season. If I like it more than the first, then my rating will improve. If not …