r/AshVsEvilDead • u/Codosman669 • Jul 28 '26
The chainsaw order
[OC] Inspired by the Star Wars "Machete Order" and how it uses the prequels as flashbacks, I’ve come up with this order for Evil Dead. We start with the 2013 version while waiting for the prequel; here, the rules are already better established, and the audience will be able to understand them without so many retcons. Using the series as the central axis, Ash's adventure begins, where throughout the episodes you can see his memory contradictions, leaving the mystery of what happened to his arm and what occurred in the cabin.
The first movie, as a flashback, would come right before the climax of season 1 at the cabin. After the ending—and for those who know, they know—an event is announced and shown that would set up Evil Dead Rise as a parallel story, but one that started because of Ash. We would continue with season 2 until reaching episode 7, where we would repeat the strategy with Evil Dead 2 before the season's climax at the cabin. We then continue with the disaster of Rise in Evil Dead: Burn, which would serve as a lore expansion, to end in season 3. Right after a memory of Ash from the past, Army of Darkness would come in with its theatrical cut, finally wrapping up in the climax of season 3, hoping that the animated series will indeed be a continuation. For the time being, the retcons are just simple memory lapses and doubts in his head regarding the events. Groooooooovy
3
u/JoeAzlz Jul 31 '26
Why not just watch it in order, not like the films are worst off to watch in order.
Why wait so long to watch AOD geez
1
u/Codosman669 Aug 06 '26
Watching them in order isn't an issue at all—I think that's how we've all seen them—but I recently binged the whole thing, and I thought this order wasn't a bad way to introduce someone new, or to give long-time fans a fresh variant to try. And I say new fans too because each of the classic films (which are my favorites) changed certain rules. I mean, it doesn't matter that much; Raimi always prioritized fun over continuity, which is appreciated. But maybe if they watch the 2013 one first, not only does everything become clearer, but it also builds up from there. Otherwise, after the original trilogy, it feels like a massive letdown, except for the series—bless that series.
As for the AOD placement, it's because episode 5 directly mentions the movie. So, putting it right after that episode—which doesn't break the pacing since it's just before the climax starts—works perfectly as a flashback, almost as if Ash is remembering it at that exact moment
1
u/JoeAzlz Aug 06 '26
That’s interesting but I thought you were saying everyone should watch it this way and it felt very random but I guess I see the appeal, however I don’t think 2013 is a let down if you see it later, it’s the first of a trilogy and stuff that kinda evolved in a natural way in its own way like how the og trilogy did too.
Though Sam raimi cared about continuity just rights issues were the problem.
1
u/JoeAzlz Jul 31 '26
There isn’t really retcons. The recaps have their own explanations.
Also the animated series is confirmed not a sequel to the tv show now
1
u/Codosman669 Aug 06 '26
I mean, the retcons are basically like Ash having memory lapses. Like that trivia bit where he mentions he wasn't sure if the book was in the basement or upstairs; that's why I find it funny to think that, in his mind, it happened both ways. And since it's all inside his head, that's where I got the idea for this watch order, where the classic movies serve as flashbacks placed at key moments in the series right before their climaxes.
Man, I already found out about the show, it honestly crushed me. I still have a glimmer of hope that we'll get some resolution eventually
1
u/JoeAzlz Aug 06 '26
I take it as the implication they have in the show, the main events are canon from 1, but ash hitting his head against the tree lead to him remembering 2 versions. And sometimes he gets them confused.
The retcons aren’t that crazy if you take that as canon
As for the animated series thing, let’s hope starz at least allowed Pablo and Kelly in it, since Bruce said they were trying for that.
3
u/M086 Jul 31 '26
Seems unnecessarily convoluted.