Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31. All times are Eastern.
Top picks—spOoOoOoky edition!
Ash Vs. Evil Dead (Starz, 9 p.m., Saturday): It’s been 30 years since wisecracking, boomstick-wielding, heroic fuck-up Ashley J. “Ash” Williams strapped on his chainsaw and mowed down some rotten, pus-filled Deadite ass. And (unless you count the post-credits stinger from the 2013 Evil Dead remake, which, no, no you don’t), it’s been 23 years since Bruce Campbell pretended to do so onscreen, so—kind of a big day for horror fans everywhere, as the original Evil Dead trilogy continues, with Ash lurching back into action once he (again) accidentally unleashes slavering, goopy hell on earth. Our own Michael Roffman gets the weekly reviewing duties, because he’s not a medieval screwhead.
Grimm (NBC, 9 p.m., Friday): Poor Nick has lady troubles, what with his mom being beheaded, and his ex-girlfriend being dead, and that sexy monster lady having tricked him into impregnating her (thus losing his powers) and all. Les Chappell returns to sort all this mess out—and, since he’s back, that means it’s time for the return of the Grimm monster picture of the week!
The Returned (Sundance, 10 p.m., Saturday): In more sedate but eerier Halloween horror news, season two of this atmospheric, chilling French sort-of zombie series returns. The valley might have flooded at the end of last season, but now it’s six months later, and the inhabitants are coming back in search of their loved ones, even though they may or may not be the evil dead (if not, you know, the Evil Dead). Erik Adams is back, too, although we have it on reliable authority that he is, in fact, alive. The A.V. Club zombie squad is at condition yellow, just in case. There is no reason to panic—Laura M. Browning will put an undead Erik down like Zombie Shakespeare if she has to. (Alex McCown has the pre-air TV Review, but we’ve already administered the test—he checks out.)
Also noted
Please Like Me (Pivot, 10 p.m., Friday): Arnold invites his seemingly lovely parents to his birthday party for his big coming out announcement. Brandon Nowalk isn’t entirely sure things are gong to go well for the guy, but he’s comfortable predicting this series will continue to impress.
The Knick (Cinemax, 10 p.m., Friday): Sure, it’s not a horror series, per se, but, as Brandon Nowalk masterfully describes the previous episode of this early 20th-century medical drama, Hostel ain’t got nothin’ on The Knick:
For anyone worrying that The Knick wouldn’t be able to match its grisly early surgeries, “You’re No Rose” has you covered. Instruments spread Algie’s eyelids on the side needing surgery so that his eyeballs are disarmingly mismatched. A needle pierces the eyeball. It numbs it so that it remains stationary while the other one moves around increasingly worried. The camera slowly pushes in on Algie as Thack approaches with a tiny scalpel. He’s supposed to make an incision but his hands keep shaking. He’s aware of the problem but too proud to stop. Closer and closer, Algie’s single eye freaking out and Thack’s jittery hand going through with it anyway. And just when the tension becomes too much, Algie pulls away, suffering only a small slice on the temple thanks to Thack’s addled nervous system. “You’re No Rose” is a horror episode, but it’s not the climactic bloodbath. It’s the early suggestion that things are amiss, there’s no authority to rely on, and the problem is a lot bigger than anyone realized.
Doctor Who (BBC America, 9 p.m., Saturday): Those sucker-faced, shape-shifting Zygons, perhaps resentful of their perennial eighth-place finish in the annual “favorite evil alien races” BBC poll, kidnap the Doctor and that cool character everyone was sad they killed in her first appearance but is now alive again so everyone’s happy. Alasdair Wilkins (or an Alasdair Wilkins impersonator) will tell us how that goes—if his review contains phrases like, “People of Earth! Zygons rule! Bow down and be friends with all the Zygons, who are very nice and sweet-smelling!,” then we’ll know to mobilize the AV Club alien reviewer impersonator squad. Don’t worry—we’ve dealt with this before.
Guardians Of The Galaxy (Disney XD, 9:30 p.m., Saturday): Rocket, feeling under-appreciated, goes to work for obsessive collector The Collector. Things probably go okay until The Collector realizes, “A talking raccoon, you say? Hmmm….” Reviewer Kevin Johnson tried to warn the li’l guy, but you know raccoons.