Brujo (Ash vs Evil Dead)

Lore & Background

The episode follows Ash, Pablo, and Kelly as they visit Pablo's uncle, El Brujo, who tests Ash by having him take ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic. During his trip, Ash finds himself in his safe place, Jacksonville, Florida, and is visited by his pet lizard Eli. He is given the Necronomicon and told it must be buried where it started. Ash confronts and banishes the demon Eligos, who had possessed Kelly. Meanwhile, Ruby and Amanda join forces to catch Ash, with Ruby claiming Ash killed her family thirty years ago.

Reader's Guide

The episode was seen by an estimated 0.448 million household viewers and gained a 0.20 ratings share among adults aged 18–49, a 16% increase from the previous episode. Critics gave positive reviews, praising originality, character development, and performances, though some criticized pacing. Matt Fowler of IGN gave it an 8.2 out of 10, noting it 'buckle a bit more under conventional genre rules.' Michael Roffman of The A.V. Club gave it a 'B' grade, calling it 'a breath of fresh air.' The episode expanded the series mythology and introduced the character Eligos as a notable villain.

Did You Know?

• The episode was written by James E. Eagan and directed by David Frazee, both receiving their first writing and directing credits respectively.
• The episode features Ash taking ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic, as part of a test by Pablo's uncle El Brujo.
• The episode introduced the demon Eligos, who possesses Kelly and enters Ash's mind during his hallucination.
• The episode saw a 16% increase in viewership from the previous episode, which had 0.383 million viewers.

Shamanic Mentorship and the Legend of El Jefe

El Brujo, portrayed by Hemky Madera, occupies a foundational role in the emotional architecture of Ash vs Evil Dead as the shamanic uncle who raised Pablo Simon Bolivar. From a young age, this spiritual practitioner instilled in his nephew a worldview shaped by ancient narratives of cosmic evil and the singular hero destined to overcome it. The stories El Brujo told of a terrible power that could only be vanquished by 'El Jefe' became the bedrock of Pablo's identity and his unwavering faith in Ash Williams as a legendary figure. This mentorship explains why Pablo, a co-worker at the Value Stop, regards Ash with such fervent devotion, addressing him as 'El Jefe'—a term of deep respect that mirrors the reverence a disciple holds for a master. Ray Santiago, who portrays Pablo, has described his character as an 'El Jefe in-training,' a phrase that traces directly back to the shamanic education El Brujo provided. The uncle's influence permeates Pablo's loyalty, his willingness to fight valiantly alongside Ash and Kelly, and his refusal to see Ash as merely a broken man in a trailer, but as the hero the old stories promised.

The Kandarian Demon and a Shaman's Sacrifice

When the Kandarian Demon threatens the world, Ash, Pablo, and Kelly turn to El Brujo as their source of supernatural assistance. His role in this crisis is both practical and deeply personal: he is the one who possesses the knowledge and spiritual authority to confront a demon of such magnitude. The confrontation takes a devastating turn when the demon Eligos possesses Kelly, binding her to his will. El Brujo performs an exorcism to free her from Eligos' thrall, a ritual act of spiritual warfare that demands the shaman's full commitment. The cost is his life. Eligos kills him in connection with the exorcism, making El Brujo's death a sacrificial one—his final act is the liberation of a young woman from demonic control. This moment cements his place in the series' mythology as a guardian who gives everything to protect the next generation. His death also serves as the catalyst that pushes Pablo further into his own identity as a fighter and protector, transforming the nephew from a loyal sidekick into someone who must carry the weight of his uncle's legacy forward.

The Brujo Especial: Inheritance and Ritual

El Brujo's most enduring impact on the narrative of Ash vs Evil Dead is the shamanic lineage he leaves behind. In season three, Pablo completes a ritual that formally succeeds his uncle as a 'brujo especial,' a title that elevates him beyond a mere warrior into the role of a spiritual practitioner in his own right. This succession represents the culmination of everything El Brujo instilled in him during their years together. The stories of evil and the hero who defeats it, the spiritual knowledge of a shaman's craft, the understanding that certain powers require dedicated guardians—all of this passes from uncle to nephew through the ritual. The fact that Pablo achieves this title after being torn to ribbons by the demon Baal and resurrected speaks to the extraordinary nature of the brujo especial path. El Brujo, though no longer physically present, remains the architect of this transformation, his teachings and his sacrifice the foundation upon which Pablo builds his new identity as a keeper of ancient spiritual power.

Bridging Worlds: The Shaman in a Modern Story

Within the comedic and action-driven framework of Ash vs Evil Dead, El Brujo serves as the primary bridge between ancient supernatural mythology and the grounded, modern world of Value Stop employees and trailer-park living. As a shaman, he represents a tradition of spiritual knowledge that exists outside the bureaucratic, small-town reality where Ash has spent thirty years drifting. His very existence validates the supernatural threats that Ash faces, providing a counterweight to the skepticism of characters like the Elk Grove townspeople who dubbed him 'Ashy Slashy' and refused to believe his stories of Deadites. The fact that Ash, Pablo, and Kelly specifically seek him out for help against the Kandarian Demon underscores that even a battle-worn hero like Ash recognizes the limits of his own capabilities and the necessity of ancient spiritual authority. El Brujo's presence across both season one and season three of the series anchors the supernatural lore in a consistent, recurring figure who embodies the wisdom the modern characters lack.