Hacksis back for season 4 on Max, and it follows up on Ava’s shocking betrayal with another round of hilarious episodes rife with comedic conflict.The ending ofHacksseason 3delivered a bombshell twist that drastically changed the dynamic of the show. Ava used her knowledge of Deborah’s affair with an important network associate to blackmail her into hiring her as the head writer of her late-night show. While that was a great new story setup, it also put a lot of pressure on the fourth season to live up to the promise of that juicy tension.
Hacksseason 4sees Deborah and Ava navigating the new rift in their relationship while trying to figure out the right creative approach to their late-night show.The series continues to masterfully walk a fine line between outrageous sitcom and nuanced drama, and its storylines deftly accommodate both. For example, when Ava’s ex comes in as a guest on Deborah’s show, it allows Ava to embarrass herself over and over again, but it also forces her to confront her unresolved feelings about the relationship and her approach to relationships in general (and lets Deborah get a few well-placed jabs in).
Hacks Is Fresher Than Ever In Its Fourth Season
The Writers Keep Finding New & Exciting Ways To Evolve Deborah & Ava’s Relationship
Usually, when a sitcom gets to its fourth season, it starts to run out of steam. The conflicts have all been resolved and the writers either repeat those conflicts or scrape the bottom of the barrel for story ideas. But I have to hand it to the writers ofHacks;in season 4, the show is fresher than ever, and they’ve managed to keep evolving Deborah and Ava’s relationship without doing anything repetitive or removing the conflict completely. They’ve gone back and forth between friends and enemies a few times now, but it’s always a totally different evolution.
Hacksis streaming new episodes on Max every Thursday.
In season 4,they flip Deborah and Ava’s power dynamic on its head. In all three previous seasons, Deborah has been the one holding all the cards. But now,Ava has the upper hand for once, which completely changes the way they interactwith one another. Ava has to reckon with her newfound dark side and Deborah finally has to learn some humility. Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are as comfortable as ever in these roles, and their electric onscreen chemistry only gets stronger with each season.
Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder are as comfortable as ever in these roles, and their electric onscreen chemistry only gets stronger with each season.
The conflict between these two characters has never run deeper. Deborah resents Ava for the betrayal and Ava resents Deborah for not just giving her the job in the first place. Almost every conversation they have escalates into a screaming match.It’s really funny, but it’s not just used for comedy; it’s also dramatically engaging. There’s a poignant moment when Ava thinks Deborah is extending an olive branch and she’s really moved by it before realizing she’s just pretending for appearances.
Hacks' Cast Continues To Knock It Out Of The Park
Jimmy & Kayla Are The Chaotic Comedy Duo We Need
In addition to Smart and Einbinder, the rest ofHacks’ castknocks it out of the park. Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter’s Jimmy and Kayla continue to be the chaotic comedy duo we need, especially now that they’re business partners.Season 4 brings some great new additions to the ensemble, too, including Robby Hoffman as Jimmy and Kayla’s tireless new assistantand Michaela Watkins as an insufferable HR rep who’s forced to mediate Deborah and Ava’s contentious working relationship. I won’t spoil any of the season’s celebrity guest stars, but there’s a hilariously foul-mouthed cameo by a certain genial late-night host.
On top of the show’s signature one-liners, biting banter, and character comedy,Hacks’ fourth season has a lot of slapstick humor, which isn’t easy to pull off. Every time someone falls over, bumps their head, or gets accidentally knocked across a hallway, it’s a huge laugh. When Ava leans on a wall ornament in an attempt to look cool and casual, it backfires beautifully as the ornament goes flying off the wall with pitch-perfect timing. It’s not overplayed; it’s just the hilarious reality of clumsiness.
Hacksseason 4 made me laugh a lot, but I also got choked up a few times, too. Amidst all the tensions and bickering between Deborah and Ava, the series makes sure to fit in a couple of heartwarming little moments to show that, deep down, they still love each other. Most TV shows are dying at this point in their lifetime, butHackscontinues to thrive.
Hacks Season 4
Hacks, released in 2021, is a dark comedy series that explores the evolving relationship between Deborah Vance, a legendary comedian in Las Vegas, and an ambitious, outcast young writer. The show delves into the complexities of mentorship and creativity in the entertainment industry.
