by Mike Hilty, Contributing Writer
Hacks has been on a roll lately. It swiped the Best Comedy Series awards at both the Emmys and the Golden Globes, Jean Smart continues her in the lead acting category, and it is still HBO’s most consistent and best comedy series. Three seasons in, and it’sis still in a strong position to continue its upward trajectory. So with Season Four, Hacks was starting to get into some uncharted territory.
Or so I thought.
Season Four picks up right where Season Three ends. Deborah (Jean Smart) gets her dream job, and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) jockeys her way to a high-end job. The tension between the two is still there, as Ava didn’t precisely get the job in the most ethical way. She took a page right out of Deborah’s playbook, being cutthroat to get her way.
As always, Hacks’ most consistent trait is its humor. The jokes come in two different ways this season. First, from Deborah’s new show, where they sometimes feel manufactured. It’s part of the point, though. Deborah’s latest project has to appeal to a general audience, not just her typical fan base. She still manages to find ways to inject her personality into her new venture. Second, the jokes come from the lives of Deborah and Ava’s chaotic relationship. Whether it’s at Ava, Deborah, or their two managers’ expense, the best moments of the show come from the real-life situations outside of Deborah’s new job.
The first part of the season focuses on the fallout from Ava’s decision at the end of Season Three. We are used to Deborah and Ava being at odds, but this feels different. Ava isn’t exactly known for her backbone, and this is the first time in three years that she stands up to Deborah in a way that causes friction. Deborah has always been a little ruthless towards Ava, but this is getting to uncomfortable levels of toxicity. When an H.R. team had to be brought in to make sure they don’t kill each other, Hacks truly goes into uncharted territory.
What made Ava and Deborah’s relationship different is that Deborah finally understood that Ava isn’t an employee; she’s a partner. This is the core part of this season that makes the series work. Smart dials up the acting this season by being more vulnerable than she’s ever been. She’s realizing her dream, and she’s finally starting to come to terms with the fact that she didn’t get to where she is by herself. It’s a staggering lesson for Deborah to learn, and Smart delivers on all accounts. She’s a shoo-in for another Emmy.
Einbinder is in new territory as well with Ava’s. She’s not used to having the upper hand, even though she’s the lynchpin to what has made Deborah as successful as she’s been throughout the show. Ava has never been one to push so forcibly towards Deborah that she might get into a potential conflict. They fight and bicker, like any team does, but this season shows Ava’s truly growing as a character. Ava has always been a bit awkward, but she feels more comfortable in her skin, and more confident in her abilities.
This season finally sees Deborah pushing back on show business. Deborah has been a comedian for a long time, and Season Four sees her subvert expectations. You expect Deborah to relish in her moment in the spotlight as long as possible. However, what she soon realizes is that selling her soul isn’t worth the cost of a dream coming true. Season Four excels with this lesson, making it the most impactful of the entire series.
The season should have ended with Episode Eight or Nine, because the final episode leaves a lot to be desired, taking the series in a direction that feels a little cheap. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it ruined the season for me, but it had me wondering how much longer Hacks’ runway is.
It turns out Season Four is a crossroads for Hacks. We get some excellent character development, as well as some funny and heartfelt moments, and it gives Hollywood some much-needed grief for how it treats people. Yet while I’m still fully invested, I can’t imagine that the show goes on for much longer after this season. The ride was still very much worth my time, though.
Rating: Liked It
Hacks is currently streaming on Max
You can read more from Mike Hilty, and follow him on Instagram, Letterboxd, and Serializd