Comfort television can be a grey area for many viewers. What one may find comforting could be dull and trite to others. That’s what makes some television series hard to connect with for some viewers. Particularly, this can be attributed to shows about the entertainment industry. With the common TV-watcher not involved in that world, said shows could keep viewers at a distance. The Max (eventually being renamed to HBO Max) television show Hacks proved itself an exception to that rule. Now with forty-eight Emmy nominations and nine wins, the series stands out amongst the crowd. Now entering its fourth season, Hacks attempts to keep the magic the series has maintained for four-plus years.
The story of Hacks season four picks up in the immediate aftermath of season three. Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) has successfully blackmailed Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) into the position of headwriter on Deborah’s late-night talk show “Late Night With Deborah Vance.” For Deborah, this show is everything she has ever wanted. That makes tensions between the two at an all-time high with no reconciliation in sight. Meanwhile, Deborah’s agent Jimmy (Paul W. Downs, who is also a co-creator of the series) attempts to mend the relationship. That is, while simultaneously working to grow his new agency with his former unfiltered assistant, Kayla (Megan Stalter).
In the conclusion of season three, Hacks left audiences on an exciting cliffhanger. In my opinion, it made for a fun variation to the “loose hang” nature of the series. Unfortunately, that storyline struggles to maintain the tension it strives for. Viewers have come to care for these characters, and their division simply proves less interesting than one may hope. These early episodes seem like nothing more than gears grinding forward. It’s frustrating, and while it’s still funny in places, it could prove a letdown for many.
Such moments convey an unbridled self-seriousness that never quite works as it should. Granted, four seasons in sitcom-esque shows like this should take large swings. Choices like those are admirable as they take these characters in new directions. Ava and Deborah’s banter has always been prickly, but had an undercurrent of love. In these early episodes, that harshness does not have that undercurrent pulsating through it. Thankfully, those feelings manage to fade away, returning to the heartfelt (and sarcastic) interactions fans want.
This season of Hacks’ biggest strength has to go to the performances. Being four seasons in, this cast still has an effective and natural chemistry with one another. In turn, that translates to the audience, as it feels like we’re connecting with old friends. As someone who has been a devoted fan since season one, this helped me forgive the narrative shortcomings of those early episodes. Both Einbinder and Smart have wisely built goodwill among their audience up to this point. That being the case, the results deliver very playful performances.
In the conceit of the show, Ava (Einbinder) is meant to deliver a sense of new-age thought. She has to help Deborah keep up with what the youth are into, and evolve her comedy in the process. In Season 4, Einbinder has developed the character in ways that will please audiences who may have grown tired of her schtick. Her naivety is still very present, but there’s a maturity that feels earned. Her choices, starting this season, are strategic, even if morally wrong, yet they balance themselves against genuine motivation. Ava still makes poor decisions, but she helps serve as a conscience to Deborah.
Jean Smart, on the other hand, delivers her best performance as Deborah to date. In this new role as a late-night host, Smart has to convey a level of composure. Though behind the eyes, there’s a rage simmering underneath. Granted, her dry and sarcastic wit still shines brightly. The results of which deliver laugh-out-loud moments in surprisingly subtle ways, making it almost impossible not to laugh. Yet, at the same time, no matter her cruelty to others, viewers still want her to succeed. Four seasons later, viewers care so deeply about Deborah that we cheer when she succeeds, and scream when she makes a bad choice. No matter the narrative’s melodrama, viewers just want to see Deborah happy.
Without those two lead performances, this season of Hacks could feel like homework. Besides the conflict that starts in season four, the show’s “drama” slowly fades for several episodes. The results of which make the season feel like it’s spinning its wheels for quite some time. In those moments, it simply feels like the story doesn’t have enough meat on the bone. It’s a frustrating aspect, but understandable, given that it’s four seasons into the series. With that said, the season sticks the landing in its last few episodes.
Hacks season four certainly does not reach the heights of what came before. The season, unfortunately, struggles to find its narrative footing. Both Einbinder and Smart deliver compelling performances but have to wade through serious melodrama. Once the story moves past that, Hacks gets back to what audiences want to see. That is the signature banter of our leads, who deeply care for one another. Those moments are so infectious that, once they arrive, it’s hard not to forgive the flaws. While it was an overall rocky journey, Hacks season four nails its destination. Now renewed for season five, I still can’t wait to see where it goes next.
Hacks Season 4 is now streaming in full on MAX.
Learn more about the show, including how to watch, at the site for the title.
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