Paid Post: TV Review--"Hacks" (Season 4)
The hit HBO Max show is back and better than ever, with knockout performances, smart writing, and poignant storylines.
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Warning: Spoilers for the series follow.
I think it’s safe to say that Hacks is one of, if not the, best comedy series on television right now. From the very beginning it has featured some truly remarkable character work from both Jean Smart–I think it’s also safe to say that Deborah Vance is the best role of her entire career–and Hannah Einbinder, as well as the various other supporting members of the cast. It’s one of those rare shows that can switch from being bitingly funny to heartbreaking on a dime, and there hasn’t yet a weak season. Small wonder that it has been nominated for so many Emmys and has already been renewed for a fifth outing.
The fourth season begins with Deborah seemingly on top of the world. She is at last a late-night host, the holy grail that she has sought for so many years, only to be thwarted each and every time. As so often in her career, however, things never go quite according to plan. For much of the season she is locked in a battle of wills with Ava, whom she cannot forgive for blackmailing her into giving her the coveted position of head writer, and on top of that she also faces pressure to save the show’s flagging ratings. At the same time, Jimmy and Kayla face their own struggles, not just in keeping Deborah and Ava from killing one another but also when it comes to dealing with the growing pains of setting up their own agency.