Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels just can't seem to part ways. Throughout two seasons, the complex dynamic between Hacks' authoritative, traditional comedian Deborah (Jean Smart) and the socially conscious, struggling 20-something comedy writer Ava (Hannah Einbinder), who was hired to modernize her material, provided some of television's most amusing and thought-provoking humor about the lives of comedians.
Hacks is genuinely one of my favorite shows on television right now. A year on from the Season 2 finale, Deborah continues to revel in her resurgence, while Ava serves as a co-producer on a news program. Both women outwardly appear to be thriving independently: Ava has moved in with her actress girlfriend, sharing a sunlit hillside abode. Deborah finds herself surrounded by yes-men, ranging from the two underwhelming writers she brought on board after Ava's departure to the stylist who approves her questionable fashion selections, to audiences who chuckle even in the absence of genuine humor.
Amidst this sea of adoration, she yearns for a collaborator brave enough to speak the unfiltered truth. However, despite the triumph of their recent accomplishments, neither has necessarily attained their ultimate aspirations. They've merely been propelled to a position where those aspirations are within closer reach.
Similar to many workplace-centered shows, Hacks doesn't shy away from drawing parallels between romantic and professional connections. The initial encounter between Ava and Deborah in an elevator is marked by strained formality, as both try to remain distant. Only Deborah's snarky comment about Ava's attire breaks the tension. As the emotional barriers crumble, Ava and Deborah excitedly text each other like teenagers with crushes, falling back into a pattern of codependency as if the past year never occurred.
It's a shame that the show has allocated more screen time to the duo of agent Jimmy and his assistant Kayla, who have departed from her father's agency to pursue their own path. I would rather see more of Deborah's staff and her daughter, DJ. To me they're far more interesting and provide more insight into Deborah's life. As much as I like Jimmy, I tend to cringe at most of Kayla's lines.
For Smart, Deborah has always been the role of a lifetime, and in the latest episodes, the creators acknowledge her brilliance by providing her with more material for self-reflection and development than ever before. During the golden age of television comedy, a sitcom that achieved such perfect harmony could maintain its viewership—and network backing—for a decade or more. It seems fitting, given that one of its heroines epitomizes the ultimate Hollywood survivor, that Hacks has emerged as a rare streaming series with the potential for enduring longevity. I hope we see several more seasons of this rare gem of a show.
I'm very excited to see the remaining 7 episodes of season 3, as the first 2 episodes are a brilliant start. Hacks airs Thursdays on Max.
