Episode # 6 – “Mrs. Table”
This Hacks review features the last three episodes, a hat trick of hilariousness. Because sometimes my schedule sucks and it’s hard to get one in at a time. We start this episode with Deb (Jean Smart) getting an 
award, though it was mostly bought for her by the network to harbor some audience goodwill. Ouch, but understandable. Cher also canceled on them, so it’s Ava’s (Hannah Einbinder) ex-girlfriend, Ruby (Lorenza Izzo), who will appear instead. Yikes, that won’t be awkward AT ALL… But Ava is trying to be a team-oriented person and celebrate the crew, though Deb disagrees.
On Deb’s end, she’s about to become a grandmother. DJ (Kaitlin Olson) facetimes while doing some reps, eager to move labor along. 10 days overdue? Yeah, I can’t blame you. She wants someone to come and assist, but not Mom. She needs Josefina (Rose Abdoo), and you can tell that stung a little for Deb, even if she couldn’t make it work with the new show anyway. Their relationship has had so many ups and downs over the years, it’s not surprising that DJ doesn’t 100% feel like she can count on Deb.
Ava gets a makeover to hopefully impress Ruby or at least show her that she’s doing well. But it’s not entirely as expected. Deb throws down about their jokes, and we can see Ava beginning to unravel, including failing 
her cool girl lean. But it’s another level of humiliation having your past relationship foibles dangled about in front of a studio audience. But even if work is rough, she has her couple to turn to. Well, not so much actually. Turns out they don’t appreciate being used only for sex and want the whole experience to be deeper and more meaningful, but Ava isn’t exactly ready to open herself up again, and they see that.
But it’s the fish that throws Ava over the edge. When she realizes staff have been subsidizing ridiculous food for themselves, she throws the fish and then herself overboard. She has officially crashed out and takes the gate arm with her. Deb’s on her own, but she’s clearly concerned. But she can’t do anything about it right now. She needs to run the show and then run to get a goofy ass award. It was an honor seeing Rosie O’Donnell and appreciating all the women of comedy who have been acknowledged on this show. Even though it wasn’t late night, Rosie having her own show was a groundbreaking moment for women in comedy.
Deb’s back alone at home, having been lectured earlier in the week by Josefina to not forget to lock the doggie door because of the coyotes. Well, guess what Deb forgot to do? She uses her new award to save her dog, and we truly see Deb at her lowest in this moment. There are a few constant presences in Deb’s life: her staff, her dogs, and Ava. She goes back out, hilariously going for a night swim, only to save someone who didn’t need saving. In the end, Ava and Deb have their moment to hash things out and realize who they are making this show for: each other. “I don’t even know your voice anymore.” “You are my voice.”
Episode # 7 – “D’Christening”
Deb’s getting into a rhythm with her show, finding the sweet spot. Loved seeing the Seth Rogen and Kaia Gerber cameos for celebrity strip poker. Plus we love a Kiki (Poppy Liu) sighting. Dance Mom (Julianne Nicholson) has gotten a steady spot on the show and talks with Deb about being a grandma now. It’s a humbling moment for Deb. She’s repaired things with Ava, even hiding away from Stacey (Michaela Watkins), the HR nerd. They’re in their groove and preparing for the baby’s christening.
Meanwhile, for Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) and Kayla (Megan Stalter), “Lassie” is violent and causing problems on set, just like Kayla. But Kayla’s also busy babysitting Dance Mom, who, even though she negotiated an Old Navy contract, has gone off the deep end partying in LA. Kayla might have gotten to most of her social media, but not enough. Bye-bye, contract. But also, she’s not a real mom, and also, that million-dollar contract has already been spent. Oops.
Family time at the christening! DJ puts her foot down with her mom on the religious stuff, but also asks Ava to be godmother. She quickly accepts, though she panics later after smoking pot. DJ tells her she doesn’t need her to take the baby if they die; she just needs her to share her version of Deb. The mother and 
daughter relationship is already too complicated and fraught with pain for DJ to be able to share an unedited or happy version of her mother. And I completely respect that. She wants her child to have a chance at a relationship without souring it herself. That’s a very adult choice to make, and it’s such huge character growth for DJ since season 1. But she’s also using the church to work productively, so she’s not entirely changed. But DJ truly puts her foot down with Deb and tells her how it’s going to go, and if Deb can’t respect that, then the baby won’t be in her life. Boundaries are good, people!
Ava and Deb have a heart-to-heart on the way back. DJ had said Deb doesn’t believe in anything. But Ava knows that’s not true. There’s one thing that Deb does believe in, and they just have to make that the heart of their show: comedy and making people laugh. Ava had previously pitched bringing on stand-up comedians, and Deb follows through, showing that maybe, just maybe, they’re about to hit something sweet.
Episode # 8 – “Witch of the Week”
Jimmy nervously waits at the restaurant. He’s trying something big and bold and he needs the knives removed for safety. Deb arrives, with Ava just behind. Oh wait, they’re BFFs again! Jimmy’s been worrying over nothing, but you think one of y’all could have given him a call? Damn, poor Jimmy. And now they have no knives to eat with!
Who is that screaming? Oh yes, it’s Ava’s mom Nina (Jane Adams). Classic mom moment played out absolutely hysterically. The two of them have shown us plenty of friction over the seasons, so I was nervous for what could be at hand. But even I couldn’t have been prepared. Nina got some money as part of the lawsuit for the company she was hawking because she was also a plaintiff. But she wants to use some of the money to freeze Ava’s eggs. She’s worried that Ava isn’t thinking about children enough. Sweet Jesus Lord, Ava is 28! God forbid a woman focus on creating a happy life before bringing a child into it. Not everyone can be as motherly as Kiki. But it’s a big conversation and now is not really the time because now it’s Bring Your Mother to Work Day! I have a feeling this is going to be amazingly cringeworthy. If Jane Adams has anything to say about it, we’re in for a treat. She tags along all day, making inappropriate comments and watching Ava do her thing. And at the end of it, she fully gets why Ava isn’t thinking about kids. She’s so busy creating this amazing, fulfilling life. It’s a really beautiful moment between the two and something I think a lot of women and their moms can identify with. Your mom just wants what’s best for you. Or at least, most moms. Not all women are perfect. But even Deb wants what is best for DJ. Hence her going makeup free in season one so DJ could make money off the photos. We see Ava and her mom turn a corner, and it was a lovely moment to see them understand each other a little better.
“I love you, but you don’t love yourself.”
Jimmy is struggling. He’s upset about not being informed about the divas fixing their relationship. There are a couple projects going wonky. Not to mention one of their beloved clients leaving because he made a deal with Kayla’s daddy. Ouch. But Kayla is trying to take care of Jimmy and the situation. But can she handle both? If it’s time to choose, who is going to win? Jimmy who has empowered and believed in her…or her dad with a skidoo? Tough call, but I’m hopeful Kayla is in this thing with Jimmy for the long haul.
Back at the show, Winnie (Helen Hunt) is pushing for Deb to create a sequel because everything in Hollywood these days needs a follow-up. Corden had carpool karaoke. What’s Deb’s schtick? She’s not sure and she’s goddamn sick of the conversation. Being flitted to and fro for social media blips and bits. It’s too much. You know what else is arguably too much? Having sex with three guys on a zamboni, but hey, maybe I don’t have enough fun. But Deb’s friend Mayor Jo (Lauren Weedman, pictured) has hit a scandal and needs to recover, if she can. Journalism is pretty historically nasty to women. But Deb believes she can turn the tide. And she does! The two funny ladies hit it out of the park and that’s when Deb gets the idea. How to get to #1. Deb knows how to dish, talk, gossip. Late night is no longer about reporting the news of the day. She wants to push envelopes, change the scene. And if they can get clips posted prior to the show, more people might tune in…
Well, it turns out…it works! The show hits the top spot. Celebrations are in order. But not without Winnie asking again about a spin-off. Bob (Tony Goldwyn) sends a gift and even calls. He asks if there is anything he can do for Deb. Well, now that you mention it… One little call and Winnie is hitting the bricks. Deb plays coy, but Ava is suspicious. I wonder if that truce will last much longer…
That leaves us with two more episodes to go in this season of HACKS. We hope you are enjoying it.
