My favorite comedic duo is back, and I just know these ladies are going to have plenty of spitfire this season. Coming back as Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), the lovely ladies have had quite a roller-coaster relationship over the last three seasons, and this season looks to have a few more bumps. Last season, Deborah finally scored her big break when she nailed the late-night spot, but throwing Ava under the bus instead of talking to her about the situation proved to be her undoing. Ava learned everything from Deborah, including how not to accept a ‘No’ and leveraging a little blackmail to get the job done. I know Deb’s annoyed, but I feel like at least a little of her is probably pretty proud.
4-1 “Big, Brave Girl”
“Well, aren’t you a big, brave girl?”
We pick back up after the immediate bomb drop. Deb feels threatened, to say the least. There’s a big ole target on her back, and Ava’s got the sights set. Ava’s going after what she wants, and just like Deb taught her, she doesn’t have to do things the nice way. Jimmy (Paul W. Downs) offers Deb a compliment for putting Ava in the lead writer spot, and I still can’t get Deb’s response out of my head. “Why don’t you ask that little cunt what really happened?” Oof. Here’s the thing though, the fewer people that know you fucked the 
executive before getting the job the better. That’s not exactly information you want going around. But she takes to some light kitchen demo to improve her mood. Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins) has to drop his bomb, but let’s look for a better moment. Frankly, there’s never a good moment with Deb, so take it and run, babe. She was never going to be happy to lose you, but right now, she really can’t see the forest for the trees. She’s panicked.
Meanwhile, Ava’s getting sabotaged at work, thanks to Deb. And Deb’s being pretty damn nasty about it. Sending Ava’s underwear to a higher-up, telling security she’s on drugs and needs a drug test. You’re not exactly beating the bitch allegations here, Deb. But overall, the HR Q&A was hilarious. Kayla (Megan Stalter) continues to be her aloof self, and I just adore her. Hollywood needs to be casting this lady in EVERYTHING!
However, under the surface, everything is still simmering. Deb sabotages Ava by scheduling a dinner with executives that Ava’s clearly late for. She jumps on the lot tour for a quick getaway, but the tour guide isn’t having it. “I don’t give a fuck about the Bates Motel!” But Ava does finally make it to Bob Lipka’s (Tony Goldwyn) party. He makes it clear to Deborah that she isn’t to breathe a word about their night together. Obviously, she knows that. Who do you think would bear the brunt of that shit when it hit the fan? Her! It’s always the woman who gets shafted the most, though Ava does have a nice time chatting up his wife. In the end, Jimmy wrangles them both, and the cover story looks like love and feels a lot like hate.
4-2 “Cover Girls”
Episode two opens with a menacing dream. Deborah’s being haunted by coyotes, in her mind and on her property. Her housekeeper, Josefina (Rose Abdoo), cracks me up. Deb can’t possibly cancel her New York Times subscription because Josefina needs the Wordle! Again, another actress I wish would get cast more.
Deb brings her psychic on as a consulting producer. It is ridiculous in every way but provides some absolutely hilarious laughs, including pronouncing Deb’s name wrong. Ava’s trying to get writing talent hired, but Deb’s putting her foot down. Deb wants established talent, not some rubes right off the street. When the article comments on the perspective Ava brought to her show, Deb’s less than thrilled. She wants to make sure to continue to appeal to the usual blue-collar workers who watch late night. Ava’s perspective could be too much and drive them away. On the flip side, they need to reach the younger demographic, or the show won’t last anyway. Winnie (Helen Hunt) has quite literally put all her eggs in Deb’s basket, and it needs to work.
Meanwhile, Jimmy and Kayla are settling into their new office. Kayla jumps on, pulling in kids and animals, and again, people miss how smart she is. This is a gold mine for entertainment. Because even if the kids aren’t the main characters, plenty of shows cast kids. And while animals are notoriously difficult to work with, anyone will watch a show about a puppy. Even a Lassie reboot! And while her assistant Randi (Robby Hoffman) seems like an odd duck, she’s an odd duck with some very good knowledge, albeit in a weird way. So overall, Jimmy actually seems to be in a good spot for himself, minus the Ava and Deb debacle.
But Deb’s gotta learn she can’t mow everyone over. Just like the coyotes making their stand, Deborah has to acknowledge Ava can’t be removed, and she’s not going anywhere. Best to play nice and try and make it work. Just like Marcus finally gets through to her about her business. She can’t do both and while QVC worked great back then, this is the big leagues and he wants her to have every damn shot at success. He truly loves her and wants her to succeed and he got her the best damn deal he could. But she’ll miss him and knowing people around her are trustworthy. To be fair, Deb, you are the one who burned that bridge with Ava. But maybe you are also the one who can fix it.
I loved the little bits of extra content that were slipped in. Behind Ava in her new apartment complex is the Wolf Girl poster featuring her ex. I cried a silent tear over seeing The Franchise poster in the background. Truly devastated that HBO wouldn’t give that one at least one more season. I actually think it could have found a stride, but I’m not a TV executive. I just review them, and as long as these ladies stick around, I’ll be here.
Come back around for my two cents’ worth, and don’t forget there is a podcast available for extra insights about Hacks Season 4.
