In comedy, they say dying is easy—it’s the legacy that’s hard. The final season premiere of Hacks literalized that, bringing Deborah Vance back from a death hoax to face her own immortality. In an hour that was a media satire and personal chess match between two comedy titans, 'EGOT' showed why this show is the gold standard of character-driven comedy. Here's my recap and review of the start of the season end.
The premiere finds Deborah and Ava returning from their chaotic Singapore sabbatical to a sight few living celebrities ever witness: a makeshift memorial outside Deborah’s Las Vegas mansion. Due to a series of reports regarding her "breakdown" and collapse on a boat overseas, a banked obituary was accidentally published, leaving the world to mourn a legend who isn't actually dead. The humor is sharp and dark, but the comedy turns to cold reality when Deborah discovers that media mogul Bob Lipka has used the confusion to exact his final revenge. Lipka hasn't just smeared her as "unstable"—he has effectively erased her from history, scrubbing her late-night clips and specials from every streaming platform he controls.
Horrified that her legacy might be defined by a "breakdown" rather than her brilliance, Deborah decides she needs a victory so undeniable it cannot be spun: she wants the EGOT. Already holding a Daytime Emmy and a Tony (as a producer), she tasks Jimmy and Kayla with finding her a path to an Oscar and a Grammy. This leads to a frantic, brilliant sequence where Deborah considers everything from a Tejano music album to a "Best Audiobook" memoir ghostwritten by a high-strung, immersive Tony Kushner (playing himself). However, as Ava astutely points out, gaming obscure award categories is a distraction from the real problem: the 18-month non-compete clause that keeps Deborah off the stage.
The episode reaches a fever pitch when Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins) helps arrange a secret, phone-free stand-up set at a solar panel warehouse. The set is a triumph, but the morning brings a temporary restraining order after the show's footage inevitably leaks. In a stroke of genius outside the courthouse, Deborah turns the legal ambush into a PR masterpiece, giving a defiant "Free Speech" statement that announces her comeback show at Madison Square Garden the moment her contract expires. The final twist, however, belongs to Ava. In a move that highlights just how much of a "mini-Deborah" she has become, Ava is revealed to have leaked the video herself. She realized that forcing a legal confrontation was the only way to bypass the contract’s limitations, using the media circus to announce the MSG show and get Deborah back on television without her technically "performing" on screen.
"EGOT' begins the final season with excitement, raising stakes while keeping sharp dialogue fans love. Deborah and Ava's relationship has grown into a strong team of strategists, with Ava guiding to protect Deborah’s pride. Hacks returns boldly with heartfelt moments, promising a confident, cinematic farewell. Deborah Vance isn't just vying for another award—she’s fighting to leave her mark in history, with Ava Daniels leading her, the future looks bright and unstoppable.
Jean Smart’s humorous reaction to her own memorial highlighted her charm, with her portrayal of being "erased" by Bob Lipka adding excitement. Tony Kushner’s lively guest appearance as a ghostwriter was a comedic highlight, contrasting Deborah’s straightforwardness. Hannah Einbinder’s captivating final reveal, showing she orchestrated the leak, indicates Ava's "win at any cost" attitude, teasing a fierce and entertaining finale.
Overall, I give this season premiere a 9.5/10.
What did you think of the final season premiere? With Ava now secretly orchestrating Deborah's legal battles and the Madison Square Garden show looming as the ultimate series finale, do you think Deborah will ever find out about Ava's 'betrayal-for-her-own-good,' or is this the kind of secret that eventually cements their partnership for life? Leave a comment.
You can catch Hacks Thursdays at 9/8c on HBO Max.
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