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The funniest scene in the last episode of Hacks It starts with pulling out the classic rug. Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) arrives fashionably late to meet her most obsessive admirer, and enters the room to face a sea of eccentrics who seem to have her in their sights.
The legendary comedian, currently working her way to the top, is in desperate need of support as she tries to land a career-defining solo gig at Madison Square Garden. But her fans, known as ‘The Little Debbies’, are angry over her recent absence. They’ve spent years watching from the sidelines as Deborah bickers with her millennial writer, Ava (Hannah Einbinder). This season, Ava finally slides into the position the show has seemed to be setting her up for since the pilot episode — and in typical over-the-top fashion, she gets there ahead of schedule.
The Little Debbies’ list of grievances about Deborah who they feel has “gone to Hollywood” is as specific as it is ridiculous. Deborah’s “do’s and don’ts” list hasn’t been updated in nearly two years, leaving one man paralyzed with indecision (“Sometimes I sit in the dark”). Deborah has apparently discontinued her branded car insurance plan, leaving another fan uninsured. Even more seriously, she pulled Deborah Vance’s Red Light Mask from the shelves — much to the dismay of a woman who didn’t mind skin damage (“I love the burn. It eventually turns brown”). Finally, there’s a rumor gaining traction among the base: Deborah is, according to some, a lizard person.
In this exploration of fandom and devotion, Hacks He finally leans into the reality that was hinted at in the season premiere: Deborah and Ava’s feud is officially over. While the series has been defined by backstabbing, pointed insults regarding bodies and hairstyles, and generational divisions, there’s only so much mileage left in this one-on-one friction between the pair. The show has slowly but surely turned these two into best friends. The laughs and hugs that close the episode feel like a real release of joy from both writers and actors, enjoying a new dynamic. In the end, they are best friends.
Einbinder touched on this shift during his conversation with Hollywood Reporter Before the season 5 premiere.
“There were some mafioso Ava moves,” Einbinder said, referring to the dark ultimatum her character delivered at the end of Season 3, after she discovered her boss had been sleeping with a studio executive. “When she was blackmailing her…I was like Jesus Christ. But from that point on, in seasons four and five, it was really about being consistent and solid and working toward that goal again with Deborah.”
Of course with Hacks“Solid” is a relative term. The series has a tendency to have curveballs that arise from impossible situations, and things may seem a little off in the moment also Cozy between former adversaries. Right now, we’re treated to Deborah throwing Ava a surprisingly thoughtful birthday party — mostly to prove, as Ava immediately notes, that she actually has friends. It all leads to a triumphant ending: Deborah lands the MSG gig, even though it’s scheduled to be uploaded on September 11.
It is too early to predict exactly how Hacks He will commit to landing, but the stakes are clear and the path is set. The only remaining question is how many turns remain on the road to the park – and of course whether or not Deborah Vance actually has scales.
