At the start of the third season of Hacks, legendary comedian Deborah Vance faces a dilemma: Does a joke sound funnier with the word toilet or shitter? To help decide, she consults Gen Z writer Ava Daniels—formerly her comedy partner but now professionally estranged. When a Tom Cruise-gifted coconut cake helps them reconcile, Ava rules that toilet is indeed funnier.
Hacks is ostensibly about the craft of comedy—the niche obsessions, beefs, and insecurities of those who devote their lives to making others laugh. But it’s also about relationships, particularly the complex bond between Deborah (Jean Smart) and Ava (Hannah Einbinder). Despite their differences, these two women are united by common goals of redemption and reinvention. They’re both fighting for relevancy in an incredibly competitive comedy world and find that they get closest when they work together.
Rivalry and Partnership
When we first met Deborah and Ava in season one, they were stuck in separate ruts. Comedy icon and QVC maven Deborah was on autopilot at her Las Vegas residency, telling the same jokes nightly to easily pleased crowds. Struggling writer Ava had been recently canceled over a clumsy tweet and was overwhelmed by the gulf between her ambitions and her status as an industry pariah. Together, they reimagined Deborah’s act as a retrospective of her decades-long career.You think this is hard?
Shed scolded Ava,You have to scratch and claw and it never fucking ends. And it doesn’t get better. It just gets harder.
The Stakes of Reinvention
Hacks reminds us that women in the public eye are chastised both for changing too much and not changing enough. This burdens even the most famous. Taylor Swift, known for leaning into eras as a concept, has cashed in heavily by doing so. Later this summer, she will conclude her Eras Tour—a multibillion-dollar monument to her ability to reinvent herself.
In her 2020 Netflix documentary Miss Americana, Swift explained the pressure on female musicians to reinvent themselves20 times more
than men:Be new to us, be young to us…and reinvent yourself, but only in a way that we find equally comforting.
The Road to Success
In Hacks, Deborah is stalked by the same fear—that no matter her achievements, she is only one bad decision away from being branded a flop. Yet the prize for reinvention can be transformative. At season three’s start, everyone wants a piece of Deborah after the risk she took on her comedy special paid off.The aptly titled “Better Late” introduces a juicy plot arc for the season
.
Sustaining Longevity Through Connection
If prior seasons focused on comedy craft and relationship dynamics, season three emphasizes Succession-style strategizing behind Deborah’s career aspirations as she aims for a late-night talk show role. Meanwhile, Ava also climbs up as a co-producer on the successful sitcom On The Contrary.
A distinct queer theme runs through Hacks. It explores evolving identity through characters like Ava’s relationships with her girlfriend Ruby or Marcus’ journey of discovery. These stories foster connection with LGBTQ+ audiences.
The Symbiotic Relationship Between Ava and Deborah
The crucial message of Hacks? Beyond extra pressures on women is how Deborah and Ava thrive by supporting each other. Their bond—part familial, part professional—remains central.A hack does the same thing over and over. Deborah keeps evolving.
Follow Us
