It’s only two days until Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) hosts her first Late Night show, which will be the biggest moment in her late career. But before the cameras roll and the crowd cheers, the fourth episode, called “I Love L.A.” of Season 4 of Hacks is a whirlwind of nerves, ego clashes, and unexpected advice. With Deborah and Ava (Hannah Einbinder) still not getting along and a studio watching their every move, the stakes have never been higher. The next few days are a roller coaster of getting ready, panic, and a sad realization. It’s a masterclass in both internal and external pressure.
THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS: TRAINING FOR LATE NIGHT WARFARE
In the beginning of the episode, The people working on Deborah’s show are working very hard to make sure everything is perfect because the time is running out. There is a lot going on in the writers’ room. There are jokes and story ideas written on index cards all over the walls. There is a lot of pressure on the writers to do well, but they know that this is the moment that could make or break their careers.
As the main writer, Ava (Hannah Einbinder) feels the weight of the job more than anyone else. The scene cuts to her squeezing a stress ball so hard that it pops. This is meant to represent how tense she is feeling. She is very aware of how important things are, and every choice she makes feels like it could ruin the show.
On the other hand, Deborah is stuck in an obsession in her own mind. She spends all of her time staring at herself in the mirror, counting her weight over and over, and skipping meals to try to look perfect. She works out as if she were getting ready to go into a boxing ring instead of a stage. It’s clear that this show is her battle and that hosting Late Night is the real test.
THE DRESS REHEARSAL GOES WRONG
The pressure builds to a fever pitch during the dress rehearsal, where Deborah’s nerves threaten to take control. As she takes the stage, her confidence is unmistakable, and she launches into a monologue that includes a sharp remark about the rarity of women hosting Late Night shows. But just as quickly as she begins, she freezes. The faces of the people in the audience fade away, and her heartbeat gets louder, drowning out everything else. Deborah has a panic attack and is filled with fear and worry.
Deborah trips offstage and thinks she’s having a heart attack at a very private moment. A doctor checks her vital signs and tells her it’s not a heart attack but a panic attack but Deborah won’t believe them. Pride and a good name are on the line, and she can’t stand the thought of being weak in front of her team. She feels like a failure when she admits she is weak, so she lashes out at Ava and blames her for what happened. She is sure that Ava’s writing is what is making her sick.
Ava tries to help by suggesting a way to calm down: Deborah should name things in the room to bring her back to the present. Deborah won’t have any of it, though. She takes out her anger on Ava because this panic attack feels like the end of her life. The rift between them grows as Ava, who is already under a lot of stress, has to deal with Deborah’s outburst.
MERRILL MARKOE’S CAMEO
Well-known comedian Merrill Markoe shows up as herself in the middle of all the chaos. She is brought in to help with the show, and Ava is hit hard by how blunt she is. Merrill doesn’t sugarcoat what it’s really like to be a head writer on a Late Night show. She warns Ava that the job is only for crazy people and that she shouldn’t expect to have a good work-life balance. Ava is already close to burnout, so this conversation isn’t just for the fans. It’s a wake-up call for her. When Merrill is strict, it hits home for Ava. She realizes that getting her dream job has cost her a lot emotionally.
DEBORAH’S EGO TAKES A HIT
Meanwhile, Deborah’s manager, Jimmy (Paul W. Downs), is struggling with his own insecurities. He books a celebratory dinner after the show’s premiere, only to be told that Deborah is dining with her first guest and network boss, Winnie (Helen Hunt). Jimmy’s hurt pride gets worse when Winnie, in her usual authoritative way, casually makes fun of him by telling Deborah that she needs to see a cardiologist to check on her health after her panic attack. Winnie tells Deborah, “I want to make sure I didn’t get a clunker” which makes Deborah not care. There are clear power dynamics at play, and Jimmy’s weakness is made clear as he has to accept his lower-level role in the high-stakes world of TV.
CAROL BURNETT’S HEARTFELT ADVICE
Deborah meets the famous comedian Carol Burnett at the cardiologist’s office. In this important scene, Burnett plays herself. Deborah is amazed, and the warmth of Carol’s presence is a big change from how tense Deborah has been feeling. As they talk, Deborah’s life takes a turn when Carol gives her advice based on her own long and successful career. She tells Deborah that when she performs, she should focus on one person in the crowd instead of trying to please everyone. Carol’s advice is simple but profound, and it helps Deborah see what’s really important in this stressful situation again. Deborah feels better after hearing Carol’s kind words, and the passing of the torch from one comedic legend to another is an emotional high point in the episode.
BACKSTAGE TENSIONS AND AVA’S STRUGGLES
Back at the studio, the strained relationship between Deborah and Ava continues to fester. Ava invites Deborah to join the writers for drinks after the rehearsal, but Deborah declines, using Stacey’s (Michaela Watkins) absence as an excuse. Ava, already emotionally drained, tries to brush it off, but the disappointment is evident in her eyes. The weight of her responsibilities is becoming unbearable, and she begins to feel the isolation that comes with success. Her dream job has become a personal burden, and the pressure to keep it all together is taking a toll.
In a quiet moment, Ava hugs Josefina (Rose Abdoo), her assistant, seeking comfort. The embrace is filled with unspoken emotion, a silent cry for support. Ava’s journey on the show has been rewarding, but it’s clear that the personal costs are starting to outweigh the professional benefits.
KAYLA AND JIMMY BRING CHAOTIC COMEDY
As always, Kayla (Megan Stalter) brings a touch of absurdity to the episode. Her antics — including questioning the sexual appeal of the Sun-Maid Raisins mascot and berating an intern for botching coffee — provide much-needed levity in the otherwise tense environment. Her interactions with Jimmy are a highlight, as he tries, and often fails, to manage her chaotic energy. Despite the madness she brings, Kayla’s moments offer a refreshing break from the intensity of the episode’s central plotlines.
THE WALK TO THE STAGE
The final moments of the episode are both breathtaking and emotional. Deborah walks from her dressing room to the stage for her big debut. The camera follows her in a single, unbroken shot as she moves through the studio. The anticipation is palpable, and the weight of the moment is reflected in her every step. She’s ready to face the stage, but whether she’ll succeed or falter is left hanging in the air.
As she walks, various characters — including her social media manager, Polly Draper’s Diana, and Jimmy — offer words of encouragement, but the burden remains squarely on Deborah’s shoulders. It’s a poignant moment that highlights the emotional toll of performing at this level, where every step feels like a monumental risk.
The episode ends before Deborah takes the stage, leaving the audience in suspense. The question remains: will she rise to the occasion or crumble under the weight of the moment?
In Hacks Season 4 Episode 4, the show masterfully delves into the emotional and psychological pressures that come with the pursuit of success. Deborah’s panic attack serves as a powerful metaphor for the anxiety and fear that accompany being in the spotlight, while Ava’s journey of personal sacrifice offers a sobering look at the costs of professional achievement.
From moments of vulnerability to bursts of comedy, Episode 4 strikes a delicate balance between humor and heart. The stakes have never been higher, and the emotional unraveling of both Deborah and Ava sets the stage for a thrilling next act.
Photos by Jake Giles Netter/Max
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HACKS (BIG, BRAVE GIRL) RECAP: SEASON 4 EPISODE 1 — EXPLAINED
