Hacks Season 5 Review

Let’s get back on that stage.

Season 5 of "Hacks" aired on HBO in 2026. After being banned from stand-up comedy, Ava and Deborah figure out how to get the comedian back onstage. From arrests, bribes, and arguments, it’s a long way back to stardom.

Here we go, the series finale of "Hacks." This show set the stage with a rich, dynamic narrative about carving out your way in the entertainment world. Season 5 of "Hacks" wastes the storylines and characters in a significant finale.

"Hacks" would be lost without the power dynamic between Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder as Deborah Vance and Ava Daniels. The pair worked very well off each other. Offscreen, the actors praise one another’s talents and have remained close throughout filming.

Deborah and Ava’s partnership is vital to the show, though I argue that it’s toxic. If the writing was any different for this season, I think the pair taking their own pathways would have been more exciting.

Smart once again proves why Deborah Vance is one of television’s greatest modern characters. She has a strong demeanor, but she is vulnerable. We don’t explore enough of that side of her. Smart delivers sharp comic deliveries.

As for Ava she is sitting around the entire time. Ava is a powerhouse who always finds alternatives for every situation. It was disappointing that this was all the writers could come up with.

The supporting cast continues to shine as well. Paul W. Downs and Megan Stalter are scene stealers, but there comes a limit. New cast members included Christopher Briney, Cherry Jones, Leslie Bibb, Ann Dowd, and Katya Zamolodchikova.

Unfortunately, the season’s biggest weakness lies in its structure. We really needed to spend more time on unnecessary porn moments, subplots of the misadventures of Jimmy and Kayla, and a mistaken-for-lesbians episode, rather than Deborah fighting for her comedy back?

This whole season felt like filler. Most storylines are forgotten, like Ava and Deborah dating different men. ‘The D’Amazing Race’ episode was hard to get through. It felt so misplaced in the final season.

Normally, final seasons have a purpose, having a clear resolution. Individual episodes contain strong scenes and memorable jokes, but they don’t always feel connected.

The series found its way in the last three seasons. However, I argue that Deborah’s revelation in the final episode should have been unveiled in the first episode. Then it could have been a major storyline throughout the season.

Similar to how Ava and Deborah are stuck on the couch, the writers felt that way, too. Just because Deborah can’t perform, the writers could have found more creative ideas to get Deborah onstage.

More shows have been taking the porn route lately. Porn has its own platform. There’s no need to take it streaming when you’re trying to enjoy a show after a long day. Deborah’s dream about appearing naked onstage, and Jimmy’s morning strip were so random.

Here’s a moment I can’t believe exists. Jimmy’s mistaken idea that a woman is hitting on him and actually believing Kayla that she wanted a threesome is so cringe. Writers couldn’t think of any other ideas?

What could have been a powerful and emotionally satisfying conclusion instead feels fragmented, as if several different storyline were competing for attention. It missed several opportunities to deliver a more compelling finale.

You’ll have opinions, but "Hacks" is a worthy binge on HBO. It’s a funny series. I wish the season finale could have been stronger. That poignant end-of-show feeling always resonates with me when a series ends.