Hacks S04E04 - I Love L.A.

Another week another fabulous episode of Hacks fourth season. After three episodes of tension filled shenanigans between Deborah and Ava this latest episode showcases how true the friendship between the two women truly is. I genuinely cried tears of happiness watching the fourth episode entitled "I Love L.A." not because of deeply emotional confessions instead I was affected my even through strive these women showing the slightest bit of affection is so moving due to everything the two have been through all the ups and downs.

After the built up leading to Deborah's big first late night show we experience the veteran comedian experience a panic attack/stage fright during the day before rehearsal. Jean Smart has always been incredible as Deborah and this episode showcases how even with all the brilliant wise cracks and insults she gets to fire Smart is truly wonderful playing the woman behind the star that Deborah is. The moments of pause both during the rehearsal and later first taping are so moving as performed by Smart and so effectively show why she has won countless prizes for this performance during each season.

The rehearsal panic attack leads to a doctors visit for Deborah where we get a pretty incredible scene featuring 91 year old COMEDY LEGEND CAROL BURNETT playing herself in a brilliant meeting of legends moment that perfectly shows why I adore watching television. The reality of Carol and fiction of Deborah playing off one another gives both actors the chance to shine and is brilliantly written by the episodes writer Pat Regan and a standout moment from this great episode.

The conversation between the comedy legends about dealing with stage fright leads the episodes true height in recording Deborah's premiere monologue where through manipulation of sound, direct blocking and just warm-hearted glances between Deborah and Ava that proves even if both women are bickering they both genuinely care for one another. Hannah even if playing Ava through the POV of Deborah is just as wonderful as Smart where her subtle head tilt towards Deborah such a perfectly played gesture that speaks volumes that words don't need to.

The episode after this tender first part than transitions into more obvious comedic moments including Deborah living it up in a cage doing poppers at a gay bar and Ava having to purchase a dildo simply to save her car from being towed. Both great comedy sequences for both women then again returns to the warm with Deborah suffering an injury which results in us discovering Deborah listed Ava as her emergency contact. Seriously creators of Hacks you just trying to make me cry and want these women to get over their forced tension cause neither are better than when they are working closely together.

This was a marvellous episode of warm human moments and brilliant comedic beats that I was happy it improved over the third episode which while nice wasn't as effecting as "I Love L.A." was. Hacks is back on top NO DUH!