One of the things I will not “forgive” is that HBO Spain deprives us of the great comedy of 2021 until HBO Max arrived at the end of the year. But the wait was worth it because ‘Hacks’ had a sensational first installment and season 2, which opens today in our country, follows the same path.
The first episode (of eight that make it up) of this new installment starts right where we left off for the last time Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder) about to start the tour of reinvention across the country. The tension is palpable because at any moment betrayal can be discovered.
This betrayal and its consequences will be the main axis of the relationship between the comedian and the screenwriter, whose relationship of friendship and guide/disciple is challenged by this pothole. At least in the first two acts of the season (the six episodes that have gone to press).
Be at peace
And it is that both protagonists are aware that they need each other and that, although it is difficult for them to admit it, they learn a lot from each other. In fact, almost the first thing that catches your eye is to see how the characters have evolved between this season and the previous one. We already saw the emotional journey with the comings and goings but already from the first episode, we have a much more humble Ava.
The great achievement of ‘Hacks’ lies in the fact that the writers (Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky) they don’t stick to the typical odd couple friction. The characters are excellently written and interpreted and this helps a lot when it comes to standing out from the rest, even sometimes falling into a cliché of the genre (classic misunderstandings and discoveries).
I mean, Deborah is still a woman made for fame, her perks and somewhat childish in his quarrels; Ava continues to be that millennial/genZ that at times he thinks he is superior for being more woke up and open. The conflict between the two is good fuel, but they don’t burn it too much.
All this too is supported by the fact that the imbalance between Einbinder and Smart no longer exists that was appreciated in the first bars of the series. Perhaps not so much imbalance as hesitation with Ava, making it more of a Jean Smart show. While he’s still the megastar, there’s more to this season 2 tête-à-tête, less difference between the two on screen.
With these wickers, season 2 of ‘Hacks’ something more reflective is built in which its protagonists open up and accept their insecurities and personal tragedies. As difficult as it may seem, the script is always right when it comes to working and creating a joke with it.
This, together with a direction full of beautiful and inspired moments, make season 2 of ‘Hacks’ sand confirmed as one of the best comedies that we can currently enjoy. Bright, fun and delightfully chaotic.