HBO Max‘s beloved comedy series, with a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and multiple Emmy Awards, deserves more seasons despite its recent finale. Although the series creators have thoughtfully decided to end what is arguably the best HBO comedy series of the 2020s after five outstanding seasons, it’s still evident after watching the final episodes of the show that there is still so much love for this series and plenty of creative possibilities that are being left on the table.
Hacks just released its series finale episode on HBO Max this Thursday, May 28, concluding the five-season arc of the dysfunctional yet endearing relationship between fictional stand-up legend Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and her witty protégé and best friend Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder). Without getting into spoiler territory, the Hacks series finale offers a tasteful and appropriate resolution that clearly displays the passion surrounding the show. That said, it also makes it clear that this ending could have arrived at a later date with a few more seasons made in between.
Hacks Deserves More Seasons After Its Historic 5-Year Run
The acclaimed creators of Hacks, Lucia Aniello, Jen Statsky, and co-star Paul W. Downs, chose to tie a ribbon on their 12-time Emmy-winning series after five seasons and 47 episodes, officially bringing it to an end in May 2026. Similar to Jesse Armstrong’s perspective on ending Succession, one of the greatest HBO series ever made, after just four seasons, Hacks feels like it’s bowing out while it’s still very well in its prime. While this is certainly a mature and measured approach, it also leaves a lingering sense of disappointment, even dissatisfaction, in viewers, who would likely return year after year for more.
Deborah begins Hacks season 5 looking to resurrect her stand-up career after losing her late-night hosting gig in season 4, which ultimately brings her and Ava back together after feuding for nearly the entire season. As such, Hacks season 5 felt like it returned to its roots by narrowing its focus on Deborah and Ava’s mutual infatuation and scaling back on the Hollywood vibe of season 4, which brought a variety of A-list guest stars like Kristen Bell and Jimmy Kimmel. In retrospect, season 4’s story and setting shift nearly positioned Hacks to become a flagship annual HBO series with an industry-insider aspect that could have made it a modern-day Entourage, which is now being continued with Rachel Sennott’s I Love LA.
Hacks Could Have Been HBO’s Next Curb Your Enthusiasm
Ending Hacks at this time is undoubtedly a responsible decision that leaves zero risk to the integrity of the show’s legacy. After sticking the landing in its series finale, Hacks only reaffirmed that it’s one of the most exceptionally crafted and line-for-line hilarious comedy shows that HBO has ever produced. The only point of concern, however, is that the season 5 arc wasn’t necessarily pointing to an ultimate end for any of the central characters. While ending the series now feels wise, there was nothing ostensibly preventing Hacks from returning for at least one more season, nor were there any urgent story aspects that made the 5-season conclusion feel entirely obvious or natural.
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All things considered, Hacks season 4 felt like it was a revamped version of the series and was betting on itself for a 6 or 7-season run, placing it among HBO’s longest-running comedy series like Veep and Curb Your Enthusiasm. With its showbiz setting and characters you could follow anywhere, Hacks does feel like it’s cutting itself short after five great seasons, which is really a testament to just how good it is. A 99% overall Rotten Tomatoes score paired with Jean Smart’s consecutive Emmy dominance are such elite and consistent accolades that the idea of Hacks overstaying its welcome on HBO Max, where it’s currently the third most-watched show in the U.S., doesn’t even come to mind. Regardless, all good things must end, and Hacks did so with its signature poise and precision – it will surely be missed.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
