WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Hacks season 4, episode 3.
Hacksseason 4, episode 3, “What Happens In Vegas,” brings Deborah Vance back to her stomping grounds in Las Vegas but crunches a handful of supporting characters into one episode. Following Deborah and Ava’s tense feud inHacksepisodes 1 and 2, the comedic duo decide to call a truce to prepare for Deborah’s late-night debut. Deborah disguises a writer’s workshop as a “retreat” to kick off the episode, until Ava encourages her to let her staff have fun so that they will produce better material.
Hackswas bound to return to Las Vegas, where the majority of the Emmy-winning HBO/MAX series has taken place throughout its first three seasons.Deborah held residency in Vegas for yearsand was one of the hottest entertainment tourist attractions. That is, until Marty curbed her residency at his casino, which sparked Deborah and Ava to come up with a stand-up special that revitalized her career. Now achieving her childhood dream of being a late-night talk show host, Deborah faces more pressure than ever to ensure her legacy in showbiz.
Mayor Jo, Loretta & Kiki’s Returns In Hacks Season 4 Highlight What The Show Is Missing In Los Angeles
Hacks Season 4 Thrives In LA But Is Missing Its Original Vegas Feel
Although original recurring characters such asJimmy, Kayla, and Marcus don’t appear inHacksseason 4, episode 3, the Las Vegas setting invites a slate of supporting characters, new and old. Poppy Liu’s Kiki, who was a series regular in season 1, returns as a blackjack dealer after only appearing in one epiosde of season 3. Similarly, Miss Loretta, played by Luenell, returns for her first guest appearance since season 3, while Lauren Weedman’s May Jo also makes an appearance for the first time since last season.
It would be one thing if Mayor Jo, Loretta, and Kiki shared a storyline together inHacksseason 4’s return to Vegas, but each really just stops by to say hello. Each character only gets a few minutes of screen time in the episode when they return, which is a credit to the actresses since each one leaves a hilarious and lasting impression. While they’re all great to see in the new season ofHacks, it’s unfortunate that we won’t see them more regularly in season 4 since they’re all back in Las Vegas and Deborah’s show films in LA.
Hacks' Supporting Las Vegas Characters Don’t Get Their Own Great Subplots Anymore
Hacks' Expansion To LA Has Boxed Out Some Classic Supporting Characters
In past seasons, we might have seen Ava and Kiki have a whole subplot together for an episode. We also might see Deborah have to spend a lot more time trying to exchange favors with Mayor Jo, or more time with Marcus, his mom, and Loretta. However, thatall has to be squished into one episode in season 4when they go back to Las Vegas. Not to mention that Marty, who has been a major character inHacksseasons 1-3, surprisingly doesn’t make an appearance.
Hacks’return to Vegas, however, introduces many new supporting characters on top of its classic ones, which is a benefit to the show. For a show likeHacksthat rarely ever exceeds a runtime of 35 minutes, there’s simply not enough screen time to pass around to honor the OGs properly and showcase season 4’s talented new character additions.
