Season 4 shows absolutely no signs of slowing down as the comedic punches still hit hard while the drama behind Deborah and Ava’s fractured working and personal relationship is further examined. .... “Hacks” triumphantly evolves to meet the moment of its characters.

This new tense dynamic between the two leads is a terrific reset in their relationship that provides a wealth of both conflict and comedy. .... Each both respects and fears the other, and recognizes in them a true soulmate, which is what makes their work product so ingenious and their partnership so profound. It’s also what makes the show so magical.

Their show’s sublime fourth season, which premieres with a double dip of fresh episodes on Thursday, proves beyond any doubt that “Hacks” is a series with legs. And not just because Deborah, the Joan Rivers-coded diva character who fits Smart like a canary yellow Bill Blass dress.

Max’s “Hacks” remains a comedy gem in its fourth season.

This is their strongest season yet. It’s pointedly a Hollywood satire, as opposed to the broader showbiz satire it’s been up until now.

For the first time, Hacks can’t quite manage to stick the landing, but that doesn’t diminish the fact that it’s still undeniably one of the best things on television. The relationship between Deborah and Ava has never been more intriguing, and Smart and Einbinder have never been better.

“Hacks” remains strongest when it delves into the prickly bond between Ava and Deborah, even if it’s starting to feel like the writers are trying to find reasons to keep the two apart. .... Where it struggles is in building compelling narratives around them, and the season loses some momentum as it resolves its conflicts.

We were huge fans from the beginning - especially from the beginning - because there was a striving intention to be seen and heard by the primary characters portrayed by Smart and Einbinder. Lots of intelligent, edgy, dark, silly comedy emerged from that dynamic. Now that they've "made it" they're just bickering at each other. The series seems to have lost its way (this is based on Episode 1 in Season **** this takes a believable/watchable turn, I'm back in!)