The highly anticipated final season of the acclaimed series Hacks kicks off with its premiere episode, “EGOT,” a pivotal installment designed to re-immerse audiences in the show’s unique world. This “load-bearing” episode adeptly addresses lingering questions from the previous season, such as the fate of Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and the return of Marcus (Carl Clemons-Hopkins), while simultaneously establishing a fresh dynamic for the incomparable duo of Deborah and Ava (Hannah Einbinder).

Despite the inherent pressure on series creators Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky to deliver a compelling opener, “EGOT” maintains a remarkable zippiness. The episode efficiently sets the stage, grappling with the aftermath of Deborah’s final late-night monologue and the crucial question of her legacy. The pace is rapid, reflecting Deborah’s urgent efforts to wrest control of her public narrative.

A central conflict unfolds as Deborah confronts the formidable challenge posed by Bob Lipka (Tony Goldwyn). While Deborah was in Singapore, nearly incapacitated by drinking and karaoke, Lipka launched a coordinated smear campaign in the press. His objective was to undermine Deborah’s previous comeback, portraying her as unstable and incapable of handling the demands of late-night television. Even the dedicated Josefina (Rose Abdoo), with her burner account @JoyceGoldblattChang, found herself unable to counteract the pervasive negative publicity. Lipka’s calculated remarks to reporters, such as “It is a tough gig. Not everyone’s built for it. We all just hope she gets well,” perfectly encapsulate his manipulative strategy to discredit Deborah.