Ep 5. Falling

Hacks is a comedy-drama series that revolves around a legendary Vegas comedian named Deborah Vance, who hires a young comedy writer named Ava Daniels to revamp her outdated act. The show presents a unique bond between two women from different generations, as they navigate through their personal and professional lives.

In episode 5, titled "Falling," the relationship between Deborah and Ava becomes strained as they both face personal and professional setbacks. The episode takes a deep dive into their characters' emotional vulnerabilities, as they try to keep their cool under the mounting pressure.

The episode starts with Ava suddenly losing her apartment due to a fire caused by a faulty electrical appliance. The incident leaves her homeless and with no place to go. Meanwhile, Deborah finds out that her ex-husband is getting remarried, sending her spiraling into a crisis of loneliness and regret.

As the two women struggle to cope with their personal issues, their professional lives also come under fire. Deborah's showbiz career takes a hit when her upcoming Vegas residencies are canceled due to a competing performer's meteoric rise to success. Similarly, Ava's comedy script is rejected by the studio, making her question her writing skills.

All of these elements create an atmosphere of tension and mistrust between Deborah and Ava, leading to several confrontations throughout the episode.

At one point, Deborah demands that Ava pull herself together and find a new place to live, while Ava accuses Deborah of not caring about her or her predicament. Later on, Deborah lashes out at Ava, questioning her professional abilities and calling her out for being young and inexperienced.

Despite their disagreements, the episode ends on a hopeful note, as both women start to open up to each other about their feelings. Deborah shares her pain and insecurities with Ava, while Ava confesses that she's scared and unsure about her future.

The scene ends with the two of them holding hands and looking into each other's eyes, establishing a sense of intimacy and emotional connection that had been lacking before.

Overall, "Falling" is a pivotal episode in Hacks' first season, as it delves deeper into the show's central themes of loneliness, regret, and generational differences. It sets the stage for further character development, and leaves the audience eagerly anticipating the rest of the season.