Top 5 fan theories on how Hacks Season 4 may end the series

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the first three seasons of Hacks and opinions on Season 4.

Hacks, the Emmy-winning show on HBO Max, has hooked people with its sharp jokes and deep stories. As we all wait for Season 4 to drop, everyone's trying to guess how the show will wrap up. The people who make Hacks, Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky, have a solid plan for how they want the series to end, which has got everyone's imagination going wild.

There's this hot topic on a subreddit called r/hackshbomax where fans have been throwing around ideas. Some of these guesses are based on things Paul Downs said in an interview on NPR's Fresh Air in 2023. They're all about what might happen to the characters in the grand finale, like how their families might change or what new paths their careers might take.

Let's check out five fan theories that could shape the end of Hacks!

Hacks Season 4 fan theories

1. Deborah as a grandmother

One interesting fan theory going around is that Deborah Vance, played by Jean Smart, might get to play a grandma in Hacks.

A Reddit user named underscorepi threw the idea that,

“A lot of grandparents treat their grandkids better than their own kids since it’s their second chance.”

This would make sense because the show's already shown us that Deborah's relationship with her daughter, DJ, is complicated.

If they go with this, Hacks Season 4 could get into making up for past mistakes and fixing family ties, which would be powerful for her character. They've hinted at how tough Deborah's family life has been, especially her childhood and how she had to fend for herself.

So, seeing her as a grandma could give her a whole new kind of storyline, that adds to who she is and makes us feel even more for her. It would keep the show just as heartfelt as it's always been.

2. Late-night landscape changes

Deborah's late-night show dreams (Image via HBO Max)

Late-night TV has changed a lot, and some think Hacks might tackle that. It's like the show could be looking right at how things aren't the same anymore.

User edible_source pointed out:

“Everyone on there still seems to treat late night as this revered echelon of comedy, when in real life it hasn’t been in over a decade.”

Deborah's big dream of having her late-night show might lead to her realizing that those shows aren't the top dogs they used to be.

She might decide to try something more with the times, like starting a podcast or doing a show online. That would show the show keeping up with what's happening in real life, like how comedy is changing and growing. It would be a clever way of talking about all that's going on in the comedy world today.

3. Ava’s independent journey

Ava Daniels, played by Hannah Einbinder, has often been overshadowed by Deborah throughout the show, but viewers are expecting her to blossom into a star in her own right.

One fan Such-Community6622 had an interesting thought,

“Ava ultimately has to defeat [Deborah]. Ava needs to independently find success and surpass her mentor using what she’s learned.”

In Hacks Season 4, we might see Ava dealing with the challenge of juggling her dreams with the wisdom she's picked up from Deborah.

By the end of the series, Ava could very well find a way to stand on her own two feet, feeling satisfied with her personal and work life. This kind of storyline would show how complex the relationship between a mentor and their mentee can be, all while highlighting what makes Ava special.

4. Deborah’s redemption and retirement

Deborah faces off with her sister (Image via HBO Max)

A lot of Hacks viewers are rooting for a happy ending for Deborah. They want to see her grow in ways that aren't just about her career.

A Redditor named underscorepi had some thoughts on this. They said,

“One of the things I love most about the show is that it centers an older woman and highlights that voice and experience.”

Instead of her having a big, dramatic downfall, it'd be nice if she could step away from the spotlight in a way that's more peaceful.

She could focus on the people she cares about and maybe even find new hobbies she didn't have time for before. This would fit well with the show's message about being a strong woman and starting over no matter how old you are.

5. Deborah’s death

Some Hacks fans have quite a controversial theory that the series could wrap up with a tragic twist: Deborah's death.

A user named edible_source threw this idea into the mix, saying,

“The show will end with Deborah’s death—there’s no other ending that could have such gravitas.”

This idea is like picturing the end of the show where Ava gets everything that Deborah's worked for like she's taking over. It's a bit sad, but it's also a powerful moment where one person's story wraps up and boosts another's.

It's about what we leave behind and who we guide along the way.