Hacks season 3 premiere recap: "Just For Laughs"

In the season 3 premiere of "Hacks," Deborah Vance continues to dominate, both in her professional life, celebrated at the TIME 100 Gala, and through a less flattering impersonator at Caesar's Palace promoting slot machines. Meanwhile, her former joke writer, Ava, navigates her new life in Los Angeles with her girlfriend and a new job, but still feels the pull of her past with Deborah.

The episode converges at the Just For Laughs festival in Montreal, where Deborah and Ava's paths cross unexpectedly, reigniting their complex relationship. Amidst managing professional jealousies and personal insecurities, both women confront their feelings about each other, leading to a poignant yet unresolved reunion, underscored by Brandi Carlile’s emotive song "The Story" at the episode's close.