WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Hacks season 4, episode 9.

end of Hacks season 4, episode 8, the penultimate episode of Hacks season 4 also brings an end to Deborah Vance's time on her top-rated late-night show.

Although it seemed like Deborah's true colors were starting to show at the pinnacle of her success, Deborah ultimately couldn't allow Bob to fire her head writer and best friend after Ava accidentally leaked a story that damaged the entire network. With its fourth season, still fresh off winning Outstanding Comedy Series at last year's Emmy Awards, Hacks has become less of a traditional comedy and more of a commentary on the modern landscape of the entertainment industry.

While it looked like Hacks' location shift from Vegas to Los Angeles would be more permanent, making it Hacks fans who missed the classic feel and OG characters who have been largely absent this season, replaced by various guest stars and a heated Deborah v. Ava feud.

Deborah Throwing Away Her Late-Night Show For Ava Is Hacks' Most Remarkable Series Development

It Works For Deborah's Relationship With Ava & Speaks To A Larger Hollywood Crisis

After a hilarious opening sequence involving an inebriated Dance Mom (played by a wonderfully unhinged Julianne Nicholson) and a criminal amount of cocaine, Ava makes the mistake of venting to her former boss at a bar. Lewis, the head of a politically-charged variety show that Ava used to work for, takes Ava's loose comments about a movie studio protecting Ethan Summers, star of the blockbuster Shadow Soldier, and runs an exclusive story on it. This makes Ava look bad, as well as the studio, network, Deborah's late-night show, and the man at the top of it all, Bob Lipka.

Deborah is known for having strong opinions, but when it comes to Bob, whatever he says goes. Bob was the reason why Ethan, who was accused of domestic violence and inappropriate with minors, was a guest on the late-night show in the first place, against Ava's wishes.

When Bob told Deborah that Ava is fired, it seemed like the same ice queen who didn't bat an eye after nudging Bob to let Winnie go would hold strong, protecting her number one late-night show at all costs. Instead, the real Deborah showed up, lighting her show and career on fire to protect Ava. In doing so, Deborah reveals a dark truth in show business about how certain actors, executives, and the like have been protected by interested parties for the sake of preserving an image, promoting a brand, or maintaining box office appeal.

This development makes perfect sense for Deborah's relationship with Ava and the larger message behind Hacks season 4.

In a Hacks season that has highlighted the myriad ways in which women in entertainment have been wrongfully suppressed and mischaracterized for decades, this development makes perfect sense for Deborah's relationship with Ava and the larger message behind Hacks season 4. Deborah telling Ava, "There's no show without you," finally puts their roller-coaster feud to rest while becoming a standout (albeit surprisingly dramatic) moment in the series.

With Hacks' LA Story Seemingly Over, The Series Should Be Getting Back To Its Comedic Roots

This Is Great News For Characters Like Marcus, DJ, Kiki, & The Notably Absent Marty

While it was great to check in with many of Hacks' original characters, such as DJ, Marcus, and Josefina, in season 4, episode 7, one of the biggest criticisms of the season was that there were too many new stories and guest stars who stole their spotlight. This made the early series regulars more ing characters throughout Hacks season 4, changing the landscape of the show entirely. Some viewers loved the shift, some were less excited about it, but Deborah's definitive actions in season 4, episode 9, strongly suggest that the potential Hacks season 5 will get back to its roots.

Kayla and Jimmy also have their individual moments standing up to and being heard by Deborah in this episode, strengthening their neglected season 4 story arcs. Deborah's ability to finally it that the show has made her a bit of a monster became her saving grace. Although it's not mentioned, Deborah may have thought about how she neglected DJ all those years to put her career first and didn't want to do the same to her one true friend.

With one episode left of Hacks season 4, it will be interesting to see what Deborah and Ava can come up with in the wake of Bob and the network's non-compete clause. It could spell disaster despite Deborah doing the right thing, and could make Deborah regret choosing Ava over her show in the Hacks season 4 finale.