Unforgettable TV Week: ‘The Last of Us’ and ‘Hacks’ Return in April!

On April 10th, 2025, Hacks makes its comeback, while The Last of Us starts on April 13th, 2025—two captivating tales that promise an unforgettable week of television.

Beginning April 10th, 2025, Hacks will be back on our screens, with The Last of Us following suit from April 13th, 2025—a week filled with two riveting stories that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

In today’s TV era, known as the golden age, it stands out for its versatility in traversing wide-ranging themes. It offers a mix of emotional turmoil and consolation, sharp wit and shattered realities – all in the span of a single week. This coming April, two highly praised shows from recent years will resume their journeys: “Hacks” on April 10, and “The Last of Us” three days later, on April 13, 2025.

Initially, these two shows may seem quite dissimilar. One is a sharp-witted comedy revolving around fame, while the other is a grim post-apocalyptic adventure exploring themes of silence, distress, and ethical dilemmas. However, upon closer examination, they share a fundamental essence: an unyielding portrayal of human relationships, and the suffering that arises from clinging to them.

Hacks Season 4: The Pressure of Staying on Top

Ever since its premiere, the show Hacks has made a distinctive mark in the television landscape. It’s a comedy that steers clear of clichés, a narrative about women that avoids stereotypes, and a depiction of ambition that is both unsettling and inspiring.

The fourth season continues from the previous one, with Deborah Vance enjoying the triumph of a successful comeback and Ava Daniels seeking her footing in terms of both career and personal life. However, success can be delicate, and re-invention can be draining. This season delves into the consequences that follow when you achieve your desires – and how quickly it can all crumble.

Jean Smart consistently gives an outstanding, career-topping portrayal as Deborah, skillfully depicting both her harsh facets and tender vulnerabilities, a character who stubbornly resists fading into obscurity. Her acting opposite Hannah Einbinder’s Ava is captivating, marked by sparks of intensity, unpredictability, and authentic humanity. The relationship between these two characters has always been the core of the show—it embodies mentorship with a twist of manipulation, friendship masked by ego, and mutual respect entangled in layers of resentment and affection.

The series delves further into the intricacies of the entertainment industry’s political landscape. Instead of merely discussing celebrity status, Hacks dissects it. We see complex power struggles in executive meetings and heated debates over artistic integrity. This season is less about humor and more about endurance – the emotional kind.

The Last of Us Season 2: When the Past Becomes the Enemy

As a film enthusiast, I’d say that “The Last of Us” swaps out microphones for improvised weapons and replaces showbiz glamour with soul-crushing tension. The second season kicks off following the world-changing choice Joel made at the end of Season 1 – the lie he told Ellie, the lives he took, and the repercussions neither of them could have foreseen.

Some time after the initial season, Joel and Ellie now reside in Jackson, Wyoming, where life is more tranquil yet peace continues to be unsettled. As Ellie matures, so does her skepticism. The bond that once connected them is starting to unravel—beneath it lurks a truth that persistently resurfaces.

Season 2 doesn’t just pick up where we left off; it takes the story to a whole new level. Characters like Abby are introduced, broadening the moral terrain significantly. The plot challenges viewers to grapple with conflicting viewpoints, including ones that might contradict our own, and to reevaluate everything we thought we knew about these characters.

What sets The Last of Us apart is its powerful emotional rhythm. It skillfully creates moments of quiet reflection, prolongs feelings of sorrow, and avoids hasty conclusions. When conflict erupts, it’s deeply impactful, and when tragedy strikes, it’s genuinely mourned. While the infected pose a constant threat, the true peril lies within – anger, remorse, and revenge.

Ellie’s adventure this season carries a strong emotional impact. She has transitioned from being a secondary character in Joel’s narrative, now taking center stage. Sometimes, her story can be difficult to listen to. Her development is marked by themes of loss, love, and self-discovery. In Season 2, she is given the opportunity to grow, not into a traditional hero, but into a more complex and authentic character.

Two Tones, One Shared Truth

In contrasting genres, both Hacks and The Last of Us excel in their depiction of complex, multilayered relationships. Deborah and Ava dance around each other’s emotional pitfalls, while Joel and Ellie carry a weighty silence that intensifies with every installment. These pairs are not fighting against one another, but rather battling their own internal struggles.

In the series “Hacks“, the arena revolves around creative freedom and reputation, while in “The Last of Us“, it’s about love and the struggle for survival. However, the level of emotional intensity is comparable in both.

In addition, they both delve into the concept of surviving in a world that overburdens. Regardless if it’s the sacrifice for achievement or the expenditure to preserve a life, these series ponder the same query: What sacrifices are you prepared to make to safeguard your most cherished treasure?

Watch Them Both—Here’s Why

For those who appreciate well-crafted character growth, intricate storytelling, and bold acting, there’s no need to make a choice between these series. Instead, they each offer unique perspectives that enhance one another.

“To have a good chuckle, ponder, and appreciate the struggle of two women against a world that undervalues them, give Hacks a watch. On the other hand, dive into The Last of Us, where laughter is scarce, but each instance of connection seems hard-won and indispensable.

On one hand, you have a side that’s bright and sharp. On the other, it’s dark and destructive. Yet, they are equally truthful about the price we pay for being human.

Mark the Dates

* The fourth season of “Hacks” will air on HBO starting April 10, 2025.
* On April 13, 2025, the second season of “The Last of Us” will be premiered on HBO.

This isn’t just a week of premieres—it’s a showcase of storytelling at its finest.

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2025-04-10 00:01