Halt and Catch Fire: Season 1, Episode 5 "Adventure"

Halt and Catch Fire: Season 1, Episode 5 "Adventure" 

June 29, 2014


“Adventure” is definitely an adventure for our protagonists in this episode of Halt and Catch Fire. The writing is beginning to catch up with our characters. In other words, the show has some excellent character development. The episode also shows where Joe got his manipulative streak from- his own father, Joe Sr. played wonderfully by John Getz. In fact, this entire episode is about trying to find a father figure. Joe with his own father, Cameron with Joe’s father (until she realizes what a jerk he is), and Gordon with his intimidating father-in-law. Gordon becomes more developed here. The pilot introduced him as an alcoholic man with some high stage of depression-and that was not really shown until this episode. He had a very amusing sequence where alcohol causes him to insult Japanese businessmen.

The episode seemed to skip some weeks into the future. The article from Wall Street Quarterly was released and Cameron finally finished her BIOS code. Joe sent her away on vacation, but she was really sent away so a software engineer team could be hired without her interference. She comes back and is friendly with the majority of them but not the immediate supervisor. She takes charge during a late-night coup and a video game battle. Joe’s father comes to town which sparks Joe’s forward thinking. Gordon has an idea about how to handle the PC’s weight issues when he realizes LED screens exist. He has his father-in-law set up a meeting with Japanese executives. His alcoholism could be a mighty factor though, but luckily Joe decided to sit in the dinner with them. Donna is improving her relationship with her own boss at Texas Instruments which could signal the future for Gordon. Finally, after giving Joe a beatdown, Bosworth realizes he may actually need Joe as he is underprepared for an important meeting.

Overall, this is a solid episode. There are some humorous moments mainly during Cameron’s video-game contest and the end results. Cheaters and non-cheaters will be distinguished in an amusing way. This episode introduces the always lovable Cooper Andrews as one of the programmers, YoYo. Annette O’Toole shows up as Gordon’s motherly figure and although is not given much to do, she has a solid presence. Yeah, Joe still has that temper it seems. Poor Japanese car!

My Grade: A-

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