Halt and Catch Fire: Season 1, Episode 7 "Giant"

Halt and Catch Fire: Season 1, Episode 7 "Giant"
Gordon, the Cardiff’s team working man, is falling apart…and quickly. That is one of the biggest storylines we see in “Giant.” In the previous episode, Gordon gave Cameron’s idea backlash about giving the computer a personality type. This week, his gives even more backlash…this time to Joe regarding the computer’s aesthetics. We learn that Joe had a secret lover who is now dying of AIDS, and he works as a design artist. Simon Church, played brilliantly and emotionally by D.B Woodside, shows up with his input for the PC’s design. That storyline felt a bit superficial and contrived. It did not feel as developed despite the strong individual performances. However, the “Gordon falling apart” storyline and the storyline about Cardiff’s financial ruin held my interest.

With COMDEX looming, the next step in the PC’s creation is its design. Gordon believes the PC is good as is and any changes to the design means loss in function. Joe swings that thought aside and brings in his former lover to help add design and flavor to the box. This alienates both Cameron and Gordon. Cameron is jealous because she thinks she has feelings for Joe, and Gordon continually is ignored. Donna goes on a business trip with her boss and her boss may have the wrong intentions. So, Gordon stays home and parents his children in his own drunken way. He tells the girls a bedtime story about a fake fossil and P.T Barnum. This story leads him to do something that will worry Donna out of her mind. Meanwhile, Cardiff has run out of money thanks to the PC project. John Bosworth does not tell the group and decides to find last minute financial backing to keep them afloat at least until COMDEX.

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Joe’s storyline was interesting, but a little weak. I am getting frustrated at Donna and her boss’s flirtation that seems to be nonstop. Luckily, the rest of the stories are up to the challenge of keeping my interest. I really liked the ending as it proves just how far down the rabbit hole Gordon went. The episode was directed by Jon Amiel who proved himself with some solid Hollywood features.

My Grade: B+

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