Halt and Catch Fire: Season 1, Episode 8 "The 214s"

Halt and Catch Fire: Season 1, Episode 8 "The 214s" 
“The 214s” is no doubt the best episode in Halt and Catch Fire’s interesting first season. A lot of action took place. Gordon becomes sane and acts like a leader! John Bosworth makes the change from angry boss to tragic hero with a knack for inspirational speeches…and a father figure. Donna has a decision to make because after all, her neighbor and former coworker of Gordon’s “knows what she is up to.” The episode, written with excellent character moments from Dahvi Waller and Zack Whedon, is an excellent, tense watch. And for the first time in a long time, the gang is back together! Breathing in the same room as one another. Wooooooow!!

John Bosworth is hauled away in handcuffs when it comes to light (with Cameron’s help) that he embezzled money from the company to keep the project afloat. Nathan Cardiff delivers a stop work order for the PC, now known as “The Giant.” The PC was going to be displayed at COMDEX, but those plans are in jeopardy. Joe visits his father at IBM and his father offers to take him back. Gordon decides to take charge from this new change and steals the PC. He gets Joe and Cameron to join him as they decide to hit the road to the computer convention. Donna has a decision to make about her marriage. Perhaps a revelation in her garage will lead her down the correct path.

This is an excellent episode and my favorite one of the season. Everything was at stake here; the project, marriage, careers, etc. Gordon had to plead with Joe to not go back to IBM and throw everything away. I felt his character change seemed a bit abrupt compared to his quirky, drunken, and depressed attitude from previous episodes. Anything to rid ourselves of Donna’s flirtations with her boss also helps!

My Grade: A

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