Lee Pace
Scoot McNairy
Mackenzie Davis
Kerry Bishé
Toby Huss

Created by:
Christopher Cantwell
Christopher C. Rogers

2014-
Drama
AMC
TV-14

“Halt and Catch Fire” just might be the computer-themed television series that I’ve (and we’ve?) been waiting for. When computers are the major theme of a TV show, comedy typically goes hand-in-hand; the “computer-nerd” characters become the butt of most of the jokes. But, in this show, drama prevails. I can take this seriously. It’s a refreshing change.

Another of its strengths is the use of the 1980s (this show starts in 1983) as its setting. That’s a good decade in which to set a computer story: Life’s relatively simpler, and technology’s on the cusp of making major leaps. And, the ‘80s style (i.e., the darker side of the ‘80s) really works for television. As a result, “Halt and Catch Fire” fits right in with “The Americans” stylistically, though their styles aren’t exactly the same: This show has more blue tones. Regardless, you can feel the pressure.

The score and sounds (e.g., the sound of a now outdated printer doing its work) expertly evoke this computer era. Plus, one of the lead female characters, Mackenzie Davis’s Cameron Howe, has a hairstyle reminiscent of Mary Stuart Masterson’s in films such as 1987’s “Some Kind of Wonderful” and 1989’s “Chances Are.” Lee Pace’s Joe MacMillan drives a black Porsche 944, which is reminiscent of the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am à la KITT (a modified third generation Trans Am) from NBC’s “Knight Rider,” which was on television from 1982 to 1986.

In its first episode, “Halt and Catch Fire” is paced deliberately yet not too slowly; the rhythms are just right. So, they seem to be on to something here. The writers and actors seem to know what they’re doing. I look forward to the rest of this season. …

The second episode simply sets up the conflicts to come. It’s a filler episode, but it isn’t a bad one. It doesn’t have the same pull as the previous episode, though. We’ll see what happens in the next episode. …

The third episode has a little more meat on its bones than the second episode, but not much more. It looks like “Halt and Catch Fire” will develop slowly, but it will develop. They’re establishing the principal characters’ personalities and motivations, so I’m content to remain patient. I think that all of it will pay off later on. …

The fourth episode is the best so far. Things are starting to deepen as motivations are revealed. You can feel the tension, and it’s easy to believe that anything could happen. But, again, “Halt and Catch Fire” is densely paced; it won’t work for everyone. …

After the eighth episode, I’ve determined that “Halt and Catch Fire” has finally found itself. In the middle of its first season, it gets into a groove that keeps things moving at an effective pace. I’m interested (not a lot, though) in these characters, and the actors definitely know what they’re doing. If you’re looking for a drama about computers that has a nice dose of suspense, then this is for you.

Note: At the beginning of the pilot, Halt and Catch Fire is described onscreen in this way:

“HALT AND CATCH FIRE (HCF):

An early computer command that sent the machine into a race condition, forcing all instructions to compete for superiority at once.

Control of the computer could not be regained.”

Verdict: Good Overall

About: (Source: haltcatchfire)

A former IBM exec reverse engineers the flagship product of his former employer and forces his current company, Cardiff Electric, into the personal computer race.