I can't believe there are still two episodes of the show left. I don't mean that in a sense of denial about only having a bit more to watch. I mean it in the sense that we've just gone through a huge emotional arc in the show, and I'm curious where it'll go to close things out.
Some have said an episode like "Goodwill" is absurd because it's not about the development of the internet. I think that criticism misses the mark. While the first season of Halt and Catch Fire developed characters while keeping its eye on the plot-the creation of the Giant-subsequent seasons have more deftly interwoven character growth along with some plot ideas. And here we are in the fourth season with a show still goes after big workplace ideas, but it has done such a fantastic job developing its characters that we can watch them all mope about a house for an entire episode and be completely gripped.
Gordon's death in the last episode was perhaps inevitable at some point, and it was a stirring conclusion to his arc. Watching his friends come together to work through their grief is incredibly moving television.
Donna struggles with the loss of a man she loved and probably still loves. Her daughters confront their new reality and clean out the house. Sharing an unspeakable loss gets Donna and Cameron to talk not just civilly to one another, but again as sisters. Bos plays a more paternal role, even getting Joe to stop what he's doing and eat.
This episode made me think plenty about Joe. HACF has done an impressive job shifting Joe from a self-absorbed lunatic who burns down the first shipment of Giants to a somewhat melancholy character, grounded in his love for Cameron, thinking seriously about his legacy, and mourning the loss of Gordon perhaps more than anyone. The writers of the show have done such a terrific job that you believe all of this. HACF has somehow covered 11 years in four seasons with only 40 episodes, but I believe every bit of character development I've seen.
Even in the end of the episode, one of the final shots is Joe with a little bit of mist in his eye, a man struggling to process his own emotions while supporting those of others.
What a fantastic way to slow down and let the characters endure the pain. I've rarely seen grief so well portrayed in media.
Some have said an episode like "Goodwill" is absurd because it's not about the development of the internet. I think that criticism misses the mark. While the first season of Halt and Catch Fire developed characters while keeping its eye on the plot-the creation of the Giant-subsequent seasons have more deftly interwoven character growth along with some plot ideas. And here we are in the fourth season with a show still goes after big workplace ideas, but it has done such a fantastic job developing its characters that we can watch them all mope about a house for an entire episode and be completely gripped.
Gordon's death in the last episode was perhaps inevitable at some point, and it was a stirring conclusion to his arc. Watching his friends come together to work through their grief is incredibly moving television.
Donna struggles with the loss of a man she loved and probably still loves. Her daughters confront their new reality and clean out the house. Sharing an unspeakable loss gets Donna and Cameron to talk not just civilly to one another, but again as sisters. Bos plays a more paternal role, even getting Joe to stop what he's doing and eat.
This episode made me think plenty about Joe. HACF has done an impressive job shifting Joe from a self-absorbed lunatic who burns down the first shipment of Giants to a somewhat melancholy character, grounded in his love for Cameron, thinking seriously about his legacy, and mourning the loss of Gordon perhaps more than anyone. The writers of the show have done such a terrific job that you believe all of this. HACF has somehow covered 11 years in four seasons with only 40 episodes, but I believe every bit of character development I've seen.
Even in the end of the episode, one of the final shots is Joe with a little bit of mist in his eye, a man struggling to process his own emotions while supporting those of others.
What a fantastic way to slow down and let the characters endure the pain. I've rarely seen grief so well portrayed in media.