Amy Richau reviews the seventh episode of Halt and Catch Fire season 2…
In the 7th episode of Halt and Catch Fire ‘Working for the Clampdown’ all four main characters are forced to decide who they really are.
Gordon finally reveals his health issues to his wife Donna, but does not let his health issues slow down his new business idea. Even if Gordon’s work is literally killing him, he can’t ignore the ideas in his head. Gordon just isn’t Gordon unless he is tinkering with computer parts in his garage and thinking two steps ahead of everyone else.
Donna finds herself once again completely caught in between her personal and professional life. Everyone at Mutiny can see that Donna is a necessary balance to Cameron, and Donna’s commitment to Mutiny is clearly a priority to her. But Donna is clearly thrown by the news of her husband’s brain damage and is quick to tell Cameron she needs some time off despite all of the action going on at Mutiny.
Cameron has been on a roller coaster ride this season – one minute wanting all of the control of Mutiny, the next wishing someone would handle the business end. This episode brings Cameron her biggest decision – should she sell her company or should she stay independent. Both decisions have their risks and rewards and the strongest section of ‘Working for the Clampdown’ focuses on how she comes to her eventual decision to not sell the company.
Joe’s defining moment – perhaps of the entire series – comes at the end of the episode after he tells Sara that he is going to leave his job so they can get married and move to California. Joe realizes that the deal he so cunningly made with Mutiny will be torpedoed by Sara’s father Jacob. Rather than try and fix the deal Joe instead finds Cameron to warn her and chooses love over work. Joe’s decision is both shocking and satisfying for viewers who have been trying to figure out what truly makes Joe tick for two seasons.
Perhaps the real Joe has yet to fully be revealed.
Amy Richau is a freelance entertainment and sports writer. Follow her on Twitter.
https://youtu.be/rTcdL3-dh2c?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng
Originally published July 15, 2015. Updated April 14, 2018.
