Halt and Catch Fire

While Donna's vision inspires a spirited discussion about the next big thing and the end result may not make everyone happy.

No, I... the divorce.

- Well, you look good. - So do you.

Well, you should have seen him the last time I did.

Okay, and then we've got NSFNET.

Okay, uh...

And it's running on state-of-the-art NeXT hardware and software.

Cool. What are we saying?

- running on a NeXT computer. - In Europe.

Donna, it's not like this is the only thing we're doing stateside.

It's good to see you doing so well.

I feel like we're talking in circles.

It's not a programming language, it's just a text that accesses other texts.

But HTTP is the abstraction application layer protocol

- You do? - Yeah, I do.

One, it gets built very fast.

What is that? The future is just another crappy version of the present.

Yeah, okay, we can call it a day and reconvene in the morning.

(engine starts)

Hell, between us we got three kids

Had to be to get all you yokels in the same room again.

Nope.

(jazz music playing)

Well, I could pitch a terrible video game to Tom.

These days.

How about you?

you're free, he's free...

so if you don't want to come back tomorrow, you don't have to.

No, I mean...

So, you're saying everything we've talked about

or invent rock and roll.

This is the first Web browser,

And if the big idea here is the browser,

He broke his wrist, but he's okay.

but a lot of it was my fault.

The DSP in this cube is amazing.

Both: But hardware is forever.

It's been a weird situation for me, too.

- Okay. - Okay.

But last night, we... we talked.

All I was ever trying to do was help you.

Donna tries to bring everyone together at Comdex with her vision of the Internet's future, and Gordon faces a strong-willed Joanie.

Remember, respect the dirty bird

What's your position on Lam Research?

Hey, Donna. This is your area of expertise. Settle a bet for me.

We should probably get a move on if we want to get our reservation, Gordo.

How have you been?

Joe, this thing is perfect for her.

Here's your lunch.

Fun is very important to me,

Mm. Yeah. Making a video that screams

- Joanie? - Ugh!

Can you make it out to "Joe"?

Just like that, like a... like a switch...

It's amazing how much changes in just a few years.

and, uh, this was a lot of fun.

And enjoy the flight... the flight of your data, that is,

Here, help yourself to a lighter. No, just one, please.

You know, a lot of people think that pasta's Italian,

or as few as you want, as long as they're from the same row.

At first I was...

Anyways, back to the important stuff.

Bingo-rama. She works for Dad.

My parents got divorced when I was little, too,

100% synthetic

I love Space Bike!

It's really exciting and I want to show it to you.

Ah, it's the Bolognese.

Well, did you know there's a detectable level of cow piss in most milk?

the shit in your spaghetti.

I... I really am sorry.

and bring you some idea.

I know.

Diane, Bos, and Donna hit the road in hopes of building support for Mutiny; everyone else awaits the big day, and Joe approaches Cam for a favor.

He, uh... he did a stupid thing.

While it's true that the pace

Hey, I read the room as I see it.

Yes, I did, under duress, as I recall.

- Can you do it? - Mmm, no.

That's where you go to win most of the money,

it's bullshit.

who blatantly violated major legislation that went into effect this year.

What are you talking about? Did you hear the tape?

I mean, unless it's true there's no such thing as bad publicity.

No, I'm worried about him.

♪ We go out, the people are starin' ♪

I never had those feelings for Ryan.

alerting you to my activity, including the university mainlines.

I took the bus down to San Diego

Hey, if you don't want me to tell him where you are, I won't.

I guess I should make some plans.

- Hey, here's to going public. - To going public.

And all she needs to survive are gas, candy,

That's perfect.

That's the maximum.

But you would have done the same thing.

But you need some rest, Ryan.

CEO of Mutiny, a trailblazer

Bottom line... can I buy my shoes with it?

- Oh, here we go. Here we go. - Hey, look at that.

(sighs)

(knocking continues)

while I was sleeping.

I'm sorry.

I'm ready to leave this place.

Joe and Ryan deal with the consequences of Joe's decision. Meanwhile, Cam and Donna fight about the future and Gordon has a crisis of conscience.

and worry about the fallout from the lie later."

- Technically, I didn't. - Yeah, I proposed to him.

- Okay. - Thanks. Cheers.

before I cross this threshold.

I think that's... probably

Ah!... Yeah.

I'm counting on it.

A year. Maybe two.

that we'll need to put the brakes on any IPO

If you feel like I deserve a percentage,

All I am asking for is basically a finder's fee.

- This is a lot. - Yeah.

That is not her intent,

Aah!... just... a gross mischaracterization. I...

Don't you find it odd... the day we eighty-sixed NSFNET

- So, I'm fired? - Uh, yes.

thinks he got away with,

I can't just hand you a government contract.

Let's go fry some coders' circuits, Mrs. Howe-Rendon.

- Thank you. - You're a very lucky man.

I need to talk to you.

Okay.

Cam.

You made that clear. That's okay.

Lay out your vision.

It's an exciting time.

And isn't that what Wall Street likes? Growth?

We can't afford to be naive here.

Listen, I'm trying to explain some very real risks

who actually tries to make things work

No! I'm... sick of this!

Tensions rise over an offer to buy Mutiny. Donna has a weekend alone, while Gordon and Cameron bond over video games. Meanwhile, Joe has a standoff with the board.

but the universe just gives you a shit sandwich for your efforts?

- Why? - I fired them.

that you'd have our backs on this.

My actions have placed us at the vanguard

Wait, with these speed and capacity issues,

No! Ah! Sorry.

Here, here, here. You go. You're better at the cloud level.

Is everything all right?

That bid they just approved is half fiction.

No, no, no, no. Please. We just decided to drive up from Berkeley today.

You know, I don't even really care about the money.

I mean, you guys built something real.

I have enjoyed our time together, Doris.

This is insane. I'm EstimatedProphet.

Well, I like her, too.

Everybody says it passes so fast.

I know, but I...

Did you ever think we'd be here?

You know, it's getting a little late.

Give him credit for what he built.

You were waiting in my hallway.

- Mommy, Mommy! - Hi.

I'm happy, too.

Gordon and Donna decide to treat themselves to a vacation at home instead of camping. Meanwhile, Bos and Cameron return to Texas; Ryan and Joe have a revelation.

They make people's lives easier. That's the whole point.

that we'd have to adapt quickly. This is one of those times.

Yeah, NSFNET. Steve Wolff's baby.

I've been working on it for six weeks, I know.

Hey, when do babies start talking?

I forgot.

Yeah, well, mouths to feed. Work's work.

Right. I mean, you didn't say I had the day off, so...

You take it black, right?

("Nowhere Girl" playing in background)

I mean, she makes you better, right?

Uh, but, yeah, so the thing that we acquired,

Nothing lasts in this place.

♪ I see all my dreams come tumbling down ♪

And, oh, there's some...

I just tossed the ones you gave me on top.

We have not had sex

What?

(car horns honking)

Woman: Hey, how much for this jacket?

(knocks) Any word from the boss man?

- Didn't go. - Peaches.

- Pass. - (imitates buzzer)

Okay, I don't know exactly what we're looking at here,

about the lack of support for our monetary transactions.

We've all been working.

Mutiny charges my AmEx, adds five bucks.

Oh, and it's basically free because we don't incur a transaction fee

What?

Average people at home on their Apple IIe and Amiga

- Are you hungry? - I don't know, Joe.

Donna and Cameron have a hard time coming to a mutual agreement on their acquisition. Meanwhile, Gordon discovers the importance of teamwork through laser tag.

Maybe this'll help.

Oh, you surprised to see her?

- Donna. - I know.

I mean...

and I'm sorry about that.

- Beep-boop-beep. - Get out of my face!

This place is just quaint.

with a piece of the company. We married them.

Uh, 3-D graphics. Uh, AI.

but, yeah, let's... we're in it now, so...

What?

Are you implying that I don't have a life?

Is it a dead body?

Why won't you change that original block of PL/M?

Yeah.

I'm sure it looked ridiculous, but it was...

Excuse me. Can I, um...

and indulged in a copious amount of cocaine.

That was you, right?

I was worried you got kidnapped

Isn't that crazy?

and bail Topher out right away.

You should take a page from those carefree bastards

and in no universe would I approve of that.

But, uh, got plenty of time to whip him into shape.

Cool.

We don't need them.

All right, you've been ordered by Allied Command

Bodie, get down. You're in the line of fire!

We feel 100% confident.

but since she's not here...

So, how's the team-building coming?

There's minimal responsibility, maximum fun.

It's late. You missed the dinner.

They're a part of the deal.

Tensions rise at the office, as Gordon and Donna's personal life spills into work. Meanwhile, Joe meets with the MacMillan board.

You know I don't really have a choice.

♪ As long as we're together ♪

♪ But nervous all the same ♪

Just... yeah, we didn't really get to come to the city that much.

So whereabouts do you live now?

But I know the company is focused on user version 2.0 right now.

I don't even think the guys would have me back.

I got hammered and passed out at Joe's.

Do you want to make it sound any less important?

No, no, no. That's smart not sending all the bits through.

What?

- Why not? - He just didn't.

- I was talking about the mainframe. - No, you weren't.

- Oh, hello there. - No, don't get up.

No, he's our advance man.

what exactly do you mean?

I'm beginning to wonder that myself.

- Oh, hey. - Hey.

- It's the SwapMeet offer. - Oh.

Still managed to get on each other's last nerve.

Oh, pleasure to meet you.

I know I speak for all the investors

Well, production can have disks ready to ship in a matter of months.

What a surprise.

Yes. That.

(door opens)

And I hope I didn't make you feel

I just don't understand how the wind gets into Candlestick.

So we work through lunch a lot and then we, you know, have it later.

Oh, I'd say it's a lean, mean version worth about 400K.

You made a promise to people that you wouldn't charge them.

♪ The way we look to a distant constellation ♪

and there was just no real time to go back.

(engine stops)

You gonna tell me I'm a horrible person? Go ahead.

No, actually, he's incredibly talented.

but, yes, you're a student.

Hey.

While Cameron and Donna struggle to find venture capital, Joe hires a key coder, leaving the rest of the team at a loss.

Donna and Cameron explore their options to expand beyond chat. Meanwhile, Gordon settles in at Mutiny and Joe launches his latest product.

Mm, let me check the power unit again.

You know, once we're our own network,

He'll be covering our relaunch.

We know how hard it was to leave all our friends and family in Texas,

- Where is Joanie? - Getting dressed.

- I know. - So, can't he do it?

- It is temporary. - No, it's been six mo...

My, don't you look out of this world.

Well, I guess it's good that these guys' glasses are digital, then.

Are we still on? I know we said 9:00.

You know how your mom always says to close the door behind you?

The asterisk is a prompt for data. You can't mask that.

Users here, here, and here

Ryan, why don't you just send it to us electronically?

If you ask me, it's got Reagan's fingerprints all over it.

I just wanted to call and say I'm happy for you.

and I hope it hasn't caused you too much grief.

Hey, did you tell anyone else about my grandson?

- You sure? - Fine.

Yeah, you know, it's harder than it looks.

but the, um, joystick looks great, so...

Yeah, but this LZW compression is pretty cool.

Ooh.

Hey there, son. It's Dad.

Joe MacMillan knows how to hug?

You know, you... you feel...

moving everything out here, everyone, our...

Here, look!

But is this it?

Yep.

So, what do you think?