Halt and Catch Fire is set roughly one year after IBM all but corners the market with the release of its first major product – the IBM PC. In this fictional drama, a former IBM executive, Joe MacMillan plans to reverse engineer the flagship product of his former employer and forces his current company, Cardiff Electric, into the personal computer race. MacMillan enlists the help of Gordon Clark, a great engineer whose unrealized dreams of creating a revolutionary product have created tension in his marriage to Donna, and Cameron Howe, a volatile prodigy who puts her future in jeopardy to join MacMillan's rogue PC project. Halt and Catch Fire thrives on the spirit of innovation and explores what it's like to stand at the forefront of something world-changing and work towards it, no matter the risk.
The Texan company Cardiff Electronics gets a new employee from New York. He's apparently working for IBM, but after the he gets the new job it gets clear that he has a hidden agenda, and is not exactly what he claims to be.
Joe's team must overcome internal differences and start building the new machine.
Despite IBM's raid on Cardiff Electric's clients, Joe has convinced those concerned, most specifically Gordon and Cameron, to continue with the PC project. The company is in a much weakened state because of the raid leading to staff layoffs, which an ill-equipped Gordon is responsible for issuing to the affected engineering staff, and the search for investors for the PC project. Joe and Bosworth have differing views on where those moneys can potentially come from.
With a mid-project success with the BIOS code, Joe makes two bold moves within the office. First, he destroys the book that contains the IBM proprietary code, and second, he invites Wall Street Quarterly to do a story about their PC clone project. The story Joe wants written may not happen first because the reporter, Ron Kane, doesn't see what's happening as being newsworthy, and second as a crisis occurs in the office during Kane's visit, that crisis issue which may in turn be the story.
The Wall Street Quarterly article and Cameron being able to complete the BIOS code have created renewed public interest in the PC project, upon which Joe wants to capitalize, not only for the project but also for himself. Cameron is dismayed however to learn that Joe's suggested vacation for her was so that he could hire a software engineering team behind her back.
Cameron and Gordon clash over their differing plans for the computer's operating system while Joe struggles to connect with his colleagues.
The next phase of the PC project is design. Believing it could be aesthetically beautiful and not just another beige box, Joe is able to call in an old friend, top industrial designer Simon Church, to come up with a concept. Simon's arrival onto the scene has the possibility to alienate both Gordon and Cameron, but for different reasons.
Scandal rocks Cardiff Electric as the team finalizes preparations for COMDEX. Bosworth makes a sacrifice for the good of the PC program.
Unforeseen adversaries and new complications threaten to derail all that the Cardiff Electric team has worked for at COMDEX.
As Gordon and Joe prepare to ship the Giant, a suspicious defect calls their partnership into question. Cameron takes her future into her own hands.
In the Season 2 opener, Cameron and Donna's fledgling gaming company, Mutiny, finds itself at a crossroads. Meanwhile, Joe and Gordon are reunited in the wake of Cardiff's sale.
After meeting Sara's father, Joe begins a new job. Meanwhile, Gordon grapples with his new freedom as Donna is blindsided by Cameron's surprising hire at Mutiny.
The Clarks receive a surprising invitation as Bosworth tries to reconnect with his former life. Meanwhile, a problem from within Mutiny threatens its survival.
In the third-season premiere, Donna and Cameron explore their options to expand beyond chat. Meanwhile, Gordon settles in at Mutiny; and Joe launches his latest product.
While Cameron and Donna struggle to find venture capital, Joe hires a key coder, leaving the rest of the team at a loss.
Gordon and Donna's personal life bleeds into work, causing tension at the office; Joe meets with the MacMillan board.
Gordon enjoys success while Joe works to keep their web project afloat; Cameron extends a business trip; Donna launches a new venture.
Joe and Cameron talk on the phone; Donna promotes her assistant; Gordon's business buckles under pressure from a larger competitor.
Cameron promotes her game at an industry conference; Donna squares off against old rivals; Gordon struggles to support Joe's newest idea.
Complete episode guide for Halt and Catch Fire with detailed information about every season and episode including air dates, summaries, ratings, and streaming availability in United States.
This episode guide is organized by seasons, making it easy to track your viewing progress or find specific episodes. Use the episode information to plan your binge-watching sessions or catch up on missed episodes.
Joe and Gordon reunite to make Joe's vision a reality. Meanwhile, at Mutiny, tensions between Cameron and Donna run high in the aftermath of Sonaris.
Cameron and Joe cross paths again, putting Cameron in a tailspin. Meanwhile, Gordon searches for connection as he processes difficult news.
Gordon returns to California to reconnect with his brother, Henry, as Joe uses his newfound leverage to change Wheeler's thinking about computing.
Gordon and Donna harbor secrets from one another as Gordon launches a new venture. Meanwhile, at Mutiny, an acquisition puts Cameron's principles to the test.
Cameron and Tom try to come to terms at Mutiny's user picnic. Meanwhile, Gordon searches for answers as Joe and Sara say goodbye to Dallas.
Left reeling by the launch of a rival, Mutiny takes measures to ensure its survival. Meanwhile, Gordon pays a price in an attempt to quell his paranoia.
In the Season 2 finale, Gordon aids Joe as the Clark family descends into crisis. Meanwhile, Cameron envisions a new future for Mutiny that may not include everyone.
A game of laser tag teaches Gordon the importance of teamwork; Donna and Cameron disagree on their acquisition.
Donna and Gordon treat themselves to a vacation at home instead of camping; Joe and Ryan have a revelation; Cameron and Bos return to Texas.
An offer to purchase Mutiny creates tension; Gordon and Cam bond over video games while Donna has a weekend to herself; Joe faces off against the board.
Joe and Ryan face the consequences of Joe's decision; Gordon experiences a crisis of conscience; Donna and Cameron fight about the future.
Diane, Bos and Donna hit the road in hopes of building support for Mutiny; everyone else awaits the big day; Joe approaches Cam for a favor.
Donna tries to bring everyone together at Comdex with her vision of the internet's future; Gordon faces a strong-willed Joanie.
Donna's vision creates a spirited discussion over the next big thing, and how to achieve it. The end result may not make everyone happy.
Cameron buys a plot of land to recenter; Joe and Gordon hire a team of websurfers to map the web; Donna focuses her team on the mission ahead.
Donna struggles with suspicion; Bosworth hits a breaking point; Joe confesses to Gordon while Cameron faces past mistakes.
Donna makes a play for a heavy-hitter; Gordon confronts his daughter about an issue at school; Cameron finds a new fan; Joe sees a new side of Haley.
Joe and Gordon discuss Comet's future; Donna takes a vacation; a new collaborator challenges Cameron; Bos and Diane make a life-altering choice.
Cameron helps Donna pack up; Bos makes his famous chili; Joe helps Haley recover a memorable keep sake; Gordon and Donna fight.
Donna faces a professional crossroads; Joanie takes a trip; Joe unveils Comet's new look; Cameron asks a favor from a one-time collaborator.
Donna celebrates a milestone with her closest allies; Cameron contemplates saying goodbye; Joe confronts an uncertain future.