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| Left to right: Lee Pace and Scoot McNairy |
Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
There is so much that could've gone wrong with AMC's latest series Halt and Catch Fire. One doesn't need to look much further than last year's Low Winter Sun to understand this. With the inevitable realization that the network that has built acclaim akin to that of HBO is losing its premiere programming, it is trying to replace it with high quality shows that are exactly like their biggest hit. With Low Winter Sun, the idea of making a popular character actor into a gritty anti-hero a'la Breaking Bad seemed like a great idea (including David Costabile was a nice touch). Yet it was boring and cancelled after one season. The network continues to try and figure itself out, though nothing has really trumped the legacy of Breaking Bad.
That is for everything except Mad Men, which put the show on the map. The series, which ends its lengthy run next year, tackled ad executives and created one of TV's most stylish settings in the retro 50's environment. What show could possibly compete with that? The zombies of The Walking Dead surely can't. Even The Killing or Hell on Wheels lacks the drive. What is the period piece drama likely to replace it? That's where Halt and Catch Fire enters. Even its opening, which explains the show's title, is reminiscent of Mad Men. In fact, the only real difference is that it is set 30 years later in 1983 and involves computers and no suits.
On the bright side, it is far greater than the Low Winter Sun-Breaking Bad correlations. It is by miles. In fact, save for the gorgeous cinematography and shots of retro equipment, Halt and Catch Fire is already on its way of being its own monster. With two superb leads in Lee Pace and Scoot McNairy, the show tackles IBM's computer programming with poise and confidence. Even if the episode isn't the most engaging episode of TV this week, it does manage to bring a striking promise of things to come. There's promise of more gorgeous retro scenery, computer lingo, inspired song choices from The Clash and The Vandals, as well as Cameron Howe (Mackenzie Davis), who is the show's version of a rebel with punk rock aesthetics that plays arcade games all day. The show looks great and defiant to the AMC predecessors.
The only question now is if the formula is going to work. With "I/O," we get a sense of tone and atmosphere. We know these characters' family lives and what the stakes are. We know that they're fighting major corporations for their programming. In the modern age, it seems strange that computers were once deviant technologies. However, the embrace of circuit boards and language provides a nice, cool vibe that may become an endearing part of the series. With the first episode ending with the potential board meeting, it is time to see where the series goes next.
Does the series feel like it has legs, or is this yet another show in the long line of AMC's failed attempt at a second coming? After stumbling with series like Low Winter Sun and Owners Manual, the network seems to finally be recovering from an identity crisis. It is no longer the premium channel that has the best non-HBO cinematic shows on TV. Sundance Channel is beating it quite often. It has the programs still to compete, but it doesn't seem like it will for long save for The Walking Dead. Turn may have some audience, but it hasn't taken the world by storm. What is the channel's upcoming legacy that will keep it viable and relevant? It may be too soon to say, but Halt and Catch Fire may be the start of a new, interesting AMC that has tried to figure out itself for the past few years.
What gives Halt and Catch Fire legs is the idea that it is touching on something relevant. Mad Men got far because of its subversion on office politics and advertisements. Here, it may explore the ideals of what made computers what they are today. The cast is already impressively established with compelling chemistry. We don't really see how big the threat of big business is yet or where things are going. Also, it may play well into recent trend of stories of computer programmers that seems to be heavily influential in the culture. Think back to The Social Network and how it turned computer hacking into an art form. This series takes it to another logical step.
It seems apropos that this should premiere the week that Silicon Valley wrapped up its first week. While both are evidently different in genre and length, they both are working towards the same thing. They want to earn respect for computer hacking and making something revolutionary. Where Silicon Valley seemed to exist in a hushed manner, this premieres with the acclaim of the network behind it. It needs to be the next Mad Men without being a clone. So far, it is doing rather well. As long as it keeps playing an impressive array of old school punk and dance songs, this may quickly work simply on perfect 80's atmosphere not delved in kitsch.
By the end, Halt and Catch Fire's "I/O" is an impressive debut that may be a little slow in its start, but it looks like there's fire underneath its surface. We have met the characters and now we need to see what they can do with computer boards and their own rebellious nature. Is the show capable of being as lively and fun as its title suggests, or is it quickly going to turn into nothing but negotiations? Only time will really tell, but it has quickly become one of the most promising new shows of the summer. If anything, I will be watching the next episode just for that soundtrack. It is glorious.
What gives Halt and Catch Fire legs is the idea that it is touching on something relevant. Mad Men got far because of its subversion on office politics and advertisements. Here, it may explore the ideals of what made computers what they are today. The cast is already impressively established with compelling chemistry. We don't really see how big the threat of big business is yet or where things are going. Also, it may play well into recent trend of stories of computer programmers that seems to be heavily influential in the culture. Think back to The Social Network and how it turned computer hacking into an art form. This series takes it to another logical step.
It seems apropos that this should premiere the week that Silicon Valley wrapped up its first week. While both are evidently different in genre and length, they both are working towards the same thing. They want to earn respect for computer hacking and making something revolutionary. Where Silicon Valley seemed to exist in a hushed manner, this premieres with the acclaim of the network behind it. It needs to be the next Mad Men without being a clone. So far, it is doing rather well. As long as it keeps playing an impressive array of old school punk and dance songs, this may quickly work simply on perfect 80's atmosphere not delved in kitsch.
By the end, Halt and Catch Fire's "I/O" is an impressive debut that may be a little slow in its start, but it looks like there's fire underneath its surface. We have met the characters and now we need to see what they can do with computer boards and their own rebellious nature. Is the show capable of being as lively and fun as its title suggests, or is it quickly going to turn into nothing but negotiations? Only time will really tell, but it has quickly become one of the most promising new shows of the summer. If anything, I will be watching the next episode just for that soundtrack. It is glorious.
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