‘We decided this would be the story of the right idea at the wrong time’
SPOILER!
Dont read on if you havent watched the two-part season finale ofHalt and Catch Fire.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Lets start with the first half of the finale.
Credit: Tina Rowden/AMC
Why the time jump?
Oh my God, theres no Mutiny anymore, its completely empty!
What the hell is Joe doing with those two computers on his desk watching football games?
Tina Rowden/AMC
Did you always think you would hit the 90s?
The season finale brings everyone back together in the same room.
It read as such a bottle episode stage play akin to12 Angry Men, almost.
Tina Rowden/AMC
Was that something youve been looking forward to writing?
And did you ever fear that the characters had spread too far to believably come back together?
It was a thrilling concept.
But it was also incredibly daunting.
Is this compelling?Can we make people talk about HTTP and have actual stakes?
Its an episode where theyre looking back a lot and also looking forward at the same time.
It was really a way to look back at the series for us.
Donnas move at the end of the episode is a very Joe MacMillan thing.
Whats her headspace as shes driving away?
Is she Joe 2.0?
CANTWELL:Its funny you mention that.
Its definitely a little bit different for Donna than it would be for Joe.
But I will say that there are little subtle tricks and hints that we put in.
If that put hers in an adversarial role, so be it.
Gordon well, I just love Gordon.
I like to think Gordon will end up fine.
If the Internet pans out for him, hell be fine.
If he doesnt, hell be fine.
Is Gordon Clark fine?
ROGERS:[Laughs.]
I think the sad fact is that nobody is ever fine onHalt and Catch Fire.
I think Gordon is a guy who really wants to be part of a thing that matters.
But I dont think that hunger in him has been quieted.
And Id say thats also true with Gordon.
We love Gordon, too.
But we cant promise anyone comes out of this okay.
Why did you feel it was time to put Joe through these herculean hurdles?
Bos (Toby Huss) and Diane (Annabeth Gish) seem like theyve found their happy ending.
Not to say well never see them again, but was that last scene the culmination of their story?
Boating off into the sunset, more or less?
ROGERS:We wrestled with this for the finale.
We decided ultimately it felt false to get Bos in that room with them.
Hes a really beautiful, hopeful story.
Hes a guy that really reinvents himself and changes.
But I think what we love about Bosworth is watching him grow and adapt and do unexpected things.
Diane was a character we also really came to love.
To round out the character studies: Lets talk Cam.
You were just renewed for a final season.
Do you know what the last moment of the series is?
ROGERS:Oh man, I dont think that we do.
So were thrilled that we dont know what it is yet.
