What’s Worth Watching: Halt and Catch Fire Reboots Itself

Halt and Catch Fire, “SETI” (Sunday, May 31, 10/9c, AMC)

Sure, Season 1 of AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire had its missteps, but there was a dynamic story at the core of its four main characters, all struggling to be better versions of themselves while banding together to build a revolutionary personal computing device. But tonight’s Season 2 premiere almost serves as a clean slate for both the story and the characters, as the company that housed the majority of last season’s action, Cardiff Electric, shutters its doors, leaving Gordon (Scoot McNairy) and Joe (Lee Pace) with significant buy-outs. But the ladies take center stage this year as the action flashes forward to 1985 and tech prodigy Cameron (Mackenzie Davis) has teamed with housewife Donna (Kerry Bishe) for their new gaming startup called Mutiny. There are, predictably, hiccups in this new business, but both strong women compliment each other in unique ways, which makes it that much more interesting to watch both of them deal with a secondary parts dealer who decides to rip them off. The performances are mesmerizing, the period soundtrack is electric, and the premiere lays the groundwork for a very intriguing season ahead.