Watch Mark Twain's Roughing It

Mark Twain's Roughing It is a comedic western miniseries set in the late 1800s and takes its inspiration from Mark Twain's semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. The show features James Garner as the older Mark Twain, who recalls his early years as a real-life adventurer and writer, alongside Robin Dunne as the younger version of Twain.

The series is divided into four parts, each an hour-long and set in different locations. The first episode introduces us to a Mississippi Riverboat where the young Samuel Clemens, who will eventually adopt his nom de plume of Mark Twain, is working as a cub pilot. He is initially daunted by the vastness of the river and the responsibilities of his job, but he soon learns to navigate through the river with the help of his mentor, Horace Bixby. Dunne portrays a young and optimistic Samuel Clemens, and his comedic timing and deadpan delivery perfectly capture the humor that Mark Twain is known for.

In the second episode, we see Samuel Clemens traveling across America to the Wild West, where he intends to work as a silver miner. Here, he experiences several misadventures and meets some interesting characters, including a Jewish peddler named Jacob and a Mormon man named Orrin Porter Rockwell, played by Adam Arkin. Samuel also encounters the Paiute Indian tribe, who take a liking to him and adopt him as one of their own. Along the way, he also meets a young woman named Olivia, whom he falls in love with. This episode is filled with hilarious scenarios that showcase Mark Twain's wit and humor.

In the third episode, Samuel Clemens moves to Virginia City, where he works as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper. He becomes a popular writer, and his articles, which are full of embellishment and exaggeration, make him famous. In this episode, we see him constantly at odds with his editor, Mr. Goodman, who despises Samuel's over-the-top writing style. We also see his relationship with Olivia develop further, but it is not all smooth sailing for the couple.

The final episode takes place in Hawaii, where Samuel Clemens travels with a group of friends, including the famous American novelist William Dean Howells. In this episode, we see Samuel adjusting to the Hawaiian culture and meeting King Kalakaua, who becomes a good friend of his. Here, he also has to deal with the tragic loss of his wife, Olivia, who dies from complications during childbirth. Despite the sadness, this episode still manages to bring out the humor in Mark Twain's writing.

Throughout the miniseries, there are several other notable characters, including the famous stagecoach driver Hank Monk, played by Brian Doyle-Murray, and the famous outlaw Ben Holliday, played by Brian Cox. Each episode is filled with hilarious situations that bring out Mark Twain's wit and humor in a way that only James Garner could deliver. The show also explores the themes of transformation, disillusionment, and the pursuit of happiness that are prevalent in the book.

Overall, Mark Twain's Roughing It is a must-watch for fans of Mark Twain's work, westerns, and comedy. The performances by James Garner and Robin Dunne are exceptional, and the show succeeds in bringing the humor and humanity of Mark Twain's writing to life. The show is perfect for binge-watching, and the witty and engaging storytelling will keep you entertained from start to finish.

Mark Twain's Roughing It is a series that ran for 1 seasons (4 episodes) between March 16, 2002 and on FilmRise