Watch The Wild West

The Wild Wild West was a Western action and espionage series that aired on CBS from 1965 to 1969. Created by Michael Garrison, the show followed two Secret Service agents, James T. West (played by Robert Conrad) and Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin), as they solved crimes and foiled villains in the American Old West. Set during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant, the show mixed elements of the Western genre with spy fiction and steampunk science fiction.

James West was a dashing gunslinger and sophisticated man of action, while his partner Artemus Gordon was an expert with disguises and inventions. Together, they traveled across the country on their private train, The Wanderer, as they were assigned special missions by President Grant. Using clever gadgets and their own wits and physical skills, West and Gordon would protect the innocent and bring villains to justice each week.

Some of their most common foes included power-hungry politicians, dangerous outlaws, foreign spies, mad scientists, and eccentric criminal masterminds. Notable villains included the wheelchair-bound but brilliant Dr. Miguelito Loveless (Michael Dunn), beautiful but lethal vixens like Miss Lily Fortune (Lee Meriwether), and old West outlaws like Colonel 'Bloodbath' McGrath (William Schallert). West and Gordon constantly found themselves in exciting battles, daring escapes, romantic encounters, and trying to thwart evil plots that threatened the nation.

At the time, The Wild Wild West was one of the most unconventional shows on television, known for its bizarre gimmicks and outlandish plots. The show incorporated futuristic technology, elaborate action sequences, and elements of magic and fantasy. Some of the memorable gadgets used included explosive pool balls, a sliding sleeve gun, tear gas cigars, a spring-loaded knife in a boot heel, and a bulletproof chain mail vest. Artemus Gordon was particularly known for his mastery of disguises, playing multiple roles in various episodes.

Unique for its time, The Wild Wild West blended genres decades before steampunk fashion and retro-futurism became mainstream. The show was also one of the early primetime series to feature extensive location shooting, such as desert scenes shot in Arizona. While labeled a "western", the show freely shifted to New Orleans, San Francisco, New York and other locales during its four season run.

With its quick-witted agents, creative gadgets, villains harboring nefarious plots, and action-packed storylines, The Wild Wild West was an imaginative adventure series that has remained influential over the decades. The show stands out for its daring genre mix, sly humor, and the chemistry between its two charismatic leads. Though some elements seem dated today, at its best, The Wild Wild West was a fun, exciting escapade into an alternate vision of the Old West.

The Wild West is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between June 2, 2013 and on National Geographic Wild