Post by ikonoklast61 on May 23, 2017 23:50:15 GMT -5
After reading this, David Edwards asked me to post this here:
The Night of THE WILD, WILD WEST
Copyright Jeff Deischer 2013
The 1960s television series THE WILD, WILD WEST took place in the mythical West, not the historical West. Stories skipped around in time and place, sometimes without regard to true history – and anachronisms were not uncommon. While many of the episodes of series were undated, most contained some chronological information, even if it was vague or subtle.
Generally speaking, the events of the series were said to take place during the eight years of Ulysses S. Grant’s presidency: 1869-1877, but, as will be shown, this isn’t strictly true. Some of the episodes give us exact dates; some only years, while others give little or no information about when they occur. But many contain clues to their occurrence and a chronology can be constructed, with careful attention to these clues and a little deductive reasoning.
The biggest problem is of course those episodes that offer no information to their occurrence. To simplify the process, I decided that these occurred in the order that they were produced. But can we be more specific? I think so: We do have a rough guide to the timeline of the series: the ten appearances of Dr. Miguelito Loveless. His appearances occur in the order that they were produced – more or less, as it turns out – as they often reference earlier appearances. Therefore, the episodes lacking information can be placed according to the Loveless timeline skeleton. However, this method leaves us somewhat adrift for episodes aired after Loveless’ final appearance. In these cases, I tried to place the episodes with other similarly-numbered episodes. Still, much can be gleaned from an examination of the episodes.
Let us begin at the beginning …
Note: Episodes are listed by production order number (not CBS’ episode number), title and original airdate.
001; “The Night of the Inferno” (9/17/65)
This, the pilot episode, is the first to occur: James West and Artemus Gordon, though they have met before, become partners in this episode. West is a Captain, with ten years of cavalry experience. It is during Grant’s presidency. It seems to be cold in “the southwest territory”, so it is probably winter.
The agents’ supervisor at this time is Colonel Shear.
With evidence in 009 that the earliest episodes occur in 1870, this almost certainly takes place in Winter 1870.
002; “The Night of the Double-Edged Knife” (11/12/65)
It is during Grant’s presidency. West is a Captain, and served under General Ball at Shiloh (1862). This means that 001 can occur no later than 1872, because of West’s ten years of experience therein (they are, at the latest, 1862-72). West is clearly the boss here, indicating a placement early in the series.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this probably occurs in 1870.
003; “The Night of the Casual Killer” (10/15/65)
It is during Grant’s presidency. Tennyson, West’s butler who only appeared in the first three regular episodes (002-004) appears here. This means that these three episodes should be placed together.
There is talk of Artemus “returning to the stage”, indicating that he was an actor before joining the Secret Service, following the Civil War.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this probably occurs in 1870, with the other Tennyson episodes.
004; “The Night of the Fatal Trap” (12/24/65)
This is the last appearance of Tennyson, who is seen in the field here; he seems to have found the work too exciting. Vasquez implies that he found Linda Medford in Mexico City before Maximilian I was overthrown in May 1867, which would mean that West was in the Secret Service before this date: He and Linda met in Washington, DC and spent “weeks” together while he worked undercover (as “Harrison Briggs”) to apprehend her father, a counterfeiter. Based on West’s age given in 011 and other information in these early episodes, it’s highly unlikely that he was in the Secret Service in 1867. West mentions a presidential ball that may have been Grant’s inaugural ball in early 1869. Based on later episodes (primarily 042), we know that West served under Grant during the Civil War, and seems to have gone straight from the Army to the Secret Service following Grant’s election in 1868 (this would then make his ten years of cavalry 1859-1869).
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this probably occurs in 1870, with the other Tennyson episodes.
005; “The Night of the Deadly Bed” (9/24/65)
This occurs while Juarez is president of Mexico, who first came to power in 1858; he was killed in July 1872.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this occurs before 006, Loveless’ debut.
This story occurs in 1870.
021; “The Night of the Puppeteer” (2/25/66)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. There is no real evidence to place this episode, but we can make some speculations: Zachariah Skull was convicted “many years” ago. The US Supreme Court would not hear his case at the time, and now he has returned to take revenge on the nine men – so the court membership has not changed since his conviction. Although the names of the Justices don’t match our history, perhaps the lengths of their careers did. If so, then this story occurs between 1864 and 1870 (inclusive), because two members were replaced in March 1870.
This story probably occurs in early March 1870.
040; “The Night of the Watery Death” (11/11/66)
The agents save the life of Admiral Farragut, who died in August 1870. This episode therefore takes place before that.
Since 090 also features Farragut, in July, this episode must take place before that one. They do not take place near or at the same time, as Farragut is aboard the Virginia here, and the Missouri in 090.
This story occurs in spring 1870.
042; “The Night of the Lord of Limbo” (12/30/66)
This episode occurs “seven long years” after “a skirmish late in the war”, according to Colonel Vautrain. When he takes the agents back in time, he takes them to the Battle of Vicksburg (Nov. 1862-July 1863), and it is strongly implied that he lost the use of his legs shortly after this time, possibly in the last days of the battle. If this is the case, it seems to be mid 1870 here.
West, a captain, was Grant’s aide de camp at the time, between May 16, 1863 (Pemberton’s first retreat) and July 4 (his surrender). It is not entirely clear that Vautrain is traveling through time as he claims: While he grows younger as a result of his trip, neither West nor Gordon – who seemingly takes on the identity of another man (an ancestor?) in one case – do. Vautrain in fact calls this place an “other dimension”, and it is quite possible that he creates these other “times” with his mind; there is no doubt that they exist, however, because he dies in the 1863 Vicksburg one – his body and those of his men are not in the present when West and Gordon return to it.
The agents’ supervisor at this time is Colonel Falk. Colonel Shear seems to have departed with Tennyson, earlier in the year. This marks the only appearance of the agents’ secretary, Miss Unger. It may be that she is actually Falk’s secretary.
We know that West served at Shiloh, so he has served under Grant since that time, at least.
This story occurs mid 1870.
090; “The Night of the Kraken” (11/1/68)
It is “July 26” (or maybe 25), at which time Admiral Farragut brings the ironclad USS Missouri into San Francisco Bay. He died in August 1870, so this episode must occur before that, despite the suggestion that this episode follows 088 and 089. Since the series began in Winter 1870, it must be July 1870 here. This placement strongly suggests that Tennyson’s tenure occurred before this date – or in the first half of 1870.
We know that 040 doesn’t occur at this same time, although it deals with the same man and the same locale, because Farragut was aboard the USS Virginia in 040.
This story occurs July 1870.
009; “The Night of the Glowing Corpse” (10/29/65)
This occurs during the Franco-Prussian War, July 19, 1870-May 10, 1871. It also seems to be before the siege of Paris began on September 19, 1870, since there is no mention of it by Frenchmen; certainly it is before the fall of Paris on January 28, 1871. Since this cannot occur any later than December 1870, it places the first four episodes (at least) 1870 or earlier. If we leave the early episodes in the order that they were produced, with the exception of those giving specific chronological data, this would follow 005.
This occurs in Summer or Fall 1870, quite possibly August.
033; “The Night of the Man Eating House” (9/23/66)
Liston Day was arrested and sentenced on April 23, 1836, and spent “thirty years in solitary confinement”, according to West. This was due to actions in Texas’ war for independence, 1835-36, so it would seem to be 1866 here, which we know cannot be the case. West also says that the war was “about thirty years ago”, so it must be shortly after 1866. “It’s going to be cold here tonight” in the “bayou country” of Texas, so it is the middle of winter most likely. Due to episodes that occur early in 1870, it must actually be 1871 at this time.
This story occurs Winter 1871.
006; “The Night the Wizard Shook the Earth” (10/1/65)
This is the first appearance of Dr. Loveless. He is captured at the end of the episode.
This story occurs Winter 1871, based on 011.
007; “The Night of Sudden Death” (10/8/65)
There is no evidence to place this episode.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this seems to occur Winter or Spring 1871.
008; “The Night of a Thousand Eyes” (10/22/65)
Captain Coffin was blinded eleven years earlier. This seems to have occurred before the beginning of the Civil War, so it is no later than 1872 here. It is raining heavily near Springfield, MO so it is probably spring or fall.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it is probably Spring 1871 when this story occurs.
010; “The Night of the Dancing Death” (11/5/65)
Typewriters are a “new” invention. The first commercial one was sold in 1870, so it is 1870 or 1871 here.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it is probably Spring 1871 when this story occurs.
011; “The Night That Terror Stalked the Town” (11/19/65)
This is Dr. Loveless’ second appearance, a “few months” after 006. Loveless mentions that while he was in prison following 006, Gramme’s dynamo debuted. It was first demonstrated in 1871. As this was discussed as early as July 1871, we can safely place 006 in December 1870 (and probably a little later). This places not only 001-004 in 1870 or earlier, but also, because we are using Loveless’ appearances as a signpost, 005 and 007-010 in 1871 or earlier.
Named after his uncle James West, West was born on July 2, 1842. Since he had ten years’ cavalry experience in 1870, he enlisted no later than at age seventeen in 1859, and became a Secret Service agent in 1869, some weeks or months before 001 in Winter 1870; information in 004 suggests that West began his work for the Secret Service by Winter 1869, when he was 26. This in turn suggests that he went into the Secret Service when Grant took office in March 1869.
Loveless is captured at the end of the episode.
This occurs circa July 1871.
012; “The Night of the Red-Eyed Madmen” (11/26/65)
There is no information to place this episode.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it is probably 1871 when this story occurs.
052; “The Night of the Colonel’s Ghost” (3/10/67)
Gordon builds a model of a “land crawler”, “an idea of mine”, he explains to President Grant, for a tank-like vehicle that resembles Colonel Wolfe’s from 025 (in 1875), so this episode must take place before that one.
The murders seem to have begun recently, apparently following the death of Josiah Gibson: Grant stops to dedicate the statue of Colonel Wayne Gibson, who was killed in 1865; this was his father Josiah’s last wish. The murders are said to have occurred – and therefore begun – “lately”. This seems to suggest that Wayne Gibson has been hiding out at the hotel for only a short time, and not since the end of the war. He says that his body was “mangled”, and perhaps spent months or even years in a hospital. Several aspects of this case imply that it is soon after the end of war, and so occurs early in the series.
This story possibly occurs in 1871.
054; “The Night of the Cadre” (3/24/12)
It is warm and there are green leaves so it is probably summer when this episode takes place. Trask’s background suggests that it is soon after the Civil War.
This story possibly occurs in late spring 1871.
057; “The Night of the Jack O’ Diamonds” (10/6/67)
This occurs during Juarez’s presidency in Mexico, or before July 1872, when he was killed. West says that hasn’t met Juarez, placing this before other Juarez stories, such as 034 (in which the two meet for the first time).
This story possibly occurs in early summer 1871, with two other fifty-something episodes, 052 and 054.
058; “The Night of the Firebrand” (9/15/67)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency.
With no other evidence, this story possibly occurs with 057 and 059 in summer 1871.
034; “The Night of the Eccentrics” (9/16/66)
Emperor “Maximilian [of Mexico] was shot dead four years ago”, in 1867, so it is 1871 here.
The agents’ superior here is Colonel Armstrong. This makes Armstrong their third superior, between Falk and Crockett.
Also, West meets President Benito Juarez for the first time, so this episode must occur before any other featuring Juarez.
This is the first aired appearance of the fireplace escape on the train.
This story occurs in 1871, probably in the summer, due to 057, but before 046, the return of Manzeppi.
059; “The Night of the Assassin” (9/22/67)
This occurs during Juarez’s presidency in Mexico, or before July 1872, when he was killed. The agents are known to Juarez, so this must follow 034.
With no other evidence, this story possibly occurs with 057 and 058 in summer 1871.
046; “The Night of the Feathered Fury” (1/13/67)
It seems to be warm (there are green trees) and occurs during Colonel Armstrong’s tenure as the agents’ supervisor, placing this episode before August 1872, when Richmond becomes their new boss. It is therefore Summer 1871 here since Crockett’s appearance in a May 1872 episode rules out an early summer 1872 placement. Armstrong, unlike the agents’ other supervisors, wears an Army uniform.
This is the return of Count Manzeppi, of whom West says, “His specialty is figuring out what people will do.” Gordon calls him an “eminent tactician.” As he escapes Manzeppi swears to the agents, “We shall meet again”, but if they ever do, it has gone unrecorded.
The agents’ cook on the train is Mama Angelina.
This story occurs late Summer 1871.
086; “The Night of the Big Blackmail” (9/27/68)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. The architect of the secret plans for the embassy was killed in “1871”, so it is probably 1872 here.
This story occurs in 1872.
087; “The Night of the Gruesome Games” (10/25/68)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. It’s not July, as there are “unseasonable fireworks”.
This story possibly occurs in early 1872, with 086.
036; “The Night of the Bottomless Pit” (11/4/66)
There is little evidence to place this episode. Mauvais considers West to be a “young man”, so he is probably no older than thirty at this time, which would put this episode before July 1872.
This story probably occurs in early 1872.
048; “The Night of the Vicious Valentine” (2/10/67)
This episode begins on Easter. The agents’ supervisor is Colonel Crockett, who we know from 049 served in spring 1872. Crockett wears Western wear, which includes a bolo tie.
This story occurs about April 1, 1872.
056; “The Night of the Bogus Bandits” (4/7/67)
This is Loveless’ eighth appearance. The agents’ supervisor at this time is Colonel Crockett, putting this episode in late 1871 or early 1872 (his last documented appearance was in May 1872), making it Loveless’ third chronological appearance.
Loveless’ scheme this time is to seize control of “the territory”, but this seems almost secondary to his plot of looting a gold depository, territorial penitentiary and federal arms depot simultaneously. He begins this by opening a school for crime, which certainly takes some time, and cannot occur where we might like it: in order following Loveless’ seventh appearance.
Neither Voltaire nor Antoinette appears (the usual case in these later Loveless episodes). However, there is an unidentified dark-haired woman who stands beside Loveless when he is introduced; while this is not Phoebe Dorin, the actress who played Antoinette, perhaps the character is Antoinette. If so, this illuminates their relationship as he refers to Belladonna as “his consort”. This does not explain Voltaire’s absence; perhaps he is still in prison.
Although it seems to be warm (and there are green leaves), a woman frets that her assistant acts “before [the coffee] freezes over”, so it is cold after dark at least. Since we know that Crockett served in 1872 but do not know if he served in 1871, it is probably early spring at this time. It is during Grant’s presidency, which rules out an 1877 or later placement.
This story probably occurs early April 1872.
063; “The Night of Montezuma’s Hordes”
This occurs during Juarez’s presidency in Mexico, or before July 1872, when he was killed.
This story possibly occurs in early 1872, due to a number of Juarez-related episodes being placed in 1871.
049; “The Night of the Tartar” (2/3/67)
This episode begins on “May 9”, “five years” after the sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867, so it is 1872 here.
The agents’ supervisor in this episode is Colonel Crockett (though his name is not used in the episode, it is listed in the end credits). He seems to be the demarcation between Colonels Armstrong and Richmond; based on 048, he served at least more than a month, and quite possibly many months. Armstrong’s last recorded appearance was summer 1871 and Richmond’s first in August 1872.
This story occurs in May 1872.
085; “The Night of the Spanish Curse” (1/3/69)
This occurs during Juarez’s presidency of Mexico, so it is before July 1872, when he was killed. West is “famous” as a Secret Service agent by this time, so it is probably 1872 at this time.
This story occurs 1872, before July.
013; “The Night of the Human Trigger” (12/3/65)
This begins on “the fifth of June”. If this occurs in order with respect to earlier episodes, it is June 1872 in this episode.
This story occurs early June 1872.
047; “The Night of the Brain” (2/17/67)
This episode begins the day before “July 12, 1872” (as a newspaper says), which is “tomorrow”.
West’s company commander during the Civil War was Colonel Arnett, retired and living in Washington, DC when he is killed by the Brain.
This story occurs in mid July 1872.
014; “The Night of the Torture Chamber” (12/10/65)
It is “over a year” after 006 (Winter 1871), as the agents help “Governor Bradford again” at this time.
This story occurs in Summer 1872, probably in the month between 047 and 096.
096; “The Night of the Janus” (2/14/69)
This is the fourth and final Jeremy Pike episode; when he is introduced in 093, he and West had worked together previously. It ends on “August 18”. While it appears that this story occurs during the time when Gordon is in Washington, that period was a “few months”, centered on January and February. So this episode, taking place in August, probably doesn’t occur during that time. As Gordon is not mentioned as being in Washington (or at all, in fact), this may be when West and Pike first worked together, and not while Pike replaced Gordon when the latter was in Washington, D.C., placing this in 1872 – with Brown’s single appearance in 099 (see below). Otherwise, Gordon has been in Washington, D.C. for six months (since at least February), not just a “few” as is said to be the case in 095. In support of this theory is the fact that the gang is printing its own money – there is no mention of coins. It wasn’t until 1872 that the Denver Mint assayed, weighed and stamped gold ingots that had been processed by an independent firm.
This story probably occurs in mid August 1872.
099; “The Night of the Sabatini Death” (2/7/69)
West’s new (temporary) partner is Ned Brown, a chemist in the Secret Service. It seems to be warm. Sylvia, six years old at the time her mother was killed in a fire set by Boorman, that burned down the church, is now eighteen, so twelve years have passed since then. Boorman was “cheated” out of his share of the stolen loot when Nolan died in 1860 (actually faked his death and became Sabatini, whom West has met before; he became a crime boss in St. Louis with the stolen payroll), so it is 1872 here. If Brown is filling in for Gordon who is in Washington, D.C., then 093-099 all occur in that time frame: late 1871 through early 1872. This includes Dr. Loveless’ appearance in 093, which seems to conflict with his own timeline. However, no reference to Gordon is made herein, so he may be busy elsewhere, and not in Washington, D.C., meaning that this one episode occurs in 1872, and not all of the recent ones where he is absent.
This episode marks Colonel Richmond’s first chronological appearance. He is, according to 042, “the director of the Secret Service”. This statement has not been made about the agents’ other supervisors, and it is possible that they were not directors, but field supervisors who also worked under Richmond. This would explain, for example, Armstrong apparently interrupting Richmond’s tenure in 1874 (in 029).
This story occurs in Summer 1872, probably shortly after 096.
101; “The Night of the Tycoons” (3/28/69)
It is not cold during this episode, and with no mention of Artemus Gordon at all, this probably does not occur while he is in Washington over the 1876-77 winter.
Although there is no evidence to place it, it may belong in summer 1872 with other non-Gordon episodes.
This story may occur Summer 1872.
076; “The Night of the Vipers” (1/12/68)
Artemus poses as Ned Buntline, who returned to St. Louis in May 1873 for twenty-one years, so it is before that date here.
This story probably occurs 1872.
019; “The Night of the Grand Emir” (1/28/66)
It doesn’t seem to be cold out, so is probably not winter. “1860” was more than “twelve” years ago, but apparently not too much longer – Ecstasy says that she killed an Austrian prince, to which West responds, “There hasn’t been one killed in eight to ten years.” Artemus corrects him: “Closer to twelve.” Ecstasy explains, “It was before that – 1860, March”, so it is after March 1872 here. If the assassination of an Austrian prince in the 1860s was a factual event, I can’t locate the details. Further, West says that Ecstasy was “nine years old at the time”. Based on the age of Yvonne Craig, who played Ecstasy, the year would be 1880. If the assassination of the Austrian prince predated the Austria-Hungary union of 1867, it would be between 1873 and 1868 (inclusive).
In addition, the motive of the villain(s), the Assassins Club, is to gain control of the Isthmus of Suez, so that they can lease it to the Suez Canal Company. However, the Suez Canal was constructed from 1859-1869, when it then opened. The concessions for the land were obtained in 1854 and 1856, so none of this fits with either the chronological comments of the three characters, or the known chronology of the series. The final works were completed in 1871 – still shy of the twelve years following 1860. The only conclusion to be drawn (I think), is that the leader of the Assassins Club meant that the completed canal would be turned over to his organization, which would then lease it back to the Suez Canal Company. This episode must then occur before 1875, when the khedive sold his shares in the canal to pay off Egypt’s debt, as he is the one expected to turn over the Isthmus.
If West is correct when he says that the “Grand Emir” of the title is the Emir of the Ottoman Empire (as would certainly seem to be the case), then this must occur before the 1873 decree that gave the Khedivate of Egypt virtual independence from the Ottoman government. If this indeed the case, the Emir could exert control over the canal, which actually belonged to Egypt. Therefore, this episode seems to occur in late 1872, or early 1873, before the Ottoman decree (the month of which I cannot determine). Since it is not cold, this must then take place in Fall 1872, and not Winter 1873.
This story occurs Fall 1872.
023; “The Night of the Two-Legged Buffalo” (3/11/66)
It is cold enough that Artemus is worried about catching pneumonia, so it is probably winter. Other than that, there is no information to place this episode, so it probably follows the last in-sequence episode, 014 or 019.
This story probably occurs Winter 1873.
103; “The Night of the Plague” (4/4/69)
This begins on “March 12”, which is seen on a calendar. With a full moon during the story, this must take place in 1873, with a full moon beginning on March 14. Although it’s not clear what night the full moon near the end of the episode occurs on, this is the only date within the range of the story that a full moon begins.
This story occurs in mid March 1873.
092; “The Night of Fire and Brimstone” (11/22/68)
A Confederate soldier who took refuge in the mines in 1865 died and has been skeletonized by the time of this episode. We don’t know when he died, but it would seem to be several years after 1865 here (at least), or probably the early or mid 1870s: The fire in the mines, which started before the soldier fled there, is now ten years old. It is therefore no later than 1875 here. Therefore, this episode probably takes place between 1872 and 1874 (inclusive).
This story might occur in 1873.
018; “The Night of the Flaming Ghost” (1/21/66)
West says, “If the real John Brown had lived [until today], he’d be almost seventy-five years old by now.” John Brown was born in 1800, so it is close to but not yet 1875.
This story occurs in 1873 or 1874.
080; “The Night of the Death Maker” (2/23/68)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency, and before Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876. Additionally, Grant broke Dane of his command three years before this episode so it is no earlier than spring 1872 here, because Grant became president in 1869.
This story might occur in 1873 or 1874, with 082.
081; “The Night of the Fugitives” (11/8/68)
This occurs before Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876.
This story might occur in 1873 or 1874, with 082.
082; “The Night of the Doomsday Formula” (10/4/68)
West and Gordon have been partners for “the past few years”. Since they became partners in Winter 1870, it is before 1875 at this time, probably.
This story probably occurs in 1873 or 1874.
067; “The Night of the Arrow” (12/29/67)
This episode ends April 6, 1874.
This story occurs in April 1874.
029; “The Night of the Golden Cobra” (9/23/66)
It is not winter in this episode. The historical information regarding the Pawnee Indians seems to be inaccurate: Formerly in Nebraska, they were relocated in 1874 to their present home, in what would become Oklahoma. This episode would seem therefore to occur about 1874, but we know that West and Gordon’s supervisor at that time was Colonel Richmond. Here, it is Colonel Armstrong, who telegraphs them that they have received presidential citations for their last mission. Since he was the agents’ supervisor in 1871, he may be filling in for Richmond at this time, or perhaps, his name was said in error (he is not actually seen). However, Richmond is said to be the director of the Secret Service, not just the duo’s supervisor, so Armstrong may still be their supervisor, though he is rarely seen after Richmond is introduced.
This story occurs in 1874 (not Winter).
035; “The Night of the Returning Dead” (10/14/66)
This episode tales place thirteen years after the death of Carson, as “the [Civil] war was starting” (April 1861), so it is 1874 here.
Arte implies that he can play any musical instrument. Jeremiah possesses some sort of genuine psychic link with animals.
This story occurs in 1874 (not Winter).
020; “The Night of the Whirring Death” (2/18/66)
This episode occurs in “1874”, or three years after Loveless’ last appearance (his second). There are several elements that suggest that it is Christmas at this time. For example, Jeremiah Ratch is very reminiscent of Ebenezer Scrooge.
California has a new Governor, Lewis, who has been elected since 014. It’s suggested that Loveless engineered the financial crisis that the state is undergoing, but he certainly had some (unplanned) help from Professor Bolt, who drained California’s coffers to buy expensive art, in that episode.
This story occurs December 1874.
017; “The Night the Dragon Screamed” (1/14/66)
Although the details of his life stated herein don’t match reality, the only Chinese Emperor to die during the agents’ careers was the Tongzhi Emperor, who died on January 12, 1875. The parade shown in this episode may in fact be a Chinese New Year’s parade, which occurs in late January or early February.
This story occurs about the first of February 1875.
075; “The Night of the Underground Terror” (1/19/68)
This occurs at Mardi Gras (February), ten years after the end of the Civil War, or 1875.
This story occurs February 1875.
027; “The Night of the Murderous Spring” (4/15/66)
This is Loveless’ fourth appearance: Artemus says, “Three times we’ve caught him and three times he’s gotten away.” This confirms that this is indeed Loveless’ fourth chronological appearance, as he escapes in every succeeding one (his fifth through ninth). Also, this means that there is no untold case involving him before this story. Since his tenth and final appearance occurs in late 1876, his fourth through ninth appearances would seem to need to occur in 1875-1876, even if succeeding ones occur out of order. This episode probably occurs early in the year, since Loveless’ next appearance (in 032) takes place late in the year.
This story probably occurs in early 1875.
025; “The Night of the Freebooters” (4/1/66)
There is no information to place this episode, other than the fact that it is not winter at this time. Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this occurs between 020 and 027.
This story probably occurs in Summer 1875.
088; “The Night of the Avaricious Actuary” (12/6/68)
This episode takes place in “1875”.
This story occurs in 1875.
032; “The Night of the Raven” (9/30/66)
This is Loveless’ fifth appearance. “It has been a long time” since his last scheme, according to West, which was in 027: West says, “three times you’ve tried” to conquer the world (Loveless’ second appearance was revenge on West, so that doesn’t count as one of the three; this is therefore his fifth chronological appearance; we can also discount his scheme to attack three targets simultaneously in 056 in this count). Gordon mentions Loveless’ henchmen as “the ghosts of Christmas past”, so it may be near that holiday here; placing 027 early in 1875 and this one late in the year fits the “long time” remark.
This story occurs December 1875.
050; “The Night of the Deadly Bubble” (2/24/67)
It seems to be winter, as it is raining for at least two days in a row in California.
This story probably occurs Winter 1876 (as Gordon is absent in Winter 1877).
084; “The Night of the Pistoleros” (2/21/69)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. West and Gordon have been together “so many years” at this time, so it is probably after 1875, leaving only 1876 or 1877. And Gordon is worried about it snowing, so it is winter. With Grant leaving the White House in Winter 1877, it is probably Winter 1876 here; also, later episodes suggest that Gordon is in Washington, DC during most of Winter 1877.
We also learn that Gordon was a captain during the Civil War, and that Sergeant Charlie Tobin served with West at Shiloh.
This story occurs Winter 1876.
030; “The Night of the Big Blast” (10/7/66)
This takes place at Mardi Gras during Grant’s presidency. With other episodes mentioning this holiday, it is either 1874 or 1876 here. With nearby episodes (such as 025, 026 and 032) occurring at about this time (1875-76), this episode probably takes place in 1876.
This story occurs mid February 1876.
039; “The Night of the Poisonous Posey” (10/28/66)
There is no evidence to place this episode, but, using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it is probably 1876 when this takes place. If so, then the vacation that West and Gordon are on at the beginning of the episode may be a replacement for the one that they were recalled from in 030.
This story probably occurs late February 1876.
037; “The Night of the Ready-Made Corpse” (11/25/66)
There are plenty of green leaves, indicating it is during the warm months of the year. A tombstone in a cemetery reads “1872”, so it is no earlier than that year. Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this episode occurs between 032 and 041.
This story probably occurs Spring 1876.
038; “The Night of the Flying Pie Plate” (10/21/66)
There is no evidence to place this episode. Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it is probably 1876 in this episode. With 037 occurring in spring, this one probably does, too, with 026 (late spring) following.
This story probably occurs Spring 1876.
026; “The Night of the Burning Diamond” (4/8/66)
West has a “reputation” by this time, and he and Gordon are known as the “unconquerable duo” in government circles, so they have been together for some time at this point. Combined with an exhibition “to prove we’ve come of age as a country” (as West puts it), it may be America’s centennial – 1876.
This story probably occurs late Spring or very early Summer 1876.
069; “The Night of the Falcon” (11/10/67)
It is hot, and occurs before Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876.
This story possibly occurs in June 1876, with 070.
070; “The Night of the Legion of Death” (11/24/67)
This occurs in a presidential election year, so is 1872 or 1876. The territory where the episode takes place is “soon to receive statehood”. Colorado was the only territory to become a state during Grant’s presidency (August 1, 1876), so this must occur in spring or summer 1876.
This story occurs June or July 1876.
071; “The Night of the Running Death” (12/15/67)
This occurs before Colorado becomes a state on August 1, 1876.
This story possibly occurs July 1876, with 070.
041; “The Night of the Green Terror” (11/18/66)
This is Loveless’ sixth appearance. With berries dead on bushes and Loveless suffering from hay fever, this must be summer, probably July.
This story occurs July 1876.
043; “The Night of the Skulls” (12/16/66)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency (1869-1877). There is no evidence to place this episode, other than it is warm and there are green leaves. Combined with Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it probably follows 041.
West “hates funerals”, according to another government agent. This is Colonel Richmond’s first aired appearance. He is “the director of the Secret Service” at this time. This does not seem to be his first case with the agents, so is probably not his first chronological appearance in the series.
This story probably occurs Summer 1876.
044; “The Night of the Tottering Tontine” (1/6/67)
It seems to be summer in San Francisco, so therefore probably follows 043.
This story probably occurs Summer 1876.
045; “The Night of the Gypsy Peril” (1/20/67)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. It is warm in the west. There is no other evidence to place this episode. Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this follows 041. Perhaps not coincidentally, the agents are in San Francisco at the beginning of this episode, where the last one (044) occurred.
This story probably occurs Summer 1876.
053; “the Night of the Deadly Blossom” (3/17/67)
The King of Hawaii in this episode is Kalakaua, who took the throne in 1874, and reigned until the Bayonet Constitution in 1887. However, no treaty as the one described in this episode ever occurred. It may therefore occur in order with recent episodes.
“Three weeks” before the episode begins, a “thunderstorm” occurred, so it is no later than late summer here.
This story probably occurs in July or August 1876.
051; “The Night of the Surreal McCoy” (3/3/67)
This is Loveless’ seventh appearance. Morgan, his partner, says, “I found you in that mountain cave” … except that Loveless was not in a mountain cave in his last aired appearance, 041; his lair was underground in a forest, apparently in the Midwest. It appeared to have been dug from the earth, and was probably not a natural cave – it was certainly not a “mountain cave”. This suggests an unrecorded case, in which Loveless used a mountain cave, where he seemingly was killed (West says, “I thought you were dead.”). Interestingly, Loveless’ aide Antoinette is not seen in this episode, nor any later ones, which suggests that she was killed in the mountain cave, while Loveless escaped. This would then be the first chronological episode without Antoinette, as well, placing it between 041 (July 1876), her last appearance, and 093 (November 1876), which must occur while Grant is still president.
It seems to be neither cold nor very hot in this episode, although Gordon says “It’s a cold night,” which would indicate that it is spring or autumn at this time.
Loveless worked on his dimensional travel technology for “thirty years”, almost certainly before his first appearance in 006 (Winter 1871), or by 1841, apparently when he was quite young (Michael Dunn, the actor who played Loveless, was 43 at the time of filming; if the same holds true for Loveless, then Loveless may have been born in the early 1830s). This also explains how Loveless is able to organize a scheme relatively quickly: He has a partner and is using technology that he discovered some time earlier.
This story probably occurs in September 1876.
055; “The Night of the Wolf” (3/31/67)
While there are green leaves, it is cold at night so it must be early spring or early fall.
While the foreign characters come from central Europe, where Magyar-Croatian is spoken, I’m unable to find the deaths of any similar rulers during the tenure of the agents. Possibly, the royalty is actually quite minor, perhaps merely nobility.
This story occurs in early autumn, probably late September, and, using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, possibly 1876.
015; “The Night of the Howling Light” (12/17/65)
West and Gordon have been working together for “several years” by this time. Since they did this beginning in 1870, it must be no earlier than the mid 1870s here, 1875 or later.
This story probably occurs in 1876, or perhaps 1877.
016; “The Night of the Steel Assassin” (1/7/66)
Grant was a “junior officer” in “the war” “thirty years ago”. This must refer to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). It seems not to be cold at this time, so is either spring or fall, probably. Therefore, it must be 1876 here, the last full year of Grant’s presidency.
This story occurs Fall 1876.
060; “The Night of the Bubbling Death” (9/8/67)
There is conflicting geographic information in this episode: It is said to occur in the Texas Panhandle (the northernmost part of the state), but at the end, this region is said to be ceded to Mexico, with Mexican troops moving into the region of Monterrey, which is south of the southernmost part of the state. This area was fought over in the Battle of Monterrey in 1846, in which the Mexicans were forced to surrender. It seems as though there was a disputed strip of land along the Rio Grande during the time of the series that was given to Mexico by the US through negotiation. If this occurred in real life, I can find no reference to it.
Gordon, while in disguise, says that he spent “five years” in prison due to West, so it is probably no earlier than 1875 here, and it is during Grant’s presidency.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this story possibly occurs in autumn 1876.
093; “The Night of Miguelito’s Revenge” (12/13/68)
This is Dr. Loveless’ tenth and final appearance in production order. This is also the first episode that Artemus Gordon is working in Washington, DC, to be replaced for four episodes by Jeremy Pike, who has worked with West before, and then a number of other agents. Gordon was suddenly called away without West’s knowledge, indicating that this is the chronologically first of the episodes with Gordon gone. This would seem not to occur along with 099, which takes place in 1872 (and 096, which probably does), because of Loveless’ own chronology: In the early 1870s, he is working with Antoinette and Voltaire, neither of whom appear here. So Gordon seems to have been recalled to Washington later in the series, based on Loveless’ appearances. We know that it cannot be a year that Gordon appears in the series in January, February or March, at least. This rules out 1875 and 1876, and if the Loveless episodes occurred in the order that they were produced, any year before 1875 due to 020, placing Gordon’s Washington stay late 1876 through early 1877 (because it is still during Grant’s presidency when Gordon returns in 102; this is another factor to rule out 096 as occurring with this group, because it occurred in August).
Because of the recent Loveless episodes in 1876 (041, 051, for example), this episode probably was aired out of order. He was simply too busy in the last half of the year for his two next-to-last episodes (056, 065) to occur at this time. There is some poetic justice to this arrangement, for it means that Artemus Gordon worked Loveless’ last recorded case, rather than Jeremy Pike, which occurred in production order.
This story probably occurs in November 1876.
094; “The Night of the Camera” (11/29/68)
Set in San Francisco, the second of the Jeremy Pike episodes. With 095 occurring at Chinese New Year, this probably occurs in January.
This story occurs in January 1877.
100; “The Night of Bleak Island” (3/14/69)
The case ends shortly after “March 29”. This matches the weather, which is rainy and windy. Artemus writes to West: “Things are pretty much wrapped up here”; “It won’t be long before I’m on my way”; “See you soon”. This confirms that Gordon was indeed in Washington over the winter. However, it also presents a problem: When he returns, Grant is still president. If this occurs in April, as the date in the episode indicates, it cannot be 1877 because Grant had just ceased to be president at that time. 093 strongly suggests that it indeed winter 1876-77 when Gordon is in Washington, because of Loveless’ appearances, which means that “March” is in error. If “29” is correct, it must be January 29 rather than March 29 when the Moon Diamond is turned over to authorities (it cannot, of course, be February 29).
“Five years” earlier, West was in London, and worked with Sir Nigel Scott of Scotland Yard. This would have been 1871 or 1872, and Artemus Gordon’s absence in late summer 1872 suggests that West probably made a solo trip to England at that time. While West is familiar with the arch criminal Dr Jacob Calendar, his would not seem to be the case that the two worked together. In this episode, Scott is the expert on Calendar, while West knows little of his methods. Calendar died no earlier than 1872, and no later than 1874, it would seem, based on information in this episode.
This story occurs in the last half of January 1877.
095; “The Night of the Pelican” (12/27/68)
Also set in San Francisco, this is the third of the Jeremy Pike episodes. It takes place at Chinese New Year (late January or early February). Pike reveals that Gordon will be in Washington, DC for “a few months”. Based on information herein, this would seem to be November 1876 through February 1877.
This story occurs about February first, 1877.
097 & 098; “The Night of the Winged Terror” (1/24/69)
Frank Harper fills in for Gordon, who is still in Washington, DC, and, as in other Gordon-Washington episodes, Grant is president. With the placement of the Jeremy Pike episodes, this seems to be the only place that the Harper episodes can occur: after Pike but before Gordon returns. One of the days during this story is the “15th”, and, based on Pike and Gordon, this must be February.
The kinetiscope, which is an important plot device in the story, was not publicly shown until 1894.
This story occurs in mid February 1877.
102; “The Night of the Diva” (3/7/69)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. Artemus Gordon returns from Washington, D.C., so it is a “few months” after 095. This roughly matches information in episodes since his last appearance. Since it must be 1877, based on Gordon’s appearances in other winters, this must occur in February, before the inauguration on March 4, 1877.
This is Colonel Richmond’s final aired appearance.
This story occurs in late February 1877.
061; “The Night of the Cutthroats” (11/17/67)
There is no information to place this episode.
Since we know that Gordon’s Washington stay apparently interrupted the Loveless sequence of stories, it may be that the episodes continue to follow in order, with the exception of those surrounding Gordon’s absence.
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in early 1877.
062; “The Night of the Hangman” (10/20/67)
There is a “chill to the air” as evening approaches, so probably spring or fall.
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in spring 1877.
064; “The Night of the Amnesiac” (2/9/68)
There is no information to place this episode.
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in early 1877.
065; “The Night Dr. Loveless Died” (9/29/67)
This is Dr. Loveless’ ninth aired appearance. It seems that he is too busy for this to occur in 1876, suggesting that it follows his tenth aired appearance (093) (the latter then being told out of order). There is some poetic justice in this, in that with this arrangement, Artemus Gordon works the last recorded Loveless case, not Jeremy Pike.
If this is correct, then perhaps the final few episodes with Loveless should not be crowded into the last half of 1876, either – perhaps only 093 takes place then. Looking at the 1876 Loveless episodes, it appears that they do all occur at that time (mainly due to Antoinette’s appearances and absences), and it is only the final two that occur out of order, probably (or rather, the sequence is interrupted by the tenth, followed by the eighth and ninth). It is possible that this episode occurs in October 1876, but the set-up of this scheme would seem to require more than a month’s time, suggesting that it probably occurs after 1876.
It is warm and there are green leaves on trees.
The agents were in Sacramento “last month”; this seems to refer to an unrecorded case.
This story possibly occurs 1877, during the warm months.
068; “The Night of the Circus of Death” (11/3/67)
This occurs in May. If this occurs in order, following Loveless’ last appearance, it is 1877 here.
This story probably occurs May 1877.
072; “The Night of the Turncoat” (12/1/67)
Colonel Richmond is the agent’s supervisor, suggesting it is between mid 1872 and mid 1877 (or possibly 1880).
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in 1877.
078; “The Night of the Undead” (2/2/68)
There is no information to place this episode.
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in 1877.
079; “The Night of the Simian Terror” (2/16/68)
There is no information to place this episode.
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in 1877.
077; “The Night of the Death Masks” (1/26/68)
It is five years after the bank robbery that sent Emmet Stark to prison for life; he was apprehended by West and Gordon, so it is 1875 or later here. Colonel Richmond is the agent’s supervisor, suggesting it is between mid 1872 and mid 1877 (or possibly 1880).
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in 1877.
083; “The Night of the Egyptian Queen” (11/15/68)
Based on the European politics mentioned, it seems to be 1875-1878 at this time.
As with other recent episodes, this story probably occurs in 1877.
104; “The Night of the Cossacks” (3/21/69)
It seems to be cool, though this isn’t certain (there is no snow, however, so it is not winter). This occurs soon after a revolution in an Eastern European country where Russian seems to be the native tongue, but this seems to be a fictional event, as is the treaty that West mentions that prohibits white men from hunting bison. There were active efforts of the government as late as 1875 to hunt them to extinction. The revolution may be tied to the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78), in which Bulgaria was liberated. If true – and this seems doubtful based on what information is given in the episode – this would probably occur in 1878. Since it likely occurs no earlier than 1877 for a number of reasons (including Loveless’ appearances), placing it in 1878 seems safe.
This story may occur in spring 1878.
073; “The Night of the Iron Fist” (12/8/67)
It is hot and Bosnia has a new government. This may refer to the occupation of the country by the Austrian-Hungarian Empire in 1878, and Count Draja stole half a million dollars and fled his country, which has extradited him. So this probably occurs shortly after that.
This story probably occurs late 1878.
089; “The Night of the Juggernaut” (10/11/68)
There is no information to place this episode.
If the episodes with no internal evidence occur in order, this story possibly occurs in 1879.
091; “The Night of the Sedgewick Curse” (10/18/68)
There is no information to place this episode.
If the episodes with no internal evidence occur in order, this story possibly occurs in 1879.
022; “The Night of the Bars of Hell” (3/4/66)
West is to be the “first man in history” to be executed by electric chair. Historically, this occurred in 1890, and it is certainly not 1890 in this episode. So this is another point where the world of THE WILD, WILD WEST seems to diverge from our own. However, Scroggs, the self-described “electrocutioner”, says that he is doing “scientific research”, which suggests that electrocution is not an established form of execution at the time. The electric chair was invented in 1881 as an alternative to hanging at the behest of the state of New York. Perhaps they got the idea from hearing of Scroggs’ invention, and commissioned their own. If so – really the only way to reconcile the events of this episode with reality – this case occurs about 1881. Another clue that this takes place late in the series is that “many” of the convicts at the “territorial prison” were put there by West (the “territory” is therefore probably the Dakota Territory).
This story takes place circa 1881, during the warm months of the year.
024; “The Night of the Druid’s Blood” (3/25/66)
By this time, West has a “splendid record” and has accrued a lot of vacation time – certainly more than a year’s worth, so it has probably been at least ten years since he became a Secret Service agent, and possibly longer. Based on the weather, it is probably late spring or summer.
Dr. Robey is West’s “old professor”. When West attended college is not immediately clear. He certainly served his ten years in the cavalry in one hitch, and if this occurred just prior to joining the Secret Service, he would have been too young to go to college. He would seem to have joined the cavalry at the age of sixteen in 1858, served ten years, attended a semester or two of college and then joined the Secret Service – or attended college for a single semester before he turned seventeen, which seems highly unlikely, as well: It is implied that he followed Grant from the military when the latter was elected in 1868. None of these explanations are really satisfactory. Perhaps Robey taught classes at the Secret Service academy when West joined?
West’s superior in this episode is Colonel Fairchild. Since we know that it was Colonel Richmond in later years (1872-1877, at least; his earliest appearance is in 099, Summer 1872, and his last in Gordon’s return, 102 in February 1877), this story probably occurs after Richmond’s tenure – because Colonel Shear was West’s first superior, in 001 (1870), and we know a number of other supervisors until Richmond’s tenure. However, Richmond may still be the director of the Secret Service.
This story probably occurs May in the early 1880s.
066; “The Night of the Samurai” (10/13/67)
“Admiral Perry” took the Sword of Kuniyoshi more than thirty years earlier, or probably during his famous visit in 1853 (when he was a Commodore), so it is between 1884 and 1887 here (inclusive). Due to the television movies “The Wild, Wild West Revisited” and “More Wild, Wild West”, it is actually no later than 1885.
This story occurs in either 1884 or 1885 (not 1886 because 074 occurs at latest in Winter 1886).
074; “The Night of the Headless Woman” (1/5/68)
It’s cold near Sausalito, CA, so probably not summer. It’s after 066, 067 and 070, as Artemus reviews characters he played in those episodes. 066 occurs in the mid 1880s, so it is the mid 1880s here, or later. Due to “The Wild, Wild West Revisited” and “More Wild, Wild West”, it is no later than 1885 here. Since this occurs the year after 066, that places 066 in 1884 and this episode in 1885.
This story occurs in either in Winter 1885.
028; “The Night of the Sudden Plague” (4/22/66)
Dr. Kirby, who must be in his middle forties, studied under Dr. Joseph Lister, who pioneered anti-septic after reading of Louis Pasteur’s work in the early 1860s (Lister began his experiments in 1865). After this, he went to China, where he married a native woman and had a daughter, Anna. When he failed to save the wife of a local ruler, his wife was killed. Based on Anna’s age, it is some twenty years later here, or the mid 1880s. There is little other information to place this episode; it seems not to be winter.
Because of information in other episodes, we know that the agents retired no earlier than 1886. Therefore, Anna must be a few years younger than she seems; she could not have been born earlier than 1866, and almost certainly a year or two later.
Oddly, Nevada (identified by two nearby towns, Virginia City and Silver City) is identified as a “territory”; it became a state in 1864.
This story occurs in 1886 (probably not Winter).
031; “The Night of the Infernal Machine” (12/23/66)
The Statue of Liberty is referenced prominently in this episode. It arrived in New York in June 1886 and was dedicated the following October, when it was erected on Bedloe’s Island. This therefore is one of the agents’ last cases, in 1886, or perhaps 1887. With information in other late-occurring episodes, it must be 1886 here, no earlier than June. That makes it the last recorded case of West and Gordon.
The president is mistakenly referred to as “Grant” in this episode. Though he can bake, Gordon admits that he “can’t cook”. Anarchist Zeno Baroda was sent to prison “six years” earlier, but he was not captured by West at that time, because they meet face-to-face for the first time in this episode.
This story occurs in the last half of 1886.
“The Wild, Wild West Revisited” (5/9/79)
It is “1885”, and the two agents have been retired for “years” (but less than “ten”). The mission ends on June 19, having begun circa June 3, after the two agents were recalled in May and put through re-training. Therefore, this seems to occur May-June 14, 1885. However, we know that the agents were still active in 1886, so it is not 1885 here. So when does this case occur? It is during the presidency of Grover Cleveland (1885-1889 and 1893-1897). It’s implied that West has children who are at least a few years old when he is recalled to duty, suggesting that it is later than 1888, the last year of Cleveland’s first term; West’s children would be no more than a year old at that time. It therefore seems to be during Cleveland’s second term. The movie was made ten years after the series ended, and it is implied that the same amount of time has passed in the lives of the two agents. This means that the two agents probably retired in 1886, after 031, so that this story occurs during Cleveland’s last full year in office: 1896. With the months given, West and Gordon have been retired for nine and a half years using 1896.
It’s said that Loveless died five years earlier, in 1880. With 1880 being in error, it’s unclear which reference is correct.
This story occurs May-June 14 1896.
“More Wild, Wild West” (10/7 & 10/8/80)
It is “1890”. Benjamin “Harrison” is president. West and Gordon are recalled to duty following an assassination in “August”, and arrive in Washington, D.C. in “September”. After re-training, they begin the case in “October”. Obviously, this cannot occur in 1890 since it follows “The Wild, Wild West Revisited” in 1896. Keeping five years between the adventures puts this in the twentieth century, which feels wrong. If we place this in 1897, it keeps the eighteen months between cases that exists between airings of the two films.
This story occurs in September-October 1897.
The final fates of the Secret Service’s top agents remain unknown, though they must have returned to retirement after “More Wild, Wild West”: West just turned 55 that year, and Gordon was at least a few years older.
The Night of THE WILD, WILD WEST
Copyright Jeff Deischer 2013
The 1960s television series THE WILD, WILD WEST took place in the mythical West, not the historical West. Stories skipped around in time and place, sometimes without regard to true history – and anachronisms were not uncommon. While many of the episodes of series were undated, most contained some chronological information, even if it was vague or subtle.
Generally speaking, the events of the series were said to take place during the eight years of Ulysses S. Grant’s presidency: 1869-1877, but, as will be shown, this isn’t strictly true. Some of the episodes give us exact dates; some only years, while others give little or no information about when they occur. But many contain clues to their occurrence and a chronology can be constructed, with careful attention to these clues and a little deductive reasoning.
The biggest problem is of course those episodes that offer no information to their occurrence. To simplify the process, I decided that these occurred in the order that they were produced. But can we be more specific? I think so: We do have a rough guide to the timeline of the series: the ten appearances of Dr. Miguelito Loveless. His appearances occur in the order that they were produced – more or less, as it turns out – as they often reference earlier appearances. Therefore, the episodes lacking information can be placed according to the Loveless timeline skeleton. However, this method leaves us somewhat adrift for episodes aired after Loveless’ final appearance. In these cases, I tried to place the episodes with other similarly-numbered episodes. Still, much can be gleaned from an examination of the episodes.
Let us begin at the beginning …
Note: Episodes are listed by production order number (not CBS’ episode number), title and original airdate.
001; “The Night of the Inferno” (9/17/65)
This, the pilot episode, is the first to occur: James West and Artemus Gordon, though they have met before, become partners in this episode. West is a Captain, with ten years of cavalry experience. It is during Grant’s presidency. It seems to be cold in “the southwest territory”, so it is probably winter.
The agents’ supervisor at this time is Colonel Shear.
With evidence in 009 that the earliest episodes occur in 1870, this almost certainly takes place in Winter 1870.
002; “The Night of the Double-Edged Knife” (11/12/65)
It is during Grant’s presidency. West is a Captain, and served under General Ball at Shiloh (1862). This means that 001 can occur no later than 1872, because of West’s ten years of experience therein (they are, at the latest, 1862-72). West is clearly the boss here, indicating a placement early in the series.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this probably occurs in 1870.
003; “The Night of the Casual Killer” (10/15/65)
It is during Grant’s presidency. Tennyson, West’s butler who only appeared in the first three regular episodes (002-004) appears here. This means that these three episodes should be placed together.
There is talk of Artemus “returning to the stage”, indicating that he was an actor before joining the Secret Service, following the Civil War.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this probably occurs in 1870, with the other Tennyson episodes.
004; “The Night of the Fatal Trap” (12/24/65)
This is the last appearance of Tennyson, who is seen in the field here; he seems to have found the work too exciting. Vasquez implies that he found Linda Medford in Mexico City before Maximilian I was overthrown in May 1867, which would mean that West was in the Secret Service before this date: He and Linda met in Washington, DC and spent “weeks” together while he worked undercover (as “Harrison Briggs”) to apprehend her father, a counterfeiter. Based on West’s age given in 011 and other information in these early episodes, it’s highly unlikely that he was in the Secret Service in 1867. West mentions a presidential ball that may have been Grant’s inaugural ball in early 1869. Based on later episodes (primarily 042), we know that West served under Grant during the Civil War, and seems to have gone straight from the Army to the Secret Service following Grant’s election in 1868 (this would then make his ten years of cavalry 1859-1869).
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this probably occurs in 1870, with the other Tennyson episodes.
005; “The Night of the Deadly Bed” (9/24/65)
This occurs while Juarez is president of Mexico, who first came to power in 1858; he was killed in July 1872.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this occurs before 006, Loveless’ debut.
This story occurs in 1870.
021; “The Night of the Puppeteer” (2/25/66)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. There is no real evidence to place this episode, but we can make some speculations: Zachariah Skull was convicted “many years” ago. The US Supreme Court would not hear his case at the time, and now he has returned to take revenge on the nine men – so the court membership has not changed since his conviction. Although the names of the Justices don’t match our history, perhaps the lengths of their careers did. If so, then this story occurs between 1864 and 1870 (inclusive), because two members were replaced in March 1870.
This story probably occurs in early March 1870.
040; “The Night of the Watery Death” (11/11/66)
The agents save the life of Admiral Farragut, who died in August 1870. This episode therefore takes place before that.
Since 090 also features Farragut, in July, this episode must take place before that one. They do not take place near or at the same time, as Farragut is aboard the Virginia here, and the Missouri in 090.
This story occurs in spring 1870.
042; “The Night of the Lord of Limbo” (12/30/66)
This episode occurs “seven long years” after “a skirmish late in the war”, according to Colonel Vautrain. When he takes the agents back in time, he takes them to the Battle of Vicksburg (Nov. 1862-July 1863), and it is strongly implied that he lost the use of his legs shortly after this time, possibly in the last days of the battle. If this is the case, it seems to be mid 1870 here.
West, a captain, was Grant’s aide de camp at the time, between May 16, 1863 (Pemberton’s first retreat) and July 4 (his surrender). It is not entirely clear that Vautrain is traveling through time as he claims: While he grows younger as a result of his trip, neither West nor Gordon – who seemingly takes on the identity of another man (an ancestor?) in one case – do. Vautrain in fact calls this place an “other dimension”, and it is quite possible that he creates these other “times” with his mind; there is no doubt that they exist, however, because he dies in the 1863 Vicksburg one – his body and those of his men are not in the present when West and Gordon return to it.
The agents’ supervisor at this time is Colonel Falk. Colonel Shear seems to have departed with Tennyson, earlier in the year. This marks the only appearance of the agents’ secretary, Miss Unger. It may be that she is actually Falk’s secretary.
We know that West served at Shiloh, so he has served under Grant since that time, at least.
This story occurs mid 1870.
090; “The Night of the Kraken” (11/1/68)
It is “July 26” (or maybe 25), at which time Admiral Farragut brings the ironclad USS Missouri into San Francisco Bay. He died in August 1870, so this episode must occur before that, despite the suggestion that this episode follows 088 and 089. Since the series began in Winter 1870, it must be July 1870 here. This placement strongly suggests that Tennyson’s tenure occurred before this date – or in the first half of 1870.
We know that 040 doesn’t occur at this same time, although it deals with the same man and the same locale, because Farragut was aboard the USS Virginia in 040.
This story occurs July 1870.
009; “The Night of the Glowing Corpse” (10/29/65)
This occurs during the Franco-Prussian War, July 19, 1870-May 10, 1871. It also seems to be before the siege of Paris began on September 19, 1870, since there is no mention of it by Frenchmen; certainly it is before the fall of Paris on January 28, 1871. Since this cannot occur any later than December 1870, it places the first four episodes (at least) 1870 or earlier. If we leave the early episodes in the order that they were produced, with the exception of those giving specific chronological data, this would follow 005.
This occurs in Summer or Fall 1870, quite possibly August.
033; “The Night of the Man Eating House” (9/23/66)
Liston Day was arrested and sentenced on April 23, 1836, and spent “thirty years in solitary confinement”, according to West. This was due to actions in Texas’ war for independence, 1835-36, so it would seem to be 1866 here, which we know cannot be the case. West also says that the war was “about thirty years ago”, so it must be shortly after 1866. “It’s going to be cold here tonight” in the “bayou country” of Texas, so it is the middle of winter most likely. Due to episodes that occur early in 1870, it must actually be 1871 at this time.
This story occurs Winter 1871.
006; “The Night the Wizard Shook the Earth” (10/1/65)
This is the first appearance of Dr. Loveless. He is captured at the end of the episode.
This story occurs Winter 1871, based on 011.
007; “The Night of Sudden Death” (10/8/65)
There is no evidence to place this episode.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this seems to occur Winter or Spring 1871.
008; “The Night of a Thousand Eyes” (10/22/65)
Captain Coffin was blinded eleven years earlier. This seems to have occurred before the beginning of the Civil War, so it is no later than 1872 here. It is raining heavily near Springfield, MO so it is probably spring or fall.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it is probably Spring 1871 when this story occurs.
010; “The Night of the Dancing Death” (11/5/65)
Typewriters are a “new” invention. The first commercial one was sold in 1870, so it is 1870 or 1871 here.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it is probably Spring 1871 when this story occurs.
011; “The Night That Terror Stalked the Town” (11/19/65)
This is Dr. Loveless’ second appearance, a “few months” after 006. Loveless mentions that while he was in prison following 006, Gramme’s dynamo debuted. It was first demonstrated in 1871. As this was discussed as early as July 1871, we can safely place 006 in December 1870 (and probably a little later). This places not only 001-004 in 1870 or earlier, but also, because we are using Loveless’ appearances as a signpost, 005 and 007-010 in 1871 or earlier.
Named after his uncle James West, West was born on July 2, 1842. Since he had ten years’ cavalry experience in 1870, he enlisted no later than at age seventeen in 1859, and became a Secret Service agent in 1869, some weeks or months before 001 in Winter 1870; information in 004 suggests that West began his work for the Secret Service by Winter 1869, when he was 26. This in turn suggests that he went into the Secret Service when Grant took office in March 1869.
Loveless is captured at the end of the episode.
This occurs circa July 1871.
012; “The Night of the Red-Eyed Madmen” (11/26/65)
There is no information to place this episode.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it is probably 1871 when this story occurs.
052; “The Night of the Colonel’s Ghost” (3/10/67)
Gordon builds a model of a “land crawler”, “an idea of mine”, he explains to President Grant, for a tank-like vehicle that resembles Colonel Wolfe’s from 025 (in 1875), so this episode must take place before that one.
The murders seem to have begun recently, apparently following the death of Josiah Gibson: Grant stops to dedicate the statue of Colonel Wayne Gibson, who was killed in 1865; this was his father Josiah’s last wish. The murders are said to have occurred – and therefore begun – “lately”. This seems to suggest that Wayne Gibson has been hiding out at the hotel for only a short time, and not since the end of the war. He says that his body was “mangled”, and perhaps spent months or even years in a hospital. Several aspects of this case imply that it is soon after the end of war, and so occurs early in the series.
This story possibly occurs in 1871.
054; “The Night of the Cadre” (3/24/12)
It is warm and there are green leaves so it is probably summer when this episode takes place. Trask’s background suggests that it is soon after the Civil War.
This story possibly occurs in late spring 1871.
057; “The Night of the Jack O’ Diamonds” (10/6/67)
This occurs during Juarez’s presidency in Mexico, or before July 1872, when he was killed. West says that hasn’t met Juarez, placing this before other Juarez stories, such as 034 (in which the two meet for the first time).
This story possibly occurs in early summer 1871, with two other fifty-something episodes, 052 and 054.
058; “The Night of the Firebrand” (9/15/67)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency.
With no other evidence, this story possibly occurs with 057 and 059 in summer 1871.
034; “The Night of the Eccentrics” (9/16/66)
Emperor “Maximilian [of Mexico] was shot dead four years ago”, in 1867, so it is 1871 here.
The agents’ superior here is Colonel Armstrong. This makes Armstrong their third superior, between Falk and Crockett.
Also, West meets President Benito Juarez for the first time, so this episode must occur before any other featuring Juarez.
This is the first aired appearance of the fireplace escape on the train.
This story occurs in 1871, probably in the summer, due to 057, but before 046, the return of Manzeppi.
059; “The Night of the Assassin” (9/22/67)
This occurs during Juarez’s presidency in Mexico, or before July 1872, when he was killed. The agents are known to Juarez, so this must follow 034.
With no other evidence, this story possibly occurs with 057 and 058 in summer 1871.
046; “The Night of the Feathered Fury” (1/13/67)
It seems to be warm (there are green trees) and occurs during Colonel Armstrong’s tenure as the agents’ supervisor, placing this episode before August 1872, when Richmond becomes their new boss. It is therefore Summer 1871 here since Crockett’s appearance in a May 1872 episode rules out an early summer 1872 placement. Armstrong, unlike the agents’ other supervisors, wears an Army uniform.
This is the return of Count Manzeppi, of whom West says, “His specialty is figuring out what people will do.” Gordon calls him an “eminent tactician.” As he escapes Manzeppi swears to the agents, “We shall meet again”, but if they ever do, it has gone unrecorded.
The agents’ cook on the train is Mama Angelina.
This story occurs late Summer 1871.
086; “The Night of the Big Blackmail” (9/27/68)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. The architect of the secret plans for the embassy was killed in “1871”, so it is probably 1872 here.
This story occurs in 1872.
087; “The Night of the Gruesome Games” (10/25/68)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. It’s not July, as there are “unseasonable fireworks”.
This story possibly occurs in early 1872, with 086.
036; “The Night of the Bottomless Pit” (11/4/66)
There is little evidence to place this episode. Mauvais considers West to be a “young man”, so he is probably no older than thirty at this time, which would put this episode before July 1872.
This story probably occurs in early 1872.
048; “The Night of the Vicious Valentine” (2/10/67)
This episode begins on Easter. The agents’ supervisor is Colonel Crockett, who we know from 049 served in spring 1872. Crockett wears Western wear, which includes a bolo tie.
This story occurs about April 1, 1872.
056; “The Night of the Bogus Bandits” (4/7/67)
This is Loveless’ eighth appearance. The agents’ supervisor at this time is Colonel Crockett, putting this episode in late 1871 or early 1872 (his last documented appearance was in May 1872), making it Loveless’ third chronological appearance.
Loveless’ scheme this time is to seize control of “the territory”, but this seems almost secondary to his plot of looting a gold depository, territorial penitentiary and federal arms depot simultaneously. He begins this by opening a school for crime, which certainly takes some time, and cannot occur where we might like it: in order following Loveless’ seventh appearance.
Neither Voltaire nor Antoinette appears (the usual case in these later Loveless episodes). However, there is an unidentified dark-haired woman who stands beside Loveless when he is introduced; while this is not Phoebe Dorin, the actress who played Antoinette, perhaps the character is Antoinette. If so, this illuminates their relationship as he refers to Belladonna as “his consort”. This does not explain Voltaire’s absence; perhaps he is still in prison.
Although it seems to be warm (and there are green leaves), a woman frets that her assistant acts “before [the coffee] freezes over”, so it is cold after dark at least. Since we know that Crockett served in 1872 but do not know if he served in 1871, it is probably early spring at this time. It is during Grant’s presidency, which rules out an 1877 or later placement.
This story probably occurs early April 1872.
063; “The Night of Montezuma’s Hordes”
This occurs during Juarez’s presidency in Mexico, or before July 1872, when he was killed.
This story possibly occurs in early 1872, due to a number of Juarez-related episodes being placed in 1871.
049; “The Night of the Tartar” (2/3/67)
This episode begins on “May 9”, “five years” after the sale of Alaska to the United States in 1867, so it is 1872 here.
The agents’ supervisor in this episode is Colonel Crockett (though his name is not used in the episode, it is listed in the end credits). He seems to be the demarcation between Colonels Armstrong and Richmond; based on 048, he served at least more than a month, and quite possibly many months. Armstrong’s last recorded appearance was summer 1871 and Richmond’s first in August 1872.
This story occurs in May 1872.
085; “The Night of the Spanish Curse” (1/3/69)
This occurs during Juarez’s presidency of Mexico, so it is before July 1872, when he was killed. West is “famous” as a Secret Service agent by this time, so it is probably 1872 at this time.
This story occurs 1872, before July.
013; “The Night of the Human Trigger” (12/3/65)
This begins on “the fifth of June”. If this occurs in order with respect to earlier episodes, it is June 1872 in this episode.
This story occurs early June 1872.
047; “The Night of the Brain” (2/17/67)
This episode begins the day before “July 12, 1872” (as a newspaper says), which is “tomorrow”.
West’s company commander during the Civil War was Colonel Arnett, retired and living in Washington, DC when he is killed by the Brain.
This story occurs in mid July 1872.
014; “The Night of the Torture Chamber” (12/10/65)
It is “over a year” after 006 (Winter 1871), as the agents help “Governor Bradford again” at this time.
This story occurs in Summer 1872, probably in the month between 047 and 096.
096; “The Night of the Janus” (2/14/69)
This is the fourth and final Jeremy Pike episode; when he is introduced in 093, he and West had worked together previously. It ends on “August 18”. While it appears that this story occurs during the time when Gordon is in Washington, that period was a “few months”, centered on January and February. So this episode, taking place in August, probably doesn’t occur during that time. As Gordon is not mentioned as being in Washington (or at all, in fact), this may be when West and Pike first worked together, and not while Pike replaced Gordon when the latter was in Washington, D.C., placing this in 1872 – with Brown’s single appearance in 099 (see below). Otherwise, Gordon has been in Washington, D.C. for six months (since at least February), not just a “few” as is said to be the case in 095. In support of this theory is the fact that the gang is printing its own money – there is no mention of coins. It wasn’t until 1872 that the Denver Mint assayed, weighed and stamped gold ingots that had been processed by an independent firm.
This story probably occurs in mid August 1872.
099; “The Night of the Sabatini Death” (2/7/69)
West’s new (temporary) partner is Ned Brown, a chemist in the Secret Service. It seems to be warm. Sylvia, six years old at the time her mother was killed in a fire set by Boorman, that burned down the church, is now eighteen, so twelve years have passed since then. Boorman was “cheated” out of his share of the stolen loot when Nolan died in 1860 (actually faked his death and became Sabatini, whom West has met before; he became a crime boss in St. Louis with the stolen payroll), so it is 1872 here. If Brown is filling in for Gordon who is in Washington, D.C., then 093-099 all occur in that time frame: late 1871 through early 1872. This includes Dr. Loveless’ appearance in 093, which seems to conflict with his own timeline. However, no reference to Gordon is made herein, so he may be busy elsewhere, and not in Washington, D.C., meaning that this one episode occurs in 1872, and not all of the recent ones where he is absent.
This episode marks Colonel Richmond’s first chronological appearance. He is, according to 042, “the director of the Secret Service”. This statement has not been made about the agents’ other supervisors, and it is possible that they were not directors, but field supervisors who also worked under Richmond. This would explain, for example, Armstrong apparently interrupting Richmond’s tenure in 1874 (in 029).
This story occurs in Summer 1872, probably shortly after 096.
101; “The Night of the Tycoons” (3/28/69)
It is not cold during this episode, and with no mention of Artemus Gordon at all, this probably does not occur while he is in Washington over the 1876-77 winter.
Although there is no evidence to place it, it may belong in summer 1872 with other non-Gordon episodes.
This story may occur Summer 1872.
076; “The Night of the Vipers” (1/12/68)
Artemus poses as Ned Buntline, who returned to St. Louis in May 1873 for twenty-one years, so it is before that date here.
This story probably occurs 1872.
019; “The Night of the Grand Emir” (1/28/66)
It doesn’t seem to be cold out, so is probably not winter. “1860” was more than “twelve” years ago, but apparently not too much longer – Ecstasy says that she killed an Austrian prince, to which West responds, “There hasn’t been one killed in eight to ten years.” Artemus corrects him: “Closer to twelve.” Ecstasy explains, “It was before that – 1860, March”, so it is after March 1872 here. If the assassination of an Austrian prince in the 1860s was a factual event, I can’t locate the details. Further, West says that Ecstasy was “nine years old at the time”. Based on the age of Yvonne Craig, who played Ecstasy, the year would be 1880. If the assassination of the Austrian prince predated the Austria-Hungary union of 1867, it would be between 1873 and 1868 (inclusive).
In addition, the motive of the villain(s), the Assassins Club, is to gain control of the Isthmus of Suez, so that they can lease it to the Suez Canal Company. However, the Suez Canal was constructed from 1859-1869, when it then opened. The concessions for the land were obtained in 1854 and 1856, so none of this fits with either the chronological comments of the three characters, or the known chronology of the series. The final works were completed in 1871 – still shy of the twelve years following 1860. The only conclusion to be drawn (I think), is that the leader of the Assassins Club meant that the completed canal would be turned over to his organization, which would then lease it back to the Suez Canal Company. This episode must then occur before 1875, when the khedive sold his shares in the canal to pay off Egypt’s debt, as he is the one expected to turn over the Isthmus.
If West is correct when he says that the “Grand Emir” of the title is the Emir of the Ottoman Empire (as would certainly seem to be the case), then this must occur before the 1873 decree that gave the Khedivate of Egypt virtual independence from the Ottoman government. If this indeed the case, the Emir could exert control over the canal, which actually belonged to Egypt. Therefore, this episode seems to occur in late 1872, or early 1873, before the Ottoman decree (the month of which I cannot determine). Since it is not cold, this must then take place in Fall 1872, and not Winter 1873.
This story occurs Fall 1872.
023; “The Night of the Two-Legged Buffalo” (3/11/66)
It is cold enough that Artemus is worried about catching pneumonia, so it is probably winter. Other than that, there is no information to place this episode, so it probably follows the last in-sequence episode, 014 or 019.
This story probably occurs Winter 1873.
103; “The Night of the Plague” (4/4/69)
This begins on “March 12”, which is seen on a calendar. With a full moon during the story, this must take place in 1873, with a full moon beginning on March 14. Although it’s not clear what night the full moon near the end of the episode occurs on, this is the only date within the range of the story that a full moon begins.
This story occurs in mid March 1873.
092; “The Night of Fire and Brimstone” (11/22/68)
A Confederate soldier who took refuge in the mines in 1865 died and has been skeletonized by the time of this episode. We don’t know when he died, but it would seem to be several years after 1865 here (at least), or probably the early or mid 1870s: The fire in the mines, which started before the soldier fled there, is now ten years old. It is therefore no later than 1875 here. Therefore, this episode probably takes place between 1872 and 1874 (inclusive).
This story might occur in 1873.
018; “The Night of the Flaming Ghost” (1/21/66)
West says, “If the real John Brown had lived [until today], he’d be almost seventy-five years old by now.” John Brown was born in 1800, so it is close to but not yet 1875.
This story occurs in 1873 or 1874.
080; “The Night of the Death Maker” (2/23/68)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency, and before Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876. Additionally, Grant broke Dane of his command three years before this episode so it is no earlier than spring 1872 here, because Grant became president in 1869.
This story might occur in 1873 or 1874, with 082.
081; “The Night of the Fugitives” (11/8/68)
This occurs before Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876.
This story might occur in 1873 or 1874, with 082.
082; “The Night of the Doomsday Formula” (10/4/68)
West and Gordon have been partners for “the past few years”. Since they became partners in Winter 1870, it is before 1875 at this time, probably.
This story probably occurs in 1873 or 1874.
067; “The Night of the Arrow” (12/29/67)
This episode ends April 6, 1874.
This story occurs in April 1874.
029; “The Night of the Golden Cobra” (9/23/66)
It is not winter in this episode. The historical information regarding the Pawnee Indians seems to be inaccurate: Formerly in Nebraska, they were relocated in 1874 to their present home, in what would become Oklahoma. This episode would seem therefore to occur about 1874, but we know that West and Gordon’s supervisor at that time was Colonel Richmond. Here, it is Colonel Armstrong, who telegraphs them that they have received presidential citations for their last mission. Since he was the agents’ supervisor in 1871, he may be filling in for Richmond at this time, or perhaps, his name was said in error (he is not actually seen). However, Richmond is said to be the director of the Secret Service, not just the duo’s supervisor, so Armstrong may still be their supervisor, though he is rarely seen after Richmond is introduced.
This story occurs in 1874 (not Winter).
035; “The Night of the Returning Dead” (10/14/66)
This episode tales place thirteen years after the death of Carson, as “the [Civil] war was starting” (April 1861), so it is 1874 here.
Arte implies that he can play any musical instrument. Jeremiah possesses some sort of genuine psychic link with animals.
This story occurs in 1874 (not Winter).
020; “The Night of the Whirring Death” (2/18/66)
This episode occurs in “1874”, or three years after Loveless’ last appearance (his second). There are several elements that suggest that it is Christmas at this time. For example, Jeremiah Ratch is very reminiscent of Ebenezer Scrooge.
California has a new Governor, Lewis, who has been elected since 014. It’s suggested that Loveless engineered the financial crisis that the state is undergoing, but he certainly had some (unplanned) help from Professor Bolt, who drained California’s coffers to buy expensive art, in that episode.
This story occurs December 1874.
017; “The Night the Dragon Screamed” (1/14/66)
Although the details of his life stated herein don’t match reality, the only Chinese Emperor to die during the agents’ careers was the Tongzhi Emperor, who died on January 12, 1875. The parade shown in this episode may in fact be a Chinese New Year’s parade, which occurs in late January or early February.
This story occurs about the first of February 1875.
075; “The Night of the Underground Terror” (1/19/68)
This occurs at Mardi Gras (February), ten years after the end of the Civil War, or 1875.
This story occurs February 1875.
027; “The Night of the Murderous Spring” (4/15/66)
This is Loveless’ fourth appearance: Artemus says, “Three times we’ve caught him and three times he’s gotten away.” This confirms that this is indeed Loveless’ fourth chronological appearance, as he escapes in every succeeding one (his fifth through ninth). Also, this means that there is no untold case involving him before this story. Since his tenth and final appearance occurs in late 1876, his fourth through ninth appearances would seem to need to occur in 1875-1876, even if succeeding ones occur out of order. This episode probably occurs early in the year, since Loveless’ next appearance (in 032) takes place late in the year.
This story probably occurs in early 1875.
025; “The Night of the Freebooters” (4/1/66)
There is no information to place this episode, other than the fact that it is not winter at this time. Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this occurs between 020 and 027.
This story probably occurs in Summer 1875.
088; “The Night of the Avaricious Actuary” (12/6/68)
This episode takes place in “1875”.
This story occurs in 1875.
032; “The Night of the Raven” (9/30/66)
This is Loveless’ fifth appearance. “It has been a long time” since his last scheme, according to West, which was in 027: West says, “three times you’ve tried” to conquer the world (Loveless’ second appearance was revenge on West, so that doesn’t count as one of the three; this is therefore his fifth chronological appearance; we can also discount his scheme to attack three targets simultaneously in 056 in this count). Gordon mentions Loveless’ henchmen as “the ghosts of Christmas past”, so it may be near that holiday here; placing 027 early in 1875 and this one late in the year fits the “long time” remark.
This story occurs December 1875.
050; “The Night of the Deadly Bubble” (2/24/67)
It seems to be winter, as it is raining for at least two days in a row in California.
This story probably occurs Winter 1876 (as Gordon is absent in Winter 1877).
084; “The Night of the Pistoleros” (2/21/69)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. West and Gordon have been together “so many years” at this time, so it is probably after 1875, leaving only 1876 or 1877. And Gordon is worried about it snowing, so it is winter. With Grant leaving the White House in Winter 1877, it is probably Winter 1876 here; also, later episodes suggest that Gordon is in Washington, DC during most of Winter 1877.
We also learn that Gordon was a captain during the Civil War, and that Sergeant Charlie Tobin served with West at Shiloh.
This story occurs Winter 1876.
030; “The Night of the Big Blast” (10/7/66)
This takes place at Mardi Gras during Grant’s presidency. With other episodes mentioning this holiday, it is either 1874 or 1876 here. With nearby episodes (such as 025, 026 and 032) occurring at about this time (1875-76), this episode probably takes place in 1876.
This story occurs mid February 1876.
039; “The Night of the Poisonous Posey” (10/28/66)
There is no evidence to place this episode, but, using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it is probably 1876 when this takes place. If so, then the vacation that West and Gordon are on at the beginning of the episode may be a replacement for the one that they were recalled from in 030.
This story probably occurs late February 1876.
037; “The Night of the Ready-Made Corpse” (11/25/66)
There are plenty of green leaves, indicating it is during the warm months of the year. A tombstone in a cemetery reads “1872”, so it is no earlier than that year. Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this episode occurs between 032 and 041.
This story probably occurs Spring 1876.
038; “The Night of the Flying Pie Plate” (10/21/66)
There is no evidence to place this episode. Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it is probably 1876 in this episode. With 037 occurring in spring, this one probably does, too, with 026 (late spring) following.
This story probably occurs Spring 1876.
026; “The Night of the Burning Diamond” (4/8/66)
West has a “reputation” by this time, and he and Gordon are known as the “unconquerable duo” in government circles, so they have been together for some time at this point. Combined with an exhibition “to prove we’ve come of age as a country” (as West puts it), it may be America’s centennial – 1876.
This story probably occurs late Spring or very early Summer 1876.
069; “The Night of the Falcon” (11/10/67)
It is hot, and occurs before Colorado became a state on August 1, 1876.
This story possibly occurs in June 1876, with 070.
070; “The Night of the Legion of Death” (11/24/67)
This occurs in a presidential election year, so is 1872 or 1876. The territory where the episode takes place is “soon to receive statehood”. Colorado was the only territory to become a state during Grant’s presidency (August 1, 1876), so this must occur in spring or summer 1876.
This story occurs June or July 1876.
071; “The Night of the Running Death” (12/15/67)
This occurs before Colorado becomes a state on August 1, 1876.
This story possibly occurs July 1876, with 070.
041; “The Night of the Green Terror” (11/18/66)
This is Loveless’ sixth appearance. With berries dead on bushes and Loveless suffering from hay fever, this must be summer, probably July.
This story occurs July 1876.
043; “The Night of the Skulls” (12/16/66)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency (1869-1877). There is no evidence to place this episode, other than it is warm and there are green leaves. Combined with Loveless’ appearances as signposts, it probably follows 041.
West “hates funerals”, according to another government agent. This is Colonel Richmond’s first aired appearance. He is “the director of the Secret Service” at this time. This does not seem to be his first case with the agents, so is probably not his first chronological appearance in the series.
This story probably occurs Summer 1876.
044; “The Night of the Tottering Tontine” (1/6/67)
It seems to be summer in San Francisco, so therefore probably follows 043.
This story probably occurs Summer 1876.
045; “The Night of the Gypsy Peril” (1/20/67)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. It is warm in the west. There is no other evidence to place this episode. Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this follows 041. Perhaps not coincidentally, the agents are in San Francisco at the beginning of this episode, where the last one (044) occurred.
This story probably occurs Summer 1876.
053; “the Night of the Deadly Blossom” (3/17/67)
The King of Hawaii in this episode is Kalakaua, who took the throne in 1874, and reigned until the Bayonet Constitution in 1887. However, no treaty as the one described in this episode ever occurred. It may therefore occur in order with recent episodes.
“Three weeks” before the episode begins, a “thunderstorm” occurred, so it is no later than late summer here.
This story probably occurs in July or August 1876.
051; “The Night of the Surreal McCoy” (3/3/67)
This is Loveless’ seventh appearance. Morgan, his partner, says, “I found you in that mountain cave” … except that Loveless was not in a mountain cave in his last aired appearance, 041; his lair was underground in a forest, apparently in the Midwest. It appeared to have been dug from the earth, and was probably not a natural cave – it was certainly not a “mountain cave”. This suggests an unrecorded case, in which Loveless used a mountain cave, where he seemingly was killed (West says, “I thought you were dead.”). Interestingly, Loveless’ aide Antoinette is not seen in this episode, nor any later ones, which suggests that she was killed in the mountain cave, while Loveless escaped. This would then be the first chronological episode without Antoinette, as well, placing it between 041 (July 1876), her last appearance, and 093 (November 1876), which must occur while Grant is still president.
It seems to be neither cold nor very hot in this episode, although Gordon says “It’s a cold night,” which would indicate that it is spring or autumn at this time.
Loveless worked on his dimensional travel technology for “thirty years”, almost certainly before his first appearance in 006 (Winter 1871), or by 1841, apparently when he was quite young (Michael Dunn, the actor who played Loveless, was 43 at the time of filming; if the same holds true for Loveless, then Loveless may have been born in the early 1830s). This also explains how Loveless is able to organize a scheme relatively quickly: He has a partner and is using technology that he discovered some time earlier.
This story probably occurs in September 1876.
055; “The Night of the Wolf” (3/31/67)
While there are green leaves, it is cold at night so it must be early spring or early fall.
While the foreign characters come from central Europe, where Magyar-Croatian is spoken, I’m unable to find the deaths of any similar rulers during the tenure of the agents. Possibly, the royalty is actually quite minor, perhaps merely nobility.
This story occurs in early autumn, probably late September, and, using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, possibly 1876.
015; “The Night of the Howling Light” (12/17/65)
West and Gordon have been working together for “several years” by this time. Since they did this beginning in 1870, it must be no earlier than the mid 1870s here, 1875 or later.
This story probably occurs in 1876, or perhaps 1877.
016; “The Night of the Steel Assassin” (1/7/66)
Grant was a “junior officer” in “the war” “thirty years ago”. This must refer to the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). It seems not to be cold at this time, so is either spring or fall, probably. Therefore, it must be 1876 here, the last full year of Grant’s presidency.
This story occurs Fall 1876.
060; “The Night of the Bubbling Death” (9/8/67)
There is conflicting geographic information in this episode: It is said to occur in the Texas Panhandle (the northernmost part of the state), but at the end, this region is said to be ceded to Mexico, with Mexican troops moving into the region of Monterrey, which is south of the southernmost part of the state. This area was fought over in the Battle of Monterrey in 1846, in which the Mexicans were forced to surrender. It seems as though there was a disputed strip of land along the Rio Grande during the time of the series that was given to Mexico by the US through negotiation. If this occurred in real life, I can find no reference to it.
Gordon, while in disguise, says that he spent “five years” in prison due to West, so it is probably no earlier than 1875 here, and it is during Grant’s presidency.
Using Loveless’ appearances as signposts, this story possibly occurs in autumn 1876.
093; “The Night of Miguelito’s Revenge” (12/13/68)
This is Dr. Loveless’ tenth and final appearance in production order. This is also the first episode that Artemus Gordon is working in Washington, DC, to be replaced for four episodes by Jeremy Pike, who has worked with West before, and then a number of other agents. Gordon was suddenly called away without West’s knowledge, indicating that this is the chronologically first of the episodes with Gordon gone. This would seem not to occur along with 099, which takes place in 1872 (and 096, which probably does), because of Loveless’ own chronology: In the early 1870s, he is working with Antoinette and Voltaire, neither of whom appear here. So Gordon seems to have been recalled to Washington later in the series, based on Loveless’ appearances. We know that it cannot be a year that Gordon appears in the series in January, February or March, at least. This rules out 1875 and 1876, and if the Loveless episodes occurred in the order that they were produced, any year before 1875 due to 020, placing Gordon’s Washington stay late 1876 through early 1877 (because it is still during Grant’s presidency when Gordon returns in 102; this is another factor to rule out 096 as occurring with this group, because it occurred in August).
Because of the recent Loveless episodes in 1876 (041, 051, for example), this episode probably was aired out of order. He was simply too busy in the last half of the year for his two next-to-last episodes (056, 065) to occur at this time. There is some poetic justice to this arrangement, for it means that Artemus Gordon worked Loveless’ last recorded case, rather than Jeremy Pike, which occurred in production order.
This story probably occurs in November 1876.
094; “The Night of the Camera” (11/29/68)
Set in San Francisco, the second of the Jeremy Pike episodes. With 095 occurring at Chinese New Year, this probably occurs in January.
This story occurs in January 1877.
100; “The Night of Bleak Island” (3/14/69)
The case ends shortly after “March 29”. This matches the weather, which is rainy and windy. Artemus writes to West: “Things are pretty much wrapped up here”; “It won’t be long before I’m on my way”; “See you soon”. This confirms that Gordon was indeed in Washington over the winter. However, it also presents a problem: When he returns, Grant is still president. If this occurs in April, as the date in the episode indicates, it cannot be 1877 because Grant had just ceased to be president at that time. 093 strongly suggests that it indeed winter 1876-77 when Gordon is in Washington, because of Loveless’ appearances, which means that “March” is in error. If “29” is correct, it must be January 29 rather than March 29 when the Moon Diamond is turned over to authorities (it cannot, of course, be February 29).
“Five years” earlier, West was in London, and worked with Sir Nigel Scott of Scotland Yard. This would have been 1871 or 1872, and Artemus Gordon’s absence in late summer 1872 suggests that West probably made a solo trip to England at that time. While West is familiar with the arch criminal Dr Jacob Calendar, his would not seem to be the case that the two worked together. In this episode, Scott is the expert on Calendar, while West knows little of his methods. Calendar died no earlier than 1872, and no later than 1874, it would seem, based on information in this episode.
This story occurs in the last half of January 1877.
095; “The Night of the Pelican” (12/27/68)
Also set in San Francisco, this is the third of the Jeremy Pike episodes. It takes place at Chinese New Year (late January or early February). Pike reveals that Gordon will be in Washington, DC for “a few months”. Based on information herein, this would seem to be November 1876 through February 1877.
This story occurs about February first, 1877.
097 & 098; “The Night of the Winged Terror” (1/24/69)
Frank Harper fills in for Gordon, who is still in Washington, DC, and, as in other Gordon-Washington episodes, Grant is president. With the placement of the Jeremy Pike episodes, this seems to be the only place that the Harper episodes can occur: after Pike but before Gordon returns. One of the days during this story is the “15th”, and, based on Pike and Gordon, this must be February.
The kinetiscope, which is an important plot device in the story, was not publicly shown until 1894.
This story occurs in mid February 1877.
102; “The Night of the Diva” (3/7/69)
This occurs during Grant’s presidency. Artemus Gordon returns from Washington, D.C., so it is a “few months” after 095. This roughly matches information in episodes since his last appearance. Since it must be 1877, based on Gordon’s appearances in other winters, this must occur in February, before the inauguration on March 4, 1877.
This is Colonel Richmond’s final aired appearance.
This story occurs in late February 1877.
061; “The Night of the Cutthroats” (11/17/67)
There is no information to place this episode.
Since we know that Gordon’s Washington stay apparently interrupted the Loveless sequence of stories, it may be that the episodes continue to follow in order, with the exception of those surrounding Gordon’s absence.
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in early 1877.
062; “The Night of the Hangman” (10/20/67)
There is a “chill to the air” as evening approaches, so probably spring or fall.
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in spring 1877.
064; “The Night of the Amnesiac” (2/9/68)
There is no information to place this episode.
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in early 1877.
065; “The Night Dr. Loveless Died” (9/29/67)
This is Dr. Loveless’ ninth aired appearance. It seems that he is too busy for this to occur in 1876, suggesting that it follows his tenth aired appearance (093) (the latter then being told out of order). There is some poetic justice in this, in that with this arrangement, Artemus Gordon works the last recorded Loveless case, not Jeremy Pike.
If this is correct, then perhaps the final few episodes with Loveless should not be crowded into the last half of 1876, either – perhaps only 093 takes place then. Looking at the 1876 Loveless episodes, it appears that they do all occur at that time (mainly due to Antoinette’s appearances and absences), and it is only the final two that occur out of order, probably (or rather, the sequence is interrupted by the tenth, followed by the eighth and ninth). It is possible that this episode occurs in October 1876, but the set-up of this scheme would seem to require more than a month’s time, suggesting that it probably occurs after 1876.
It is warm and there are green leaves on trees.
The agents were in Sacramento “last month”; this seems to refer to an unrecorded case.
This story possibly occurs 1877, during the warm months.
068; “The Night of the Circus of Death” (11/3/67)
This occurs in May. If this occurs in order, following Loveless’ last appearance, it is 1877 here.
This story probably occurs May 1877.
072; “The Night of the Turncoat” (12/1/67)
Colonel Richmond is the agent’s supervisor, suggesting it is between mid 1872 and mid 1877 (or possibly 1880).
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in 1877.
078; “The Night of the Undead” (2/2/68)
There is no information to place this episode.
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in 1877.
079; “The Night of the Simian Terror” (2/16/68)
There is no information to place this episode.
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in 1877.
077; “The Night of the Death Masks” (1/26/68)
It is five years after the bank robbery that sent Emmet Stark to prison for life; he was apprehended by West and Gordon, so it is 1875 or later here. Colonel Richmond is the agent’s supervisor, suggesting it is between mid 1872 and mid 1877 (or possibly 1880).
Based on Loveless’ last appearance, this story possibly occurs in 1877.
083; “The Night of the Egyptian Queen” (11/15/68)
Based on the European politics mentioned, it seems to be 1875-1878 at this time.
As with other recent episodes, this story probably occurs in 1877.
104; “The Night of the Cossacks” (3/21/69)
It seems to be cool, though this isn’t certain (there is no snow, however, so it is not winter). This occurs soon after a revolution in an Eastern European country where Russian seems to be the native tongue, but this seems to be a fictional event, as is the treaty that West mentions that prohibits white men from hunting bison. There were active efforts of the government as late as 1875 to hunt them to extinction. The revolution may be tied to the Russo-Turkish War (1877-78), in which Bulgaria was liberated. If true – and this seems doubtful based on what information is given in the episode – this would probably occur in 1878. Since it likely occurs no earlier than 1877 for a number of reasons (including Loveless’ appearances), placing it in 1878 seems safe.
This story may occur in spring 1878.
073; “The Night of the Iron Fist” (12/8/67)
It is hot and Bosnia has a new government. This may refer to the occupation of the country by the Austrian-Hungarian Empire in 1878, and Count Draja stole half a million dollars and fled his country, which has extradited him. So this probably occurs shortly after that.
This story probably occurs late 1878.
089; “The Night of the Juggernaut” (10/11/68)
There is no information to place this episode.
If the episodes with no internal evidence occur in order, this story possibly occurs in 1879.
091; “The Night of the Sedgewick Curse” (10/18/68)
There is no information to place this episode.
If the episodes with no internal evidence occur in order, this story possibly occurs in 1879.
022; “The Night of the Bars of Hell” (3/4/66)
West is to be the “first man in history” to be executed by electric chair. Historically, this occurred in 1890, and it is certainly not 1890 in this episode. So this is another point where the world of THE WILD, WILD WEST seems to diverge from our own. However, Scroggs, the self-described “electrocutioner”, says that he is doing “scientific research”, which suggests that electrocution is not an established form of execution at the time. The electric chair was invented in 1881 as an alternative to hanging at the behest of the state of New York. Perhaps they got the idea from hearing of Scroggs’ invention, and commissioned their own. If so – really the only way to reconcile the events of this episode with reality – this case occurs about 1881. Another clue that this takes place late in the series is that “many” of the convicts at the “territorial prison” were put there by West (the “territory” is therefore probably the Dakota Territory).
This story takes place circa 1881, during the warm months of the year.
024; “The Night of the Druid’s Blood” (3/25/66)
By this time, West has a “splendid record” and has accrued a lot of vacation time – certainly more than a year’s worth, so it has probably been at least ten years since he became a Secret Service agent, and possibly longer. Based on the weather, it is probably late spring or summer.
Dr. Robey is West’s “old professor”. When West attended college is not immediately clear. He certainly served his ten years in the cavalry in one hitch, and if this occurred just prior to joining the Secret Service, he would have been too young to go to college. He would seem to have joined the cavalry at the age of sixteen in 1858, served ten years, attended a semester or two of college and then joined the Secret Service – or attended college for a single semester before he turned seventeen, which seems highly unlikely, as well: It is implied that he followed Grant from the military when the latter was elected in 1868. None of these explanations are really satisfactory. Perhaps Robey taught classes at the Secret Service academy when West joined?
West’s superior in this episode is Colonel Fairchild. Since we know that it was Colonel Richmond in later years (1872-1877, at least; his earliest appearance is in 099, Summer 1872, and his last in Gordon’s return, 102 in February 1877), this story probably occurs after Richmond’s tenure – because Colonel Shear was West’s first superior, in 001 (1870), and we know a number of other supervisors until Richmond’s tenure. However, Richmond may still be the director of the Secret Service.
This story probably occurs May in the early 1880s.
066; “The Night of the Samurai” (10/13/67)
“Admiral Perry” took the Sword of Kuniyoshi more than thirty years earlier, or probably during his famous visit in 1853 (when he was a Commodore), so it is between 1884 and 1887 here (inclusive). Due to the television movies “The Wild, Wild West Revisited” and “More Wild, Wild West”, it is actually no later than 1885.
This story occurs in either 1884 or 1885 (not 1886 because 074 occurs at latest in Winter 1886).
074; “The Night of the Headless Woman” (1/5/68)
It’s cold near Sausalito, CA, so probably not summer. It’s after 066, 067 and 070, as Artemus reviews characters he played in those episodes. 066 occurs in the mid 1880s, so it is the mid 1880s here, or later. Due to “The Wild, Wild West Revisited” and “More Wild, Wild West”, it is no later than 1885 here. Since this occurs the year after 066, that places 066 in 1884 and this episode in 1885.
This story occurs in either in Winter 1885.
028; “The Night of the Sudden Plague” (4/22/66)
Dr. Kirby, who must be in his middle forties, studied under Dr. Joseph Lister, who pioneered anti-septic after reading of Louis Pasteur’s work in the early 1860s (Lister began his experiments in 1865). After this, he went to China, where he married a native woman and had a daughter, Anna. When he failed to save the wife of a local ruler, his wife was killed. Based on Anna’s age, it is some twenty years later here, or the mid 1880s. There is little other information to place this episode; it seems not to be winter.
Because of information in other episodes, we know that the agents retired no earlier than 1886. Therefore, Anna must be a few years younger than she seems; she could not have been born earlier than 1866, and almost certainly a year or two later.
Oddly, Nevada (identified by two nearby towns, Virginia City and Silver City) is identified as a “territory”; it became a state in 1864.
This story occurs in 1886 (probably not Winter).
031; “The Night of the Infernal Machine” (12/23/66)
The Statue of Liberty is referenced prominently in this episode. It arrived in New York in June 1886 and was dedicated the following October, when it was erected on Bedloe’s Island. This therefore is one of the agents’ last cases, in 1886, or perhaps 1887. With information in other late-occurring episodes, it must be 1886 here, no earlier than June. That makes it the last recorded case of West and Gordon.
The president is mistakenly referred to as “Grant” in this episode. Though he can bake, Gordon admits that he “can’t cook”. Anarchist Zeno Baroda was sent to prison “six years” earlier, but he was not captured by West at that time, because they meet face-to-face for the first time in this episode.
This story occurs in the last half of 1886.
“The Wild, Wild West Revisited” (5/9/79)
It is “1885”, and the two agents have been retired for “years” (but less than “ten”). The mission ends on June 19, having begun circa June 3, after the two agents were recalled in May and put through re-training. Therefore, this seems to occur May-June 14, 1885. However, we know that the agents were still active in 1886, so it is not 1885 here. So when does this case occur? It is during the presidency of Grover Cleveland (1885-1889 and 1893-1897). It’s implied that West has children who are at least a few years old when he is recalled to duty, suggesting that it is later than 1888, the last year of Cleveland’s first term; West’s children would be no more than a year old at that time. It therefore seems to be during Cleveland’s second term. The movie was made ten years after the series ended, and it is implied that the same amount of time has passed in the lives of the two agents. This means that the two agents probably retired in 1886, after 031, so that this story occurs during Cleveland’s last full year in office: 1896. With the months given, West and Gordon have been retired for nine and a half years using 1896.
It’s said that Loveless died five years earlier, in 1880. With 1880 being in error, it’s unclear which reference is correct.
This story occurs May-June 14 1896.
“More Wild, Wild West” (10/7 & 10/8/80)
It is “1890”. Benjamin “Harrison” is president. West and Gordon are recalled to duty following an assassination in “August”, and arrive in Washington, D.C. in “September”. After re-training, they begin the case in “October”. Obviously, this cannot occur in 1890 since it follows “The Wild, Wild West Revisited” in 1896. Keeping five years between the adventures puts this in the twentieth century, which feels wrong. If we place this in 1897, it keeps the eighteen months between cases that exists between airings of the two films.
This story occurs in September-October 1897.
The final fates of the Secret Service’s top agents remain unknown, though they must have returned to retirement after “More Wild, Wild West”: West just turned 55 that year, and Gordon was at least a few years older.