A Groundbreaking Sci-Fi Western TV Series Is Now Streaming For Free

Sci-fi Westerns existed before "The Wild Wild West," but the '60s TV series is one of the sub-genre's most influential works. The show is an early example of steampunk because it introduced futuristic technology to an Old West setting — along with other elements we associate with fantasy and sci-fi. What's more, it had an entertaining four-season run — and each installment is currently available to stream for free on Pluto TV.

"The Wild Wild West" debuted when TV Westerns were riding off into the sunset, but it brought new ideas to the table. If anything, it's more like an espionage show dressed up as a Western, as it follows two Secret Service agents as they battle super villains, including a mad scientist named Dr. Miguelito Loveless (Michael Dunn) who is a consistent thorn in their sides. It's pure pulp and undeniably awesome.

Despite its popularity, "The Wild Wild West" was canceled for political reasons. Some Congress members were unhappy about violence on television in the '60s, so CBS pulled the plug on the show to appease them. Still, the show remains beloved and has inspired other works since its unfortunate cancelation.

"The Wild Wild West" story has continued in novels, comics, and video games throughout the years. However, most movie fans will remember the '90s big-screen reboot starring Will Smith, which is arguably most notable for featuring a giant, mechanical spider. No one is ever going to hail "Wild Wild West" as a sci-fi remake that's better than the original — it was a critical and commercial dud. But the fact that it exists shows that the '60s series was still inspiring Hollywood decades after the fact.

Of course, "The Wild Wild West" wasn't the only steampunk Western to ride onto the scene in the '90s. Bruce Campbell's short-lived "Indiana Jones"-inspired Western series "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr." contains many of the same elements as its '60s counterpart. For example, both series introduce futuristic technology and fantasy elements to a cowboy setting. More importantly, though, both series are a rollicking good time if you like entertainment that rejects genre conventions.

It's a shame that "The Wild Wild West" didn't get to end on its own terms, as the series still had plenty of gas left in the tank. That said, four seasons is still a hell of a run, and sci-fi fans owe it to themselves to check out this wonderful show on Pluto TV.