Artemus Gordon

From The Wild Wild West

Portrayed by: Ross Martin

Age: Older than Jim, but still young

Alignment: Good

Arte is one of the two main characters from The Wild Wild West, sent on new and strange adventures with Jim and others.

Arte is devastated when longtime partner and friend James West seems to be killed in an explosion. He believes Coley Rodman, found at the scene of the crime, is guilty and sets about trying to unravel what happened. Coley insists on helping him, wanting to clear his name.

In spite of himself, Arte ends up becoming fond of Coley, talking with him and learning truths about the Dr. Kirby fiasco that neither he nor Jim had known. In the end, Arte goes from not even knowing if Coley deserves to live to actively wanting him to have immunity for his help on the Dr. Faustina case.

Arte also wonders what to do with his life when he thinks Jim is dead. After solving the case, Arte isn't sure he will have the heart to continue as a Secret Service agent. It was Jim's life, but Arte is also a thespian and scientist and inventor. He considers leaving the Service when this mess is over.

Of course, coming to believe and hope that Jim is alive, and then finding that he is, changes Arte's mind on that point, and he gladly renews his enthusiasm for being a member of the Secret Service. Not that he has much time to think on it before everyone is transported to the present day.

Arte is thrilled and fascinated by modern technology, although not so much by modern fashion. He eventually sets out to get a driver's license, which he obtains and uses proudly.

Arte is disgusted by unrepentant criminals, including the Posey gang, but he's willing to form truces with them when their goals run parallel. He takes pictures and helps make the food at Lucrece and Pinto's wedding.

Arte is also quite understanding and welcoming of any criminals who are trying to turn their lives around. He is on fairly good terms with Lafe, and is the only person to whom Snakes has felt comfortable in revealing some of his past.