Coley Rodman

Picture by CalGal

From: The Wild Wild West, season 1, episode The Night of the Sudden Plague

Portrayed by: H.M. Wynant

Age: Thirties

Alignment: Good.

Coley Rodman is a man bound and determined to have his way. He doesn't take orders from anyone, unless he feels it will best serve his own interests, and those of his closest friends, in the end.

In his own time he led a gang of outlaws and took part in bizarre schemes, such as the utilization of a temporary paralysis drug against towns he wanted to loot. Once all the people were frozen, Coley's gang would ride in and rob the bank and other buildings. But while at least one gang member wanted to shoot the helpless people down "like clay ducks", Coley forbade it. They "had their orders", he said. But when further questioned, he implied that not hurting the people was his own desire as well. He was still the leader of the gang, no matter who seemed to think someone else was calling the shots instead.

At one point he managed to capture Artemus Gordon, tie him to a slab, and rub bacon over Arte's face. He then threatened to unleash some sick ferrets that would mistake Arte for bacon, unless Arte told him why he was skulking around the hideout. He did, however, claim at the time that he would not have allowed Arte to be really hurt and has since insisted it was a bluff altogether.

The mad scientist who developed the paralysis drug and owned the ferrets had another, deeper scheme in mind. He told Coley that what he really wanted was to use a different drug, one that would kill all residents of the towns and cities instead of temporarily freezing them in place with no after-effects. Some people would have laughed and found the idea morbidly hilarious. But instead of delighting in it, or even disliking it but going along because of the looting possibilities, Coley outright refused to have anything to do with the plot and immediately set about breaking ties with Dr. Kirby. He admitted that while he wasn't above shooting a man, allowing entire towns and cities to be killed off just wasn't something he was willing to have happen.

Eventually he confronted Dr. Kirby in the lab, where a wild Dr. Kirby tried to fire on him and was promptly shot and killed by Coley. Even though Coley had already implied that he would "take care of" the doctor, he never had a chance to try anything before Dr. Kirby, blind with rage at his outrageous plans being stopped, tried to kill Coley. In the end, Coley killed to defend himself.

Jim West and Artemus Gordon knew nothing of the doctor's darker plans, nor of Coley's strong objections. They only knew of the tragic events that had led to Kirby's insanity, and Jim was visibly furious when Coley shot Kirby (it being in self-defense notwithstanding).

Coley would have confessed the whole story had it come to that. He and the captured gang members managed to escape the prison transport and were not re-captured before the mysterious event that sent several people into the year 2012.

Shortly before this, he found himself the unlucky witness to an explosion that apparently killed Jim, and was immediately blamed when discovered by Arte and Sheriff Cord of Justice, Nevada. Insistent on proving himself guiltless for this crime, he partnered with Arte to uncover the truth. To Arte's surprise, Coley was a helpful and loyal ally, even saving his life when they were attacked by a mysterious group of hitmen. When Dr. Faustina's machines malfunctioned and everyone was zapped to the present-day, Arte became worried about Coley, first afraid he had been vaporized and then hoping he was still alive somewhere in this new world.

Very much alive, Coley found himself in a strange and unfamiliar environment. But before he had much chance to get used to the new world, he also found himself Pinto's prisoner. For two excruciating weeks he suffered near-constant physical torture at the madman's hands. Among other things, he sustained beatings, wounds, and burns, once with an iron on his right arm. Finally he managed to overpower Pinto and escape his Hell.

Dizzy and ill, he wandered aimlessly through the suburbs of Los Angeles County before finding his way to Ray Norman's golf club. Ray discovered him and immediately took him in, horrified by the inhuman treatment he had received.

As Ray nursed Coley back to health, he found a new purpose in his life. His own emotional torture at Dr. Portman's hands had left him broken, compassionate, and longing for someone who understood what it was to be hurt. Coley could relate, although he felt that Ray had been damaged far worse, once Ray told him his own experience.

Coley was aloof and reserved, but nevertheless found himself opening up to Ray with increasing frequency. Ray was getting under his skin. Coley was grateful for and puzzled by Ray's kindness, especially after learning that Ray had heard him deliriously talking about his own time and believed him. The two were gradually bonding.

When Coley was better, he stayed on at the club as a guest. There was nowhere for him to go, no one else who would believe his past, and he could see no particular point in leaving. Ray wanted him to stay, too, and was happy and hopeful when he did. Coley started trying to repay his debt by protecting Ray from prying reporters and others who wouldn't leave him alone. Soon, however, he found that he honestly felt protective and defensive of Ray, and not just because of any debt. Coley had never been heartless. He discovered that he was coming to care about Ray, as a close friend. It was strange and new to him, but he accepted it.

Things have never been especially peaceful for them. In addition to nosy reporters, some of Ray's past enemies have shown up to bother them too. Coley was nearly killed trying to protect Ray from one of them.

Jim and Arte, alarmed by so many of their enemies loose in the present day, are determined to find a way home and round everyone up to take back. They are willing to leave Coley there, however, as they know that he is truly trying to change and won't be a danger to anyone if he remains.

Coley has not committed any crimes in the present day, nor does he currently have any wish to. He has studied extensively on the present day and its laws and prisons, and while he's intrigued by the changes on how prisons are run, he has no desire to wind up in one. Nor does he want to cause any more trouble for Ray, who would definitely be in trouble if Coley committed a recent crime and was found out. As it is, in this time Coley is a free man with a fresh slate, and he rather likes that.

He has adapted quite well to the modern world. He sometimes answers the telephone for Ray at the golf club, occasionally watches television with a remote control, and can operate a computer. (And he finds it utterly aggravating and exasperating when one of the guests' cats comes and lays on the keyboard while he's using it.) He isn't sure what to think of cars and has not as yet learned to drive. He does like motorcycles and intends to get one, despite Ray's concerns. He doesn't like golf, but inspects the grounds each morning and night to make sure all is in order and there are no intruders.

He still cares deeply about Lafe, something he is a bit surprised to discover, and tries to talk to his old second-in-command about going straight when he appears. Although Lafe isn't sure what to make of it, he is loyal to Coley as he has always been, and they manage to continue and even deepen their friendship in the present. Ray is also a part of this, and the three of them are very good friends by the time Dr. Loveless decides to abduct them.

Coley is a protagonist in these stories, albeit a very unusual and non-typical one. He remains a blunt wild card, sometimes gruff, and perhaps somewhat of an antihero, but in the end, is truly good.