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Roots Season 1 Episodes

1977-1977
1 Season
ABC
Documentary, Drama, Action & Adventure
TV-14

Watchlist
Where to Watch

A saga of African-American life, based on Alex Haley's family history. Kunta Kinte is abducted from his African village, sold into slavery, and taken to America. He makes several escape attempts until he is finally caught and maimed. He marries Bell, his plantation's cook, and they have a daughter, Kizzy, who is eventually sold away from them. Kizzy has a son by her new master, and the boy grows up to become Chicken George. He's a legendary cock fighter who leads his family into freedom. Throughout the series, the family observes notable events in U.S. history, such as the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, slave uprisings, and emancipation.

Season 1 Episode Guide

Season 1

8 Episodes 1977 - 1977

Episode 1

Part I

Sun, Jan 23, 197797 mins

In 1750, in Gambia, West Africa, Kunta Kinte, son of Omoro and Binta, distinguishes himself among his tribesmen in manhood training rituals. But he does not enjoy his new status long: slave traders sweeping the countryside seize him. Chained with other captives, Kunta begins an agonized odyssey to the New World.

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Episode 2

Part II

Mon, Jan 24, 197797 mins

Despite a violent rebellion, the slave ship Lord Ligonier completes its voyage in 1767, and Kunta Kinte endures the indignity of an Annapolis slave auction. Fiddler, the slave in charge of Kunta's training, becomes his only friend but Kunta's plans to escape and be with Fanta eventually put their friendship to the test. The events of Roots: The Gift (1988) are set between this and the next episode.

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Episode 3

Part III

Tue, Jan 25, 197750 mins

Kunta Kinte finally finds Fanta, but she is not the woman he once knew. Slave catchers "fix" Toby so that he can run no more. Now he has to decide if this life is worth living. Toby and Fiddler now belong Dr. Reynolds, having been used to pay John Reynolds' debt to his brother. Toby finds a reason to stay and has a daughter.

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Episode 4

Part IV

Wed, Jan 26, 197751 mins

By 1780, Kunta accepts his fate, settles down with Bell and they have a daughter named Kizzy. Several years later, Kizzy befriends Anne, the young girl who was the result of a secret affair between Kizzy's master, Dr. William Reynolds, and the wife of his cuckold brother John, the previous Kunta's owner. The girls quickly, and secretly, become best friends, which ends up having unintended serious consequences later on.

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Episode 5

Part V

Thu, Jan 27, 197751 mins

Although the series was originally aired in 8 parts in the US, it was reedited into 6 parts for its UK release. This is part of episode 4 in the UK version. In 1806, Kunta's teenage daughter Kizzy falls in love with a slave called Noah, who later tries to escape. Unfortunately, he is quickly caught and tortured until he names Kizzy as his accomplice, sealing her horrific fate.

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Episode 6

Part VI

Fri, Jan 28, 197799 mins

In 1824, Kizzy is allowed to visit the plantation of her previous owner, Dr. William Reynolds, and learn the ultimate fate of her parents. Meanwhile, old slave Mingo teaches Kizzy's son George how to become a great cockfighting trainer. This eventually leads to huge unexpected changes in George's status.

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Episode 7

Part VII

Sat, Jan 29, 197751 mins

In 1861, "Chicken George" returns home hoping to free his enslaved family.

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Episode 8

Part VIII

Sun, Jan 30, 197796 mins

The war is over, the Confederacy having surrendered, freeing the slaves. Mr. Harvey invites the slaves to stay if they wish, maybe sharecropping. The rest of the plantation owners, a senator and the sheriff have a meeting to discuss options, with the senator declaring that he's come to buy a lot of land. When tempers flare, the sheriff leaves. President Lincoln is shot by John Wilkes Booth. The former Harvey slaves' encampment is visited by masked men with torches on horses and Harvey is warned to "keep out of it".

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