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Roots

TV·1977–1977·1 season, 8 episodes·ABC·Drama·1h 30m·7.4·Created by Alex Haley

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The epic tale of celebrated Pulitzer-prize winning author Alex Haley's ancestors as portrayed in the acclaimed twelve hour mini-series Roots, was first told in his 1976 bestseller Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The docu-drama covers a period of history that begins in mid-1700s Gambia, West Africa and concludes during post-Civil War United States, over 100 years later. This 1977 miniseries eventually won 9 Emmy awards, a Golden Globe award, and a Peabody award, and still stands as the most watched miniseries in U.S. history.

Highest-rated episodes all ranked

  1. 01Roots S01E01Part IS01E01 · 4.4In Gambia, West Africa, Kunta Kinte, son of Omoro and Binta, distinguishes himself 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.
  2. 02Roots S01E02Part IIS01E02 · 3.8Despite a violent rebellion, the slave ship Lord Ligonier completes its voyage and Kunta Kinte endures the indignity of an Annapolis slave auction. Fiddler, the slave in charge of Kunta's training, becomes his only friend, a friendship that's tested when Kunta plans his escape.
  3. 03Roots S01E05Part VS01E05 · 3.7The teenage Kizzy, well-versed in Mandinka history, falls in love with young Noah, who's determined to escape.

Episodes by season

Season01Episode ratings across the season — the gold bar is its best episode8Episodes1977Aired 3.3Season avg
  1. S01E01Roots S01E01Season's bestPart IJanuary 23, 1977 4.4In Gambia, West Africa, Kunta Kinte, son of Omoro and Binta, distinguishes himself in manhood training rituals. But he does not enjoy his ne
  2. S01E02Roots S01E02Part IIJanuary 24, 1977 3.8Despite a violent rebellion, the slave ship Lord Ligonier completes its voyage and Kunta Kinte endures the indignity of an Annapolis slave a
  3. S01E03Roots S01E03Part IIIJanuary 25, 1977 3.3In 1776, a nation fights for freedom - but not for all. Still driven by his memories as a Mandinka "fighting man," Kunta (now renamed Toby)
  4. S01E04Roots S01E04Part IVJanuary 26, 1977 3.5After Genelva's nighttime dalliance with Junta deflects suspicion so she can flee with her lover, Kunta forms a romantic attachment to the w
  5. S01E05Roots S01E05Part VJanuary 27, 1977 3.7The teenage Kizzy, well-versed in Mandinka history, falls in love with young Noah, who's determined to escape.
  6. S01E06Roots S01E06Part VIJanuary 28, 1977 3.7Chicken George is sent to England as payment for his owner's gambling debt.
  7. S01E07Roots S01E07Part VIIJanuary 29, 1977 1.0Chicken George returns to North Carolina to find his sons have married and started families - and to learn about a state law that says his s
  8. S01E08Roots S01E08Part VIIIJanuary 30, 1977 3.3The Civil War is over but night riders terrorize ex-slaves. By marking his clients' horseshoes, Tom identifies the raiders but endangers his

Season 1 ranked & reviewed

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