The Big Valley

Season 1

TV-PG

Victoria Barkley heads her adult brood on the Barkley Ranch in California's San Joaquin Valley, near Stockton, in the 1870s. Heath is the illegitimate son of Victoria's husband, Tom (who is dead at the time of the series). Bank robbers, horse thieves, revolutionaries, and land grabbers keep the Barkleys hopping.

Where to Watch Season 1

30 Episodes

Palms of Glory
E1
Episode 1Palms of GloryIn this series premiere, the railroad has hired men to force the farmers and ranchers of Stockton off their land. The Barkleys join with the rest of the valley to help fight them off. While at home an angry young man, Heath, shows up claimimg to be the deceased Tom Barkleys' illegitimate son.
Forty Rifles
E2
Episode 2Forty RiflesAs Heath settles into life in the Valley, his authority is questioned by the men employed to aid him in a huge cattle drive, which is further complicated by the arrival of a former general with plans of his own.
Boots with My Father's Name
E3
Episode 3Boots with My Father's NameVictoria begins to wonder if Tom ever truly loved her, if he could go off and have an affair which produces a child. So she's off to Heath's hometown Strawberry to find out more about Tom and Leah's (Heath's mother) relationship.
Young Marauders
E4
Episode 4Young MaraudersAudra is save by a man who claims to be a mustang hunter, but who's band of mustangers are also extorting protection money from the farmers and ranchers of Stockon. While Audra is smitten with him her brothers are suspicious, and soon find out the truth. Which Audra does as well. . .after she is kidnapped by them.
The Odyssey of Jubal Tanner
E5
Episode 5The Odyssey of Jubal TannerAfter 30 years a man comes back to the Valley to claim land promised to him by the late Tom Barkley. The land is now the site of a proposed dam that will benefit the community. The Barkleys argue among themselves and with the local landowners about whether the man is entitled to stay.
Heritage
E6
Episode 6HeritageWhile Heath investigates violence at one of the Barkley mines, he discovers that the miners hate the Barkley's for unkept promises. This discovered they work to set things right before anything else happens.
Winner Lose All
E7
Episode 7Winner Lose AllHeath falls for a beautiful spanish girl, whose father happens to be involved in a land dispute with the Barkleys! Her father disapproves of Heath because of his illegitamate birth, picturing a much finer bred man for his only daughter. He sets about using the land problems to break them apart.
My Son, My Son
E8
Episode 8My Son, My SonA neighboring rancher's teenage son returns to Stockton after being away many years and is immediately obsessed with Audra. He tangles with Audra's defender, Heath, which leads to a feud between the families. The dispute further escalates with a shooting, and then the boy's background is divulged.
Earthquake!
E9
Episode 9Earthquake!Victoria is in a mission church with a pregnant indian woman, when an earthquake collapses it into a forgotten mine underneath. As if the situation isn't isn't bad enough. . they are also trapped with a man whom Nick had fired and who now has a serious grudge against the Barkleys.
The Murdered Party
E10
Episode 10The Murdered PartyJarrod defends a man accused of murder, even though the only witness is his own brother, Heath!!
The Way to Kill a Killer
E11
Episode 11The Way to Kill a KillerAn old Barkley friend, a hard-working Mexican national, comes to Stockton to sell his herd of cattle. When it is found out the cattle are infected with a deadly, infectious disease, he refuses to destroy the animals or isolate his cattle from healthy Barkley stock.
Night of the Wolf
E12
Episode 12Night of the WolfWhen Nick injures his arm after being bitten by a rabid wolf, after Heath takes care of his injured arm, and takes him to the doctor, he leaves home without explaining himself to his family outside of Heath.
The Guilt of Matt Bentell
E13
Episode 13The Guilt of Matt BentellHeath lashes out at the Barkleys' new timber camp foreman, who was the sadistic commandant of the Confederate prison camp where Heath was held. The timber crew also resent the foreman - especially two brothers sworn to kill him.
The Brawlers
E14
Episode 14The BrawlersA group of irish immigrants settle down on Barkley land, believing that they bought the land legally. Nick, along with the others at first, believes they are merely squatters. They, however, refuse to believe that the land does not belong to them.
Judgement in Heaven
E15
Episode 15Judgement in HeavenJarrod decides to bring home one of his clients, a young woman named Maybelle, for Christmas. Her accused crime aiding and abbetting her outlaw boyfriend, a boyfriend who recently escaped from jail and is now looking for Maybelle.
The Invaders
E16
Episode 16The InvadersWhile out counting cattle Heath comes across a dead animal. When he gets down off of his horse to investigate, he is shot by the same rawhiders who killed the cow. When they realize that he is still alive, they decide to take him back to the ranch for a finder's ""reward"". Once there they find that all of the other men are gone for at least a week, leaving the house and all within ripe for the picking.
By Fires Unseen
E17
Episode 17By Fires UnseenNick returns from a trip from San Francisco with a big surprise. . . a fiance!! While he is completely smitten with her, the rest of the family isn't so quickly won over. They see the truth, that she's just not ready to leave behind the life of parties and numerous suitors, to which she has become accustomed.
A Time to Kill
E18
Episode 18A Time to KillJarrod is happy to see an old law school friend. . until he learns there is a secret service agent on his tail. It seems everywhere he goes counterfeit money follows, and Jarrod is determined to find out what's going on with his old friend.
Teacher of Outlaws
E19
Episode 19Teacher of OutlawsAn outlaw gang leader orders his men to kidnap a teacher so he can learn to read and write for a special purpose. His men nab Victoria by mistake-she pretends to be the school marm to buy time for the Barkley boys to find her.
Under a Dark Star
E20
Episode 20Under a Dark StarPardoned after a long imprisonment for a crime he didn't commit, a man has Jarrod's help in adjusting to being free again. The man is hired to work at the ranch and after having doubt planted by one of the hands, his fear of returning to prison may lead to the death of the man who was the Prosecuting Attorney in the his case- Jarrod.
Barbary Red
E21
Episode 21Barbary RedNick celebrates his birthday at a waterfront saloon where he is drugged and shanghaied for sea duty. Jarrod suspects an old client of his, Barbary Red, is behind Nick's disappearance- Eugene and Heath help him investigate his hunch.
The Death Merchant
E22
Episode 22The Death MerchantHandy Random, theman who killed the man that killed Tom Barkley, comes to Stockton. It's a happy reunion for all but Heath who hates the man, and for good reason. Everywhere he goes he starts range wars to profit from them.
The Fallen Hawk
E23
Episode 23The Fallen HawkHeath helps an old friend, Ward, and his wife Nora, after Ward becomes crippled in an accident partly Heath's fault. Tensions arise when Ward tries to guilt Heath into giving him $5,000 for a timber investment.
Hazard
E24
Episode 24HazardA man arrives at the ranch looking for Heath and is shot by two trailing bounty hunters who claim he is wanted for murder. While the man is recuperating at the ranch, Jarrod travels to Coreyville to look into the murder charge and Heath comes to terms with an old grudge.
Into the Widow's Web
E25
Episode 25Into the Widow's WebHeath's childhood sweetheart Libby suddenly reappears in his life, bringing nothing but trouble.He ends up thrown in jail, accused of the murder of Liberty's drunken husband, by the new D.A. who's out to prove that the Barkleys power and money can't buy everything. It's a race to prove Heath's innocence and save him from a fate at the end of a rope!!
By Force and Violence
E26
Episode 26By Force and ViolenceWhile travelling cross country, Victoria and Heath have an accident resulting in Heath becoming pinned under their heavily loaded wagon. Victoria seeks help and turns to a mysterious man who is being pursued by aggressive bounty hunters.
The River Monarch
E27
Episode 27The River MonarchWhen a riverboat belonging to the the Barkleys, which sank years before taking with it a fortune in government gold, is recovered, the gold is nowhere to be found. Rumors and accusations soon fly, that it was Tom Barkley who stole the gold and sank the boat to cover it up. An investigation follows which seems to prove that Tom was guilty, a fact that could cost the Barkleys their fortune!!!
The Midas Man
E28
Episode 28The Midas ManAudra falls for a dashing but ruthless financier who has maneuvered many of the ranchers into taking out risky loans with him during a drought with the intention of potentially foreclosing on their land.
Tunnel of Gold
E29
Episode 29Tunnel of GoldA new General Store, owned by a husband/wife team, is invaded by outlaws who plan to tunnel across to the Railroad Baggage Depot- where Barkley gold is held for shipment. Complications arise when it is determined that the outlaws are being helped by the husband, the Barkley's visit the store and there is a deadly gas leak in the tunnel.
Last Train to the Fair
E30
Episode 30Last Train to the FairWhile on their way to the fair in Sacremento, Audra is stricken with a severe case of appendicitis. Fortunately there is a doctor on board, unfortunately he is being chased down by men who wish to see him hang.