The Big Valley

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ABC (ended 1969)
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Show Summary

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The Big Valley is set in the 1870's in California's gorgeous San Joaquin Valley. The series tells the story of Stockton's richest and most powerful family, The Barkleys. Lead by the family matriarch and widow Victoria Barkley, they live on the Barkley Ranch managing their cattle, mines, citrus groves and logging camps. Victoria's four adult brood consists of her two sons Jarrod and Nick, daughter Audra and step-son Heath. Jarrod, a prominent lawyer, handles all of the families legal issues and manages his two law offices in Stockton and San Francisco. Nick, a strong built rancher, physically manages the family's holdings. Nick is aggressive, out-spoken and at times hot-headed. Victoria's youngest child is her beautiful daughter Audra. Audra is protected by all of the family members. Audra is very sensitive, caring, loves horses, and is a very talented rider. Heath, Victoria's step-son, helps Nick manage the family's possessions. Heath tends to be quiet, reserve and sincere but stands up for what he believes in and wears the Barkley name proudly. There was a fourth young son, Eugene, in the first season but he is gone without explanation after that. The Barkley family members bond together like glue when troubles arise such as land disputes, squatters, bank robbers, horse thieves, kidnapping, injuries and illness. They share strong family values, joy, laughter, heartache and pain as they deal with life's problems.moreless
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Episode Guide

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S 4 :  Ep 26 Aired 5/19/69
S 4 :  Ep 25 Aired 4/28/69
S 4 :  Ep 24 Aired 4/21/69
S 4 :  Ep 23 Aired 4/7/69
S 4 :  Ep 22 Aired 3/31/69

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Fan Reviews (4)

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  • A very good show. This show wasn't afraid, like some, to tackle the true problems of family life.

    9.1
    "Superb"
    By daisyduke71, Feb 04, 2007
    This show was about a family who lived in San Joaquin Valley, in California. It starred Victoria Barkley (Barbara Stanwyck, who starred in many westerns movies), who was clan matriarch. It also starred her son's Jarrod (Richard Long), a lawyer from San Francisco, Nick Barkley (Peter Breck), the hot-headed, and very kind and caring at times, ranch foreman, Heath Barkley (Lee Majors who starred in the Six Million Dollar man and later the Fall Guy), who was the illegitimate son of Victoria's late husband Tom and was also at first not accepted (especially by Nick) but later become a major part of the family,Audra (Linda Evans of Dynasty fame), their head strong sister and and another son Eugene who left after the first season never to return or be spoke of again. They fought everything from being shangiaied to rustlers, sand storms to rabies (Nick got it in one episode by getting bit by a wolf). Even though they would fight each other, like in the first episode when Heath shows up claming to be a Barkley and Nick almost kills him, but in the end they all loved each other and if one was in trouble they stood by him or her. This was a very good western series.moreless

  • Big Valley is a great show to watch and I enjoy it.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By stargirl17, Jul 08, 2006
    The Big Valley was about Victoria, Audra, Nick, Jarrod, and Heath Barkley. They lived on their own ranch in westren days. They dealed with thieves, love, and loss. I started watching the show with my mom when she wouldn\'t let me turn to something I liked. I actually have come to like it more than Bonanza. I liked how it had that they were a family and that they always stuck together. Now I even watch it reguraly. Its a good a show that everybody can watch and more people should watch it. Big Valley is a great show and I\'m glad they made it.moreless

  • A family drama set against a western age.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By flurfgirl, May 01, 2006
    The best episodes of this series are the first ones. Before the family got too lovey dovey and the episodes became too cut and paste. My favorite character is Heath. He started off an angry young man. He came to the Barcleys with something to proove and a manner that suited what he thought had happened to his mother. My favorite episode is "Boots with My Father's Name" where Victoria travels to Heath's hometown to find out the truth. Once that story line panned out and Heath truely became one of the family the show lost some of its flow for me. There are still great episodes with daring rescues and mysterious strangers, but I think the best times were when the family drama was stirred up again. Brother against brother.... I love it :)moreless

  • This was a classic TV Western drama.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By vicmackey31, Apr 13, 2006
    Another classic show and is one of the best westerns to ever appear on television. Even beyond that, it is one of the better shows on television period. The writing was so good that it still holds up to today's standards. The regular cast was outstanding. The guest starts were absolutely fantastic. In this time period of television many famous actors would make appearances on great television shows such as this. Then there were the up and coming actors that would go on to become huge stars and used this as a springboard of sorts. All in all a great show that can still be watched today without missing a beat. I loved Lee Majors in this show. It really gave his carrer a boost.moreless
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The Big Valley Forums


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  • The Big Valley on Film 24 in the UK
    The Big Valley is currently screening on Film 24 in the UK. Filom 24 is on the Astra/Sky satellite channel 157. They have begun wi...
    By daveblyth, Aug 15, 2009
    01/07/12
    5
    Reply
  • audra
    spring has sprung !
    By aubra, Mar 20, 2009
    03/20/09
    1
    Reply
  • The Barkley Dynasty
    Good evening, I am new to this board. I am also a Big Valley fan. I watch reruns on Encore Cable - Western channel 423 - here in I...
    By schaeffer55, Dec 25, 2008
    02/27/09
    2
    Reply
  • The Big Valley - MIA on Encore
    From Kadi: Hi, I,ve just joined tv.com it looks great. Am just finding my way around this site.I love all the favorite westerns t...
    By speard, Jan 09, 2009
    01/09/09
    1
    Reply
  • Barbara Stanwyck
    Some one asked if Miss Stanwyck did her own stunts. Where would be a good reference material with that information?
    By KatePH, Aug 25, 2008
    08/25/08
    1
    Reply

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epic adventure, for the nostalgic, gunfights, high stake situations, making ends meet

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