BIG VALLEY, THE: PALMS OF GLORY {SERIES PREMIERE} (TV)
Summary
The first in this series of western dramas about the Barkleys, a wealthy California ranching family. In this episode, Mr. Crown, a railroad magnate, talks with his associates on a train and confirms that he has 200 "hired guns." He meets with Jarrod Barkley, who argues with him about the railroad's plan to take a vast amount of land from the townspeople and farmers, telling him to "advise" the people on the situation with caution, reminding him that people have died in the past as a result of this dispute. Just then, they notice a man racing the train on horseback, and they make increasingly high bets on him, with Jarrod eventually winning when the man outstrips the locomotive. Nick Barkley later encounters the rider on his way into town, and they seem close to a confrontation when the bridge they are standing on collapses and they fight their way out of the river. Nick and Jarrod reunite happily, and their sister Audra catches the same strange man brooding over her father Thomas' grave and angrily sends him away. Jarrod and Nick then meet up with a group of local landowners, who are shocked to hear that the governor vetoed their objections and that they have no choice but to pay the railroad a hefty tax or vacate the land. The men express a desire to fight back, but Jarrod attempts to calm everyone and says they will get an injunction at the courthouse. Nick does not approve and argues with Eugene until their mother, Victoria, intervenes.
The mysterious rider soon arrives, looking for Nick and seeking a job, and introduces himself as Heath. Jarrod, appreciating his help in winning the bet, tells Nick to sign him on. Later that night, however, Nick wakes Heath and demands to know his story, suspecting that he has been sent by the railroad, and is shocked when Heath declares that he is Thomas' bastard son. The rest of the family soon joins him and Heath rants angrily about his mother's recent death and his desire for his rightful heritage, but the other disbelieve his claim and attempt to pay him off, and he leaves. Later, Audra rides through town and is accosted by some rowdy men. Heath rescues her and patches up her injuries, and she attempts to "test" his claim of being her brother. When they escape the town, they find that one of the farmer's homes has been set on fire by the railroad men, reigniting the townsfolks' desire to fight back. Nick and Jarrod argue against them, saying that their father died fighting the government and there is no point in more violence, and the people soon divide, with some following the Barkleys and others following a man named Harry. Back at the Barkley home, Heath encounters Victoria and she tells him that while her husband was "imperfect," he contributed a good deal to the community and stressed the importance of freedom, and tells Heath to be proud of his legacy.
The next day, the men prepare for a fight, and Harry and the others soon approach the Barkleys and their men and order them off the land, having all been deputized. A firefight breaks out and several men are killed, with Harry's side eventually retreating. The Barkleys look sadly at the carnage, and Jarrod offers Heath a cigar as a sign of acceptance. At the breakfast table, however, Nick balks at being told to wait for his "brother," saying that Crown will return with more men soon and complaining that the land is precious and that Heath needs to work hard as well to prove himself. Just then, Heath enters and discusses fixing the broken bridge, and Nick is forced to accept him into the fold. The family then sits down together and enjoys the meal after saying grace. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: September 15, 1965 Wednesday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:50:18
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T78:0600
- GENRE: Drama, western
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, western
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1965-1969
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Jules Levy … Producer
- Arthur Gardner … Producer
- Arnold Laven … Producer
- William A. Graham … Director
- A.I. Bezzerides … Created by
- Louis F. Edelman … Created by
- Christopher Knopf … Writer
- George Duning … Music by
- Richard Long … Cast, Jarrod Barkley
- Peter Breck … Cast, Nick Barkley
- Lee Majors … Cast, Heath Barkley
- Linda Evans … Cast, Audra Barkley
- Barbara Stanwyck … Cast, Victoria Barkley
- Charles Briles … Cast, Eugene Barkley
- Len Wayland … Cast, Sheriff Lyman
- Vincent Gardenia … Cast, John Sample
- Dal McKennon … Cast, Abner Worth
- Dennis Cross … Cast, Hoak
- Arthur Peterson … Cast, Swenson
- Malachi Throne … Cast, Crown