The Big Valley

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 claiming to be the deceased Tom Barkley's illegitimate son.

While preparing for a major cattle drive bunching the Barkley's herd with those of other ranchers, Heath has major difficulties being accepted as a Barkley, especially by the ranch hands. Then when Nick's former commander in the war comes to visit, Heath is suspicious of him, and with good reason. He is there to cause trouble and steal the herd!! Nick ends up getting shot while on the drive and has to be taken to town, leaving Heath in charge of the drive.

Victoria 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 of Strawberry to find out more about Tom and Leah's (Heath's mother) relationship.

A mysterious and captivating stranger comes to Audra Barkley's rescue when her horse gets spooked, putting her life in grave danger. Grateful and drawn to her savior, the young woman forms an attachment to him, choosing to overlook his ties to a string of burglaries plaguing the Valley.

Tragedy results when the son of a neighbor to the Barkleys tries to force his attentions on Audra.

War hero Jonathan Eliot (West) intrigues Audra, but her brothers feel there is something off-center about his obsession with purity. West plays against type here as a dark, dark man.

When Jarrod travels to Baker City to finalize a land deal with three Mexican businessmen, he arrives to find the men he was supposed to meet are gone.

A bounty hunter's quarry comes for his newborn son, left with Heath when the mother dies.

Injured and unconscious, Heath is hidden by a widow seeking revenge for her husband's death in a mining incident.