The Big Valley (TV Series) Bounty on a Barkley (1968) User Reviews

Peter Breck is at the top of his game in this enjoyable episode.

[kfo9494 · 8/10 · 6 November 2012]

The episode begins as Nick is in this nearby town's saloon playing some cards. This guy comes in named Wheeler and starts playing cards with Nick. Wheeler can see something going on outside and tells Nick that he cheated in cards. Of course Nick is ready to fight as the two men walk outside. When outside Wheeler, using Nick as a shield, shoots three men dead. Nick, knowing nothing about the men, still gets his famous punch in as the sheriff appears. Wheeler is a bounty hunter and has just killed a wanted man and has to stay in town for a few days until the money arrives.

When Nick arrives home he meets this beautiful girl that has just moved into Stockton. Nick is smitten to death with the women as he does his best to prove his love toward the women. But we, as the viewer, knows that the women, Layla Johnson, has some secret that she is hiding from Nick.

Soon the secret become known as her husband is none other than Wheeler Johnson the same man Nick has met earlier in the saloon. When Wheeler finds out about Nick things turn sour. A gunfight occurs but the ladies hand still seems up for grabs. The true decision will be left up to Layla which will lead to sadness for one person.

After a few episodes that seemed lacking, this show brings back all we like about 'The Big Valley'. Peter Breck is at the top of his game in this episode as he takes the lead in this episode to make it an enjoyable watch.

Not my favorite except for one thing

[mlbroberts · 7/10 · 28 March 2021]

The only standout about this episode is that Nick (Peter Breck) gets to show his best soft, romantic side. I always remember his "Sir Lancelot." It's sweet, playful, romantic. His description of how his brothers romance a woman is just as playful. It's an endearing scene, not too long and not too short, and very nicely done. Peter Breck pretty much played himself when he played Nick big, but this sweet Nick let him show his stuff better.

Strains of Alex North

[cheadwrites · 26 January 2017]

I like this episode, which allows the normally bombastic Nick Barkley to show his softer side. But every time I watch it, I always wonder why I hear the strains of the love theme from Spartacus (1960) by composer Alex North.

Hmm. Could it be that Elmer Bernstein has borrowed, a bit, from his fellow composer?

North was nominated for 15 Academy Awards for his music compositions, but won only an honorary Oscar in 1986. Bernstein, on the other hand, has had 14 Oscar nominations and won the Academy Award in 1967 (Thoroughly, Modern Millie), an Emmy and two Golden Globes.

I love Elmer Bernstein's music scores. Including the scores of two of my favorite movies: The Magnificent Seven, and To Kill a Mockingbird.

I have two takeaways. It's hard to "unhear" a beautiful piece of music; and, as the old saying goes: imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

The wedding ring or lack thereof

[bkoganbing · 4/10 · 16 September 2016]

I wasn't all that crazy about this Big Valley story. It seems as though a lot of time and trouble might have been settled if Leslie Parrish had just told the truth up front. Or plainly showed a wedding ring on her finger if she indeed wore won. Or wasn't Peter Breck looking?

Nick Barkley was looking, just not that part of her anatomy. During the course of this program he meets both Parrish and falls for her and her husband Peter Haskell who is a known bounty hunter. I think you can see where this is going.

In fact the Stockton area has issued a bounty on a rather large bear that's killing cattle and other four legged creatures. Though it's not his usual quarry Haskell joins in the hunt as do Peter Breck and Lee Majors. That's where things come to a head.

Not one of the better stories.