Ep 1. Palms of Glory

In the first episode of The Big Valley, titled "Palms of Glory," the Barkley family is introduced to viewers along with the danger and drama that surrounds their California ranch. The show starts with Jarrod Barkley, the eldest son, arriving home from San Francisco with his legal skills to help his family with a land dispute. He is greeted at the train station by Heath, the youngest son of the family who was recently found to be a long-lost relative.

Upon arriving home, Jarrod hears about the conflict and is tasked with finding a peaceful solution with the local community who claim the land for themselves. The Barkleys want to use the land for their cattle, but the community, including an influential farmer named Rafe Simmons, believes that the land is sacred and should not be used for commercial purposes.

As the conflict escalates, Heath gets involved with the community and develops a friendship with one of Simmons' daughters, Julie. However, Jarrod is suspicious of both Simmons and his daughter, believing that they may have ulterior motives in their dealings with the Barkleys.

Meanwhile, Victoria Barkley, the matriarch of the family, is dealing with her own problems as she learns that her husband, Tom Barkley, had a mistress who just gave birth to his child. As a proud and dignified woman, Victoria struggles to come to terms with the reality of the situation and decides to take care of the child herself in order to prevent any shame from falling on the family name.

As the tension between the Barkleys and the community reaches a boiling point, Jarrod decides to take drastic action in order to resolve the conflict and protect the rights of his family. With the help of Heath and a few strategic moves, Jarrod manages to broker a peace deal that satisfies all parties involved.

Overall, "Palms of Glory" sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and action-packed first season of The Big Valley, filled with family drama, conflict, and unexpected twists and turns. It introduces viewers to the main characters of the show and establishes their relationships with one another. The premiere also hints at the themes and issues that the show will explore, such as family loyalty, justice, and the clash between tradition and progress.