Ep 20. Under a Dark Star

In the 20th episode of the first season of The Big Valley, titled "Under a Dark Star," the Barkley family faces a dangerous situation when a group of outlaws takes them hostage in their own home.

The episode opens with Victoria Barkley (Barbara Stanwyck) returning home from a trip to San Francisco only to find the house dark and empty. As she investigates, she discovers that her entire family has been kidnapped by a gang of bandits led by a man named Bill Enders (played by John Dehner). The outlaws have taken the Barkleys hostage and are demanding a large sum of money in exchange for their release.

As the night wears on, tensions rise between the Barkleys and their captors. Bill Enders proves to be a cunning and ruthless adversary, constantly outsmarting and intimidating the family. But the Barkleys are not easily beaten, and they soon begin to fight back, using their wits and resourcefulness to try to outmaneuver the gang.

Throughout the episode, the family members find themselves isolated from each other, each trying to come up with a plan to escape their captors. Heath (Lee Majors) leads the charge, using his skills as a brawler and sharpshooter to try to take down the outlaws. Meanwhile, Jarrod (Richard Long) tries to reason with Enders, hoping to convince him to release the hostages unharmed. Nick (Peter Breck) and Audra (Linda Evans) also play key roles in the family's efforts to escape, using their own skills and ingenuity to outfox the bandits.

As the night wears on, the tension in the Barkley household grows increasingly desperate. With each passing minute, the family becomes more uncertain of their fate. But despite the dire circumstances, they remain resolute, determined to fight for their survival no matter what.

In the end, "Under a Dark Star" is a thrilling and suspenseful episode that showcases the resilience and determination of the Barkley family. The stakes are high, and the danger is palpable, but through it all, the family stands together, proving that even in the darkest of times, they will never give up.