Ep 12. Night of the Wolf

In the twelfth episode of season one of The Big Valley, titled "Night of the Wolf," the Barkley family finds itself in danger when a pack of vicious wolves starts attacking their cattle. As the family members try to come up with ways to keep their livestock safe, they begin to suspect that the attacks might be the work of a notorious wolf hunter who has been hired by a neighboring rancher.

The episode opens with the Barkleys enjoying a peaceful evening at home when they hear the sad cry of a cow in distress. Upon investigation, they discover that one of their cows has been attacked by a wolf. This is not the first time that the Barkleys have suffered such an attack, as a local pack of wolves has been preying on their livestock for many weeks. Determined to put an end to the problem, Jarrod (Richard Long) and Nick (Peter Breck) set out to track down the wolves and kill them.

As the Barkleys conduct their search, they run into a man named Butler (Pernell Roberts), who claims to be a talented wolf hunter. Butler introduces himself as a professional who has been brought in by a nearby rancher to eliminate the wolf pack. Nick is immediately suspicious of Butler and his intentions, but Jarrod is more trusting and invites the hunter to join them on their search.

As the group continues its hunt, tensions begin to mount between Butler and Nick. Nick accuses Butler of using inhumane methods to catch the wolves, including using poisoned bait and leg traps that cause the animals to suffer. Butler denies the accusations, but Nick remains dubious. Meanwhile, the rest of the Barkley family works to protect the ranch from further attacks. They install more fences, hire additional hands to keep watch, and even bring in a guard dog to keep the wolves at bay.

The situation takes a dangerous turn when Butler devises a plan to trap the wolves in a canyon and kill them all at once. Nick vehemently objects, arguing that such a method is cruel and unnecessary, but Butler insists that it is the best possible solution. The two men come to blows, and Butler accuses Nick of being a soft-hearted animal lover who cares more about the wolves than he does about the welfare of the ranch.

As night falls, the Barkleys hear the howls of the wolves growing closer and closer. They realize with horror that Butler's plan has failed, and the wolves are now on the loose, hungrier and angrier than ever. The family members must band together to defend their home and their livestock from the predators. In the ensuing chaos, they are forced to confront their own beliefs about the proper treatment of animals, as well as their uneasy relationships with the hunters and ranchers who share the land with them.

"Night of the Wolf" is a thrilling and thought-provoking episode of The Big Valley, exploring complex themes of animal rights, human responsibility, and the unpredictable nature of the wild. With a talented cast and a gripping script, it is sure to captivate viewers from start to finish.