Ep 13. Night of the Executioners

The Big Valley season 3 episode 13, entitled "Night of the Executioners," is a western drama that aired on December 24, 1967. The episode revolves around a group of vigilantes who take the law into their own hands, and the Barkley family's efforts to stop them.

The episode begins with the arrival of a group of vigilantes in Stockton, the nearest town to the Barkley ranch. The vigilantes, who are led by a man named Joe Scanlon, are taking it upon themselves to rid the area of what they see as a growing criminal element. Scanlon claims that the local authorities are powerless to stop the crime wave, and that the townspeople need to take matters into their own hands.

When the Barkleys hear about the vigilantes, they are immediately suspicious. Victoria Barkley, the matriarch of the family, sends her son Jarrod into town to investigate. Jarrod quickly discovers that the vigilantes have taken over the local jail, and are holding several prisoners without trial. He convinces Sheriff Fred Madden to intervene, but Madden is reluctant to take action against the vigilantes.

Meanwhile, the vigilantes are becoming increasingly aggressive. They break into the Barkleys' ranch and threaten Heath, Jarrod's half-brother. They also harass the local blacksmith, who they believe is in league with the criminals. The Barkleys are outraged by the vigilantes' behavior, and vow to put a stop to it.

As the night wears on, the tension between the vigilantes and the Barkleys reaches a boiling point. Joe Scanlon decides to hold a public execution of one of the prisoners, a man named Matt Johnson, who they believe is a notorious outlaw. The Barkleys rush to the scene and try to stop the execution, but are met with violence. In the chaos, Scanlon is killed, and the remaining vigilantes are taken into custody.

The episode ends with the town returning to a semblance of normalcy, and the Barkleys reflecting on the danger of mob justice. They are relieved that the vigilantes are behind bars, but recognize that the underlying issues of crime and justice will continue to plague the region.

Overall, "Night of the Executioners" is a tense and gripping episode of The Big Valley. It explores themes of vigilantism, justice, and the dangers of mob rule, all while delivering the classic western action that the show is known for. Fans of the series will not want to miss this thrilling installment.