The Big Valley (TV Series) Top of the Stairs (1969) User Reviews

Something rotten going on

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 31 May 2016]

In this episode we learn of an extended family to the Barkleys as Barbara Stanwyck and Linda Evans stop off in Abbottsville to visit Tom Barkley's brother Jim. The women are on their way to a wedding in San Francisco.

When they get there they are told that brother Jim is in seclusion because he's become mentally unstable by another pair of old friends Paul Fix who is the Abbott the town is named after and his lawyer son Ron Harper. He's also the chief employer in the town with his silver mine. Lately though the mine has been shut down since the price of silver dropped. One of those precious metal market things.

When she can't get in to see her brother-in-law Victoria smells something rotten in the town of Abbottsville. Especially after another friend Dr. Robert Ellenstein is murdered.

All I can say is that there's quite a little conspiracy going on. And this is one time that Victoria Barkley should have been traveling with her son Jarrod. Richard Long would have smelled it out quicker.

One of Barbara Stanwyck's better episodes and it's always good when one of the screen's greatest legends is in the center of a Big Valley Story.

Script was more in line for a horror movie-- but well done

[kfo9494 · 9/10 · 24 August 2012]

In an episode that is more in-line with a horror movie, this show is a pleasant change of pace from the usual western story.

Victoria and Audra while on the way to a wedding in San Francisco, stop in Abbottsville to visit Victoria's brother-in-law. But when they exit the coach they are met by Eric Abbott that tells them that the brother-in-law has lost his mind and has to be locked up in his room to avoid hurting himself and others.

When they arrive at the house, the doctor is leaving the locked room and tells Victoria that she cannot visit the man at this time. But Victoria believes something is strange in the old house. And now we are left with odd sounds and shadows coming from the locked room at the top of the stairs.

The episode will keep the viewer glued to the scene waiting the next view from the room. And by the end of the show all the pieces will fall into place and the viewers know that they have been entertained. Good Watch.

Worth a Look

[summerfields · 7/10 · 14 April 2010]

This episode concerns Victoria traveling to visit a relative she isn't permitted to see (because he's dead) Stanwyck is such an amazing actress: so real and nothing phoney about her at all. The scene where she notices a ring on her abductor's finger is great: ("It was YOU!") with than Stanwyckesque verve uniquely her own.

That house is a generic one used as various 'sets' on my episodes: it's been a run-down deserted hovel and a beautiful delight owned by other characters! ABC was very resourceful (the infamous generic sunrise scene is hilariously obvious in re-runs, but hey, who cares?)

All in all, it's a fairly good (and gripping) episode but not a great one.

They've come to see Jim Barkley

[jarrodmcdonald-1 · 15 October 2016]

In this episode we see Victoria and Audra on their way to a wedding. They are forced to take a detour and stop off in a mining town where Tom Barkley's brother Jim lives. Victoria is anxious to see him, and Audra says her uncle became a special person in her life after her father died. But before they can head out to Jim's place, they learn from a young lawyer in town that Jim has gone insane and is confined to a room upstairs in his home. Victoria and Audra go out there anyway, and when they arrive, they have to wait to see Jim. They are told a doctor is looking in on him.

However, when the doctor comes down, he says Jim is too violent and has been given an injection of some sort. Victoria and Audra will have to wait until the morning to see him. It soon becomes obvious that their visit with Jim is being put off. When Victoria is denied more than one chance to see her brother-in-law, she naturally becomes quite suspicious.

I feel this episode is structured rather well, because it keeps building but then delaying the "truth" about Jim. And that only increases the suspense. It doesn't seem too dragged out, because Stanwyck commands our attention with her expert acting. We know Victoria will prevail and get to the bottom of things. But before she does, she will take a few beatings from the lawyer who's trying to cover up what really happened to Jim Barkley.

Excellent episode

[kellielulu · 8/10 · 17 April 2022]

Victoria and Audra Barkley are attending a wedding for a family friend in San Francisco. They are stopping to visit Victoria's brother in law and Audra's uncle. Problem? They're told he's mentally incompetent and are not allowed to see him. Victoria of course is suspicious and sends Audra to the wedding without her while she investigates the mystery. It all unravels quickly but the tension is there for start to finish. The script was tight but not spare . Well written and acted .

Victoria Barkley could always handle herself and was never easily fooled. She was aided by others at times but she was competent and was never bullied by anyone. She also cared about others and helped out whenever it was needed.