First of all, let me say this is not the best episode of the series, nor is it the best episode of season 2. But I give it a rating of 10, because I think it's perfect in the way it delves into mob rule versus law and order. We've seen these kinds of stories in countless western films and TV programs. But this script is very literate, and some of the speeches that Jarrod makes to his mother in his room and later in the courtroom are very thought-provoking. It proves you don't need guns and men leaping off rooftops all the time to have a very satisfying episode of 'The Big Valley.'
Because this was filmed in 1960s, we get mostly (if not all) Caucasian actors playing the Basques with make-believe thick accents. But that's a minor quibble. The performances are uniformly strong from the guest cast, especially Joe Campanella who was invited back to do another story later this season.
I think what impresses me most about this episode is how Jarrod must deal with people who see the law as being for their own gain, instead of it being for the gain of the whole community. Even the judge, whom we learn early on is a friend of the Barkleys, has his own prejudices and uses for the law. It could have become rather preachy-- but instead, this lesson in justice doesn't come across as a sermon, it comes across more like a sobering exercise on the abuses of power.
Because this was filmed in 1960s, we get mostly (if not all) Caucasian actors playing the Basques with make-believe thick accents. But that's a minor quibble. The performances are uniformly strong from the guest cast, especially Joe Campanella who was invited back to do another story later this season.
I think what impresses me most about this episode is how Jarrod must deal with people who see the law as being for their own gain, instead of it being for the gain of the whole community. Even the judge, whom we learn early on is a friend of the Barkleys, has his own prejudices and uses for the law. It could have become rather preachy-- but instead, this lesson in justice doesn't come across as a sermon, it comes across more like a sobering exercise on the abuses of power.
