Paul Fix was a wonderful actor in television westerns. He gave Brahma just the right amount of indignation at being put out to pasture and stubborn determination to prove the Barkleys wrong. Virginia Gregg played his daughter and Brooke Bundy played his granddaughter. Both were very good. It was also nice to see Peter Breck's Nick Barkley being reasonable instead of hollering at everyone. I always liked the episodes where all the Barkleys were involved. This one was enjoyable to watch overall.
4 Reviews
Paul Fix was excellent - but the ending was just too tidy
kfo949419 February 2013
An aging cowhand named Braham (Paul Fix) has been working for the Barkleys for many years. On a ride to capture a wild stallion, Nick is nearly killed by the slow action of the aging Braham. When Heath confronts him about his actions and the fact that he is getting slow, Braham gets mad and quits the Barkley Ranch saying that he is as good as ever. The intent of Heath's action was to try to get Braham to take a less physical job than cowhand but Braham cannot see doing anything else.
Braham, in his day, was one of the best cowhands in the valley. And even still, his grand-daughter talks about the tales that were told. But when Braham starts asking for a job from other ranchers in the area, he runs into a reality that he cannot accept.
He believes if he had the right horse he could bring in the wild stallion all by himself. So he steals Heath's horse (named Charger) and out he goes to take on the stallion that has already wounded others. A decision that may prove too dangerous for any man.
The concept was excellent but the ending seemed too tame. Even though the ending was what the viewer expected, it just appeared to easy for the characters to accept. Just caught me wrong at the time. However Paul Fix and the rest were great in the acting abilities which always makes for a nice show. Good Watch
Braham, in his day, was one of the best cowhands in the valley. And even still, his grand-daughter talks about the tales that were told. But when Braham starts asking for a job from other ranchers in the area, he runs into a reality that he cannot accept.
He believes if he had the right horse he could bring in the wild stallion all by himself. So he steals Heath's horse (named Charger) and out he goes to take on the stallion that has already wounded others. A decision that may prove too dangerous for any man.
The concept was excellent but the ending seemed too tame. Even though the ending was what the viewer expected, it just appeared to easy for the characters to accept. Just caught me wrong at the time. However Paul Fix and the rest were great in the acting abilities which always makes for a nice show. Good Watch
A Timeless Theme of Old Age Versus Service
dahlswede19 November 2013
Warning: Spoilers
In The Big Valley (1967) second season episode "The Stallion" viewers obtain a treat: the opportunity to watch a popular television show offering a substantive, timeless theme. The series aired for the first time several decades ago, but some of the issues developed in the program retain a classic vitality.
The Stallion offers strong characterizations, fueling the plot in an entertaining and suspenseful way. The audience also enjoys an opportunity to watch a Western which involves non-violent interactions between the major characters (for the most part) without losing a sense of apprehension about the outcome.
The well constructed script raises some timeless questions: at what age does an employee's desire to continue contributing face limitations imposed by declining physical abilities? And what steps should the friends and loved ones of such an individual take in his best interest? Is it kinder to hurt a person by imposing external changes upon him as a matter of safety or alternatively to permit some one to take life threatening risks? And at what point do other members of society have an obligation to act to protect other people from harm? The main characters of The Big Valley series appear briefly, although Lee Majors as Heath figures most prominently in this particular episode. The guest role of Brahma, a longtime employee of the ranch, superbly portrayed by the late Paul Fix, holds a central place in moving events forward.
Despite some predictability in the concluding scene, overall The Stallion possesses the power to retain viewer interest. It can offer both entertainment and food for thought about a conflict which appears in many different aspects in human history...safety or liberty?
The Stallion offers strong characterizations, fueling the plot in an entertaining and suspenseful way. The audience also enjoys an opportunity to watch a Western which involves non-violent interactions between the major characters (for the most part) without losing a sense of apprehension about the outcome.
The well constructed script raises some timeless questions: at what age does an employee's desire to continue contributing face limitations imposed by declining physical abilities? And what steps should the friends and loved ones of such an individual take in his best interest? Is it kinder to hurt a person by imposing external changes upon him as a matter of safety or alternatively to permit some one to take life threatening risks? And at what point do other members of society have an obligation to act to protect other people from harm? The main characters of The Big Valley series appear briefly, although Lee Majors as Heath figures most prominently in this particular episode. The guest role of Brahma, a longtime employee of the ranch, superbly portrayed by the late Paul Fix, holds a central place in moving events forward.
Despite some predictability in the concluding scene, overall The Stallion possesses the power to retain viewer interest. It can offer both entertainment and food for thought about a conflict which appears in many different aspects in human history...safety or liberty?
No pension plan
bkoganbing5 April 2016
This same plot premise of a long time ranch employee played here by Paul Fix was used in a classic Bonanza episode where long time cowhand Ed Begley was slowing up and would not recognize it. This was an era of rugged individualism and let's not forget that while the Barkleys are good employers as per the era there was no pension plan on The Big Valley any more than Ben Cartwright had one on the Ponderosa.
No pension plan, no social security you worked until you dropped or if you were lucky you had family to take care of you. Fix has that in daughter Virginia Gregg and granddaughter Brooke Bundy. But after Peter Breck is nearly injured trying to capture a wild stallion due to Fix's aging and infirmities Lee Majors tries to give him a more routine job, but Fix takes it as an insult and quits.
I wasn't that crazy about the ending, but you'll rarely see a portrait of pride and stubbornness more true than what Paul Fix gives here. And those facts I mentioned before should be uppermost in your mind when watching this story.
No pension plan, no social security you worked until you dropped or if you were lucky you had family to take care of you. Fix has that in daughter Virginia Gregg and granddaughter Brooke Bundy. But after Peter Breck is nearly injured trying to capture a wild stallion due to Fix's aging and infirmities Lee Majors tries to give him a more routine job, but Fix takes it as an insult and quits.
I wasn't that crazy about the ending, but you'll rarely see a portrait of pride and stubbornness more true than what Paul Fix gives here. And those facts I mentioned before should be uppermost in your mind when watching this story.
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