At first glance, Westerns might seem like an unlikely place to break new ground in television. However, just because series like Bonanza and Gunsmoke are set in the past doesn't mean that they have to reflect the series' values. In fact, Westerns often pursued subject matter much too fraught for a television show set in the modern day, including racism, addiction, and murder.

Still, in the 1960s, there was only so far you could push the envelope before you found your hands tied. By the time Barbara Stanwyck began her tenure as Victoria Barkley of The Big Valley, she had already established herself as a tremendously talented actor. More than that, she had also been involved in The Big Valley since the early days of its production. These things meant that Stanwyck had more than the typical actor's sway in the content being produced for the series.

According to an interview with The Los Angeles Times, there was a brief period of time when it seemed that The Big Valley wasn't going to make it to air; luckily, ABC agreed to give the show a chance. Stanwyck, who had been the ideal actress for the role of the Barkley matriarch, was asked if she'd still like to be a part of the show's cast. The actor agreed, though with some stipulations.

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In the original drafts of the series, Victoria Barkley had been born out of hardship, and with a good head on her shoulders, she had a certain grittiness to her personality that was rarely seen in women acting in Westerns. Stanwyck saw these qualities as imperative to the success of the series and demanded that they keep the strong-willed woman that she remembered. The actor said, "I wanted to resurrect the old broad we had before, and not be born to the manor and the teacup."

In fact, Stanwyck originally had plans to take things a step further. She said, "I even thought the illegitimate fourth son should have been mine, instead of my deceased husband's." While it would have made for interesting television, it was just a bit too extreme for a series that premiered in 1965. So, Heath Barkley remained the illegitimate son of the late Thomas Barkley, with Victoria taking the man in as her own son.

Stanwyck confessed, "I was told this would spoil the mother image."

So while Stanwyck didn't necessarily get everything she wanted out of the character, Victoria Barkley can still be considered an interesting and important character. With her determination and sincerity, she's a character we aspire to be more like.