BETRAYED
WRITER: James Thorpe
DIRECTOR: Norma Bailey
When Grisham causes Vera to fall from her horse, the unscrupulous Captain blames the Queen. Montoya calls for martial law to stop the avenger once and for all, and it seems that everything is finally in place for Montoya to succeed. How can the Queen possibly escape this time?
GUEST STARRING
MARIA DEL CARMEN RUIZ as Rosa
By Eliza
elizawpg@home.com

Typical opening. The Queen has intercepted a gold shipment; the last one standing is Grisham. Vera is out riding and sees the duel. By the time she reaches the pair, the Queen has disarmed Grisham. Maybe it was because of the piece of anatomy that was threatened at the time, but Vera tries to "rescue" Marcus. She gets between them and Grisham, trying to get her out of the way, spooks her horse. The Queen gets away, without the gold, but Vera is thrown.

Hidalgo and Montoya talk about the amount of land the colonel has seized in the past six months. Hidalgo hints that if he had a stake in the arrangements he could calm the concerns of the dons. Montoya suggests that this might be one of Vera's ideas. As they exit the courtyard, talking, Grisham rides up with an unconscious Vera. He blames the Queen. Vera is taken to Dr. Helm.

As Tessa dresses, she discusses the situation with Marta and decides to go into town to check on Vera.

Hidalgo offers Helm "anything" to make Vera better. The Doc explains that there is nothing he can do; she is in a coma.

Montoya and Tessa discuss the Queen as they walk through the square. He explains that "it takes all his resources to fight that demon from Hell." Through the conversation, where Montoya is vehement about the Queen's evil and Tess is placating, she finds out that Grisham has spread the story that the Queen has hurt Vera. Montoya tells Tessa that Grisham is praying in the church for Vera's recovery.

(A quick change?!) The Queen confronts Grisham in the church. It is a trap. There's a fight. She gets away.

Hidalgo is incensed that she escaped. Montoya agrees with the sentiment.

MONTOYA: If I had my way I would not have had a mere 20 men chasing her, I would have had 200."
HIDALGO: Then you must get 200. Get a thousand!

(Oh, the look on Montoya's face.) The colonel convinces Hidalgo that martial law is the way for him to raise and army and catch the Queen.

To say Montoya is pleased in an understatement and he is telling Grisham all about it. The captain doesn't look thrilled.

GRISHAM: Let me ask you something. Hypothetically speaking...
MONTOYA: Oh, dear. I always get nervous when you use words of more than three syllables.

Grisham tells Montoya the truth and that Vera will confirm it when she comes to. Montoya is not pleased and lets Grisham know what will happen if this gets out -- Grisham would be branded a murderer and Montoya would have his commission revoked and be sent back to Spain in disgrace. Unless... the lovely Vera does not wake up.

GRISHAM: You're not going to kill her.
MONTOYA: No, no, no. Of course, I am not going to kill her. You are.

The Doc is dealing with a patient in his front office, so Grisham sneaks in the back. (I love this whole scene) Grisham's "attempt" to kill Vera is so sweet. Vera's confusion when it brings her around is very funny (Elsa was under-utilized in this series) Grisham realizes that he has to keep her quiet and so gives her laudanum to put her back out.

"Something tickles my curiosity. What part of -- kill -- her-- did you not understand?" Grisham tries to convince Montoya that Vera doesn't have to die, just stay quiet until martial law is established. Hidalgo interrupts with the documents, signed by the dons, that gives Montoya the power to enforce martial law. Montoya doesn't look convinced of Grisham's idea but he has other things for his captain to do.

While Grisham is rounding up the local farmers, the Queen shows up. She challenges Grisham and he tells her about the martial law. A dozen men appear and chase the Queen through the country.

Marta and Tessa have a talk while Marta brushes Tessa's hair. Marta suggests going back to Spain, "just for a vacation." Or at least have the Queen take a vacation. Tessa wishes Vera would wake up

Vera is waking up and Grisham is there with more laudanum. The Doc walks in just as Vera has passed out again. He is suspicious, but gives Grisham the benefit of the doubt after he checks on Vera. They have an interesting conversation, punctuated by Helm literally shoving Grisham out the door.

Montoya arrives at the Alvarado hacienda to inform Tessa of the conscription. She plays the helpless Dona, "who will protect me if I am all alone", but nothing will prevent Montoya from building his army. He gives her 24 hours to comply. She will not comply; she doesn't want to end up fighting her own men. Vera is her best hope; Tessa goes into town.

Helm is with a patient. Tessa walks in, without knocking <g>, and says she will wait to see Vera. Helm isn't pleased but continues with his patient. The laudanum he gave her wasn't helping, he discovers that it is water. He goes to the surgery, to his medicine cabinet, then he remembers Grisham. He smells Vera's breath. "Son-of-a-bitch! I'll kill him."

Helm goes to Grisham's and tells him to keep his hands off his patience. Another fight, no Queensbury rules this time. Helm gives as good as he gets and Grisham doesn't have a stick of furniture left by the time they end up in the garrison square. They gain an audience, including Tessa and Montoya. The colonel watches with interest. He makes a half-hearted attempt to stop it, "Gentlemen, gentlemen.", then kicks a pistol, that has ended up in the dirt at his feet, into the fray, "Oops. Clumsy me." Grisham gets it first.

Helm explains to Montoya that Grisham drugged Vera (wonderful opportunity for snappies of PW & VP) Montoya has Helm thrown in jail. "I cannot allow the ravings of one unhinged individual to undermine the safety of the whole community." He reminds Helm that treason is a hanging offence and that he should think before accusing the Captain of the Guard. Helm gets the message.

Marta and the Queen revive Vera... sort of. The noise she makes, it's like she is drunk, alerts Grisham. Vera and Marta escape in the wagon while the Queen distracts Grisham. Typical result.

The Queen meets up with Marta and Vera, who is sleeping again. Marta says Vera should wake up soon and she heads home. When Vera wakes, the Queen tells her what is going on. Once she finds out that Gaspar has given up her... oops, his power, she is furious. "Leave everything to me."

Hidalgo wants Montoya to revoke martial law now that it is known that the Vera only fell from her horse (She left out Grisham's part in it) Of course Montoya refuses, very nicely. After Hidalgo leaves, Montoya joins Grisham on the balcony. They realize that Helm is the only weak link. Montoya suggests that the doctor could use a walk in the country. Grisham eagerly volunteers to accompany him.

The Queen joins the outing. After dealing with the uniforms, we are left with the Queen, Grisham, and Helm, hands tied, with a pistol barrel in his cheek. She suggests that the bullet is better used on her. Helm doesn't approve of the idea and, while Grisham thinks about it, manages to get his hands free. He attacks Grisham and we find out who has the harder head -- the Doc is unconscious again. Back to same old, same old. Grisham makes a move and disarms the Queen. He asks if she has any last requests. She has: "Blood is so hard to get out of lace. Do you mind if I duck before the doctor shoots you?" They let the captain walk home.

Helm and the Queen talk on the ride home. She convinces him to stay quiet -- for Vera. To tell the whole truth would expose her affair.

Vera is playing Marcus beautifully. He is apologizing, and apologizing. She says she will forgive him if he destroys the document that gives Montoya the power to enforce martial law. He agrees. "That's my good little Capitan."

He must have done it, for the last scene has Tessa commiserating with Montoya over the loss of his army. He makes his typical "I will have her head on a pike" speech and takes his leave. Tessa and Marta continue through the square, summarizing the situation.

MARTA: Everything is back to normal.

TESSA: Normal? Well, as good as it's going to get."

(The irony of that last line!)And the camera follows them as they walk away from it and through the square.

~~Thanks Eliza!!