201 MIRROR, MIRROR

Reviewed by Margie {WebJefa}
czonian@mindspring.com

Will the real Maria Teresa Alvarado, please stand up? After reading the premiere virtual episode entitled "Mirror, Mirror", I wanted to share my comments and provide the writer some feedback on the story. First of all, my compliments to Maril for writing a great story and choosing it as the first episode for the virtual second season.

Although it is not the same as actually seeing live action taking place and watching the actors perform their scenes, the story was written as if I could visualize the images of what was going on in the story. For example, Helm and Montoya holding their conversation somewhere in the middle of the town under the sun. The altercation between the two strong-headed men was well depicted. Montoya continues to express his domineering power over everyone who crosses his path. Great line: "Like you, I have the power over life or death in this pueblo".

The description of the new arrival in Santa Helena was really a great beginning for the story. You could almost see the woman making her presence known and causing such a commotion. First impressions are so important and Maril did a great job of describing the young mysterious woman. A very bold beginning to the episode. Maril captured the mystery and intrigue right from the start. Somehow I could almost picture Helm's surprise expression at the news of the young woman calling herself "Maria Teresa Alvarado".

Since the main idea of the story centers around this mysterious person claiming to be the real inheritor of the Alvarado hacienda, this new development places Tessa's reputation and identity into jeopardy, once again testing the waters of Tessa's past. So much can be written in fanfic to fill in those gaps that a fanfic story could go in any direction. That is the beauty of it. Maril does a great job of creating an imposter to shake up Tessa's already upside down world. It was good to see this nice twist and turn of events.

To make matters worse, the mysterious imposter alleges she is the real "Maria Teresa Alvarado" by proving her claim with documents. This leaves Tessa with the task of clearing the whole mess up and to prove her true identity that she is the daughter of Don Rafael Alvarado and the other person is an imposter. Maril's story unfolds very nicely. She created a cool situation and lots of intrigue that gives the reader a way to visualize the whole drama going on.

The background of the imposter was well described by Maril. She wrote about a character who had similar characteristics and an very interesting antecedent. I liked how Maril gave the imposter a credible history to substantiate her claim.

My favorite part of the story was how Maril depicted Montoya's frustrations of the unfortunate confusion between the two "Maria Teresa Alvarado's". Maril made him look like a fool who was not thorough in his duties to verify the true identity of the inheritor to the Alvarado fortune. A slip up on Montoya's part. What a good way to see him make a mistake.

It was good to read that Marta has not lost her touch and can still use her intuition to her advantage, the mystical gypsy lives on. Marta can never let anything slip by her. She has a way of feeling there is something wrong and I loved how Maril gave Marta emotional turmoil. Marta is always there looking out for Tessa's best interest. Thanks Maril for keeping Marta's character alive.

Grisham never seems to quit. Again, Maril describes Grisham's part in the story so good. He never fails to show interest in playing the game and trying to win.

I laughed during the story when the imposter meets Tessa for the first time and looks her up and down viewing her as a threat and possible enemy. Vice versa, I could picture Tessa's reaction and surprise to hear and learn that the imposter is claiming to be her. Maril did a great job in this part of the story. The two women confront each other - "Let the battle begin".

Montoya manages to overcome the situation by having Tessa and Marta leave her home in the hands of the imposter. The aftermath of this situation helped to shape and establish future confrontation between the two young women.

I like how Maril used a soldier to reveal the whole hoax of the imposter. Maril put in a great twist to the story, giving Grisham the information he needed to use it to his advantage. With the information, the reader gets to learn who the imposter truly is, Sofia Del Campo, a prostitute from Monterrey.

Vera, as always, is up to her usual deed with Grisham by consorting with him in his crazy adventures, but not this time. Vera learns the truth from Grisham and orders him to tell her friend the truth. I liked how Maril made Vera seem protective of Tessa and value their friendship. I guess Vera is not always looking out for herself. With barely no information on Vera's background, a fanfic writer could give Vera an interesting history and Maril is setting that precedence.

Once again, Maril keeps with the tradition of making Tessa a strong intelligent woman with confidence. In the virtual season, Tessa continues to be the head-strong female with determination to learn the truth and have justice prevail.

"Vera to the rescue". At least it was good to read that Vera has a good conscience and is willing to help, appreciating her friendship with Tessa by offering the two homeless her hacienda. The woman is not always so self-centered or cruel, she could have a heart of gold in the virtual world of fanfic.

Marta provides the perfect solution to Tessa's dilemma and Maril came up with a cute way for Tessa to prove she is the authentic owner of the Alvarado fortune. Read on and you'll see what I mean.

I thought Grisham's so called military maneuvers of giving Tessa the info she needed was a comical way for him to continue his conquest for Tessa's affections. Maril was good at giving Grisham the power to unveil the truth to Tessa, but ask for something in return.

Oops, how could Tessa almost succumb to Grisham's charms and his kiss! Good thing Maril got wise and gave Tessa a wake up call. Whew!

Although in the story, Tessa is placed under such harsh tensions, she makes a comeback to regain what is rightfully hers. Maril wouldn't let Tessa go done without a fight. Thank God.
It was about time the Queen made her presence known. If anyone can make someone talk, the Queen has the skills and finesse. I thought Maril's description of the Queen's encounter with Sofia was good and had a nice effect in the story.

Although we can only imagine the sword fighting the Queen has with the soldiers, I thought it was written in a way that you could picture the whole scene taking place. I could just see it all happening. I laughed how the Queen was worried about Tessa's belongings getting broken or ruined. That was a classic by Maril. Great line: "I've got to get out of here - they're wrecking my room".

Again Maril proves in her story that the soldiers can't shoot worth beans. Good to know that their aims have not improved, even in fanfic. WOO HOO!

Helm's concern was well depicted in the story too. He was very helpful in solving the problem for Tessa. He's her "Knight in shining Armor" with Marta as his co-hort. Way to go Helm!

Montoya's true colors shine once again as his ploy to own the Alvarado hacienda crumbles before him. Maril does a nice job in this part of the story. I guess we can never get tired of his exploits. It would be rather boring not to read about how Montoya is up his old tricks each time.

"The Queen to the Rescue". It wouldn't be a story unless the Queen defends or rescues an innocent victim, even if it's an imposter pretending to be someone else. Maril did a nice job of writing that part of the story. The Queen rescues Sofia from getting killed and encourages her to tell the truth of who is behind the entire charade. The Queen manages to succeed and Tessa gets everything back.

The idea of using a birthmark to clear the confusion of the real "Maria Teresa Alvarado" was a creative way on Maril's part. Maril uses her imagination and adds in her fanfic story a vital clue and a good proof. The birthmark idea was very clever.

The conclusion to the virtual episode wrapped up the story so nicely. Tessa recovered her hacienda, but that left her with an unresolved situation, how to brush off Grisham. I really enjoyed how Maril wrote in her story the part of Tessa informing Marta that she allowed Grisham to believe he had a chance with her. Even better was Marta's response finding it amusing at how Tessa was going to get out of it.

Overall, the story written by Maril was an excellent beginning for the virtual season. It goes to show how much the fans will enjoy reading the continuing saga of the Queen's exploits. Although the series is no longer in production, the Queen will live on through fanfic. Can't wait to read the next episode. Congratulations Maril on a job well done amiga, your premiere story is a totally hit.

~Margie~
{WebJefa}