1X13 THE PRETENDER

Aired Week of: 4/30/01

A horse rides into town carrying a wounded stranger, whose last words accuse the Rey family of lies and murder. As Montoya and his men try to piece the puzzle together, the Queen turns to Andreo Rey, the son of Claudio and Paloma, suspecting that he is hiding something. And when mother and father accuse their own son, she knows without a doubt that its time for the Queen of Swords to ride to his rescue.

WRITER: James Thorpe
DIRECTOR: Peter Ellis
GUEST STARRING

ALEX HASSELL as Andreo Rey
JORGE MONTESI as Claudio Rey
CYRIELLE CLAIR as Paloma Rey

This episode had an interesting storyline that focused on lies and murder. Imposters who kill so that their true identities are not discovered. It also touched upon the issues of abuse and domestic violence. The storyline was presented very tastefully.

Marta is always helping Tessa by contributing in her own way. While Tessa moves around the circles of society to gain information, Marta does the same by engaging in conversation with other servants. Marta and Tessa work well with each other in putting together the pieces of the mystery. Marta gives Tessa lots of clues and opens her eyes. Tessa is intelligent enough to catch on. She learns so much from Marta, who is a master at deductive reasoning.

Dr. Helm had a very important role in this episode. He showed concern for young Andreo and was suspicious that Andreo was being abused at home and living with domestic violence. He wasn't convinced of Andreo's accident and how it occurred. I liked how the writer introduced this issue into the storyline.

The boxing match between Dr. Helm and Captain Grisham was an explosion waiting to happen. Two men fist fighting to release all their inner anger and hate. Grisham ensuring that no one learns of Montoya's plan to gain land from the imposter Claudio Rey and to use poor Andreo as an escape goat for murder. On the other hand, Dr. Helm shows eagerness to uncover the truth in order to protect and save Andreo from being sent to prison. It was a fun showdown between these two characters. If Colonel Montoya had not interfered, I believe Dr. Helm would have won against Captain Grisham.

Once again we get to see another great sword duel between Colonel Montoya and the Queen. Their interaction is wonderful to see in any storyline. I enjoy watching the two characters exchange not only their swords, but also great lines. The Queen has one hell of a right hook. She knocked out Colonel Montoya and left him unconscious on the ground. It was the ending to another great encounter. The love and hate relationship between them is often missed, but always welcomed in any episode.

It is truly entertaining to always see Colonel Montoya's never ending quest for greed. His constant scheming to somehow gain land and money in any way he can never comes to fruition. The man can taste the property and riches always within reach, but can never attain them. Foiled once again. Dr. Helm made insinuations to Colonel Montoya by letting him know that he thought the Colonel knew the truth all along. Colonel Montoya was quick and got rid of the imposters before they could say anything. He wanted to ensure he would not be accused of conspiracy and to also mislead Dr. Helm of thinking his suspicions were true. The man is a sly fox.

Did anyone notice the familiar Rey's hacienda? It was the same one used in the episode of the "Counterfeit Queen" where Carlotta and the Queen are fired upon by Grisham and soldiers.

THESE WERE THE BEST LINES OF THE EPISODE:

TESSA: You said yourself that he lost a lot of blood.
HELM: Don't care, I'm sick of it….thank you for your help Señorita, you didn't need to stay.
TESSA: He never finished what he was trying to tell us…the Rey's hacienda, the murder, the lies…
MONTOYA: A mysterious code indeed Señorita.
TESSA: Colonel Montoya, you frightened me!
MONTOYA: Really?…and yet the sight of a dead man doesn't…what do you think Doctor? Should I be offended?
HELM: Single gunshot in the back…no name that I could find.
MONTOYA: …and no more need for one…heaven has stolen all his secrets…you see Señorita, even in death we are cheated.
TESSA: Oh…I think I'm feeling faint after all…perhaps some fresh air.

MARTA: I head it from both the Rey's maid and groom.
TESSA: You expect me to believe a father would break his own son's arm.
MARTA: From what I hear, its not the first time his father beat him…and Paloma, his mother, fighting and yelling…its not a happy house.
TESSA: Poor Andrew, I didn't know.
MARTA: Nobody does…they put up a good front…its strange though…do you remember Carmen, my friend in Madrid?
TESSA: The ladies league?
MARTA: She worked for Paloma a long time ago…Carmen was always a little clumsy…once she spilled hot water on her Mistress's arm it scolded, even left a scar…but Paloma was kind and even let Carmen keep her job.
TESSA: Doesn't sound like a woman who would stand by while her husband attacked her son.
MARTA: Where are you going?
TESSA: Andrew knows something about the murder and he's afraid…I can feel it.
MARTA: You've already tried…he won't talk to you.

TESSA: I know.

CLAUDIO: I come to report an attack by the Queen and these monkeys treat me like I am the criminal.
MONTOYA: I apologize for their professional zeal, but it's for your own protection.
CLAUDIO: Protection?
MONTOYA: You are a very wealthy man now…your great uncle has died and left you a large estate in Spain and a fortune in gold to go with it.
CLAUDIO: I don't understand.
MONTOYA: The dead man was your family lawyer…he was on his way to see you…fortunately I was able to retrieve a copy of the will naming you his beneficiary…I'm afraid the original was lost somewhere…perhaps the murderer stole it.
CLAUDIO: I must say Colonel…it comes as quite a surprise.
MONTOYA: …but a happy one yes!
CLAUDIO: …oh, I'm overwhelmed.
MONTOYA: There is just one more thing…trifle really…your signature is required on this document to validate it…a few strokes away from a fortune…what man would not sign…(Claudio signs the document)…marvelous…oh…this is strange?
CLAUDIO: What's the matter?
MONTOYA: This document also bears the signature of Don Claudio Rey and yet…regard…the two signatures do not match…in fact they are not even close.

TESSA: Your not going to believe this!
MARTA: What's wrong?
TESSA: They've arrest Andreo…for murder.
MARTA: Montoya again!
TESSA: No, it was Paloma…she said she saw Andreo shoot that man in cold blood.
MARTA: You don't believer her?
TESSA: I don't want to.
MARTA: A mother wouldn't accuse her own son.
TESSA: She did!
MARTA: Well, maybe not.
TESSA: …but I just told you that…
MARTA: No…you didn't hear what I said.
TESSA: Yes I did…you said a mother wouldn't accuse her own….son.
MARTA: Exactly!
TESSA: Oh…but how would we find out?
MARTA: Remember Carmen, how she scolded Paloma's arm?
TESSA: That was years ago.
MARTA: A scar is still a scar.
TESSA: You know Marta…I've been thinking…we don't socialize nearly enough…

HELM: You can't seriously tell me that you think Andreo is a killer?
MONTOYA: Unfortunately Doctor, when confronted by the facts and a witness to the crime…what I believe is neither here nor there.
HELM: I'll lay you odds that it was Andreo's own father that broke his arm…I don't think it's the first time there's been violence in that household.
MONTOYA: Is it any wonder then…that a child of such a home has turned to crime.
HELM: The boy is innocent!
MONTOYA: I understand how you must feel, it is tragic to think of such a young life wasted…
HELM: Its not tragic, its criminal.
MONTOYA: …and that is why I've decided to spare Andreo.
HELM: Oh…your not going to have him executed?
MONTOYA: Heaven's no…I'm not a cruel man…he's just a boy…he has made a mistake he certainly doesn't deserve to die...
HELM: Well, that's very reassuring.
MONTOYA: …on the other hand…a life of hard labor in the Monterey Prison has been known to build a strong character.

ANDREO: Behind you!
QUEEN: Thanks for the warning.
ANDREO: Sure, no problem
QUEEN: Alright, spread your legs.
ANDREO: I beg your pardon?
QUEEN: Come on…actually I think you better close your eyes too.
ANDREO: Wait…you've done this before?
QUEEN: It's my first time.
Andreo closes his eyes and spreads his feet apart. Queen cuts with her sword Andreo's chains
QUEEN: Hey…its over.
ANDREO: So quickly?
QUEEN: Come on…let's get out of here.

ANDREO: Why are we stopping here?
QUEEN: There's an old mine a half a mile up…I'll be back with some food and blankets.
ANDREO: I'm going home!
QUEEN: No…that's a bad idea.
ANDREO: I have to know what's going on…why did my own parents do this to me?
QUEEN: Andreo, they're not your real parents…their imposters…Paloma isn't your real mother.
ANDREO: …but my father…
QUEEN: …called you a killer.
ANDREO: Well, where's my real family…those two are the only parents I can remember…you think they are dead?
QUEEN: I don't know anything for sure.
ANDREO: I do…the man who pretends to be my father…he killed Gamero I'm sure of it…just look at what he did to my arm!
QUEEN: I'm sorry.
ANDREO: Your sorry!…what the hell do you know about it…my mother and my father murdered…can you even imagine how that feels?
QUEEN: I think I can…well, what are you waiting for?

MONTOYA: (Sword dueling)…I had a dream about you last night…in my hand I held your beating heart.
QUEEN: Sounds romantic.

HELM: Colonel Montoya.
MONTOYA: Dr. Helm, your looking well.
HELM: I understand you had the Rey's arrested.
MONTOYA: Of course…accusing the boy was merely a ruse to draw out the real culprits.
HELM: Forgive me, I was lead to believe you had that information all along…but not that I would accuse you of conspiracy…you understand!
MONTOYA: …humm…perish the thought.
HELM: …but I do wonder that the imposters will say at their trial.
MONTOYA: It would be a miracle indeed if they said anything at all…they were both executed at dawn.
HELM: You don't waste anytime do you.
MONTOYA: Justice has been served…just look…the young boy leaves for Spain where a fortune awaits him.
HELM: What a busy day.
MONTOYA: Today is a day of celebration, not accusation…a glass of wine in perhaps our humble cantina.
HELM: Why not.
MONTOYA: Oh…by the way Doctor…how is that bump on your head.
HELM: Its fine….how's the bump on yours?

~Margie~