1X19 TAKES A THIEF

Aired Week of: 5/07/01

Roman and Fenner, two con men riding through town, convince Montoya that they can catch the Queen of Swords - for the 1000 Reales reward. After the Queen saves Roman, the criminals have trouble keeping their word. But when Montoya sets a human death trap for the Queen, it'll mean teaming with a couple of thieves to beat Montoya at his own game.

WRITER: Elizabeth Keyishian
DIRECTOR: Paolo Barzman

GUEST STARRING:

DARREN TIGHE as Fenner
RALF MOELLER as Roman

"Takes a Thief" was a hilarious episode. I really had a good laugh during some of the scenes. The storyline had a lot of good lines by the main characters and guest stars. It was great to see the Queen had allies for a change. If my memory serves me correct, the special guest star Ralf Moeller, who played the role of Roman Petrov, was also the lead actor in the short-lived TV series "Conan". Good thing his character of Roman turned out to be a good guy or else he would have been a real challenge for the Queen to handle.

Once again Marta gets a top storyline. I just loved to see how she instantly becomes fascinated with Roman. He really made an impression on her. Isn't it funny how quickly she forgot Leonardo? And of course let's not forget about Vlad. The poor guy, whose after Marta's affections, was totally ignored. Very funny. Marta gets to show her talent as a mystic gypsy when she reads Roman's hand and tells him his life story. Tessa does a good job of using her intelligence and she proves that she doesn't need to use strength to win. Some great dialog between Marta and Tessa. They each worry about the other getting in trouble and hurt. Montoya does his usual best at blackmail and fails. His little plan to capture the Queen also fails. No Dr. Helm, Vera or Gaspar and Grisham was MIA in the show (out patrolling somewhere).

There were hardly any stunts in this episode. Some great swordfighting scenes though. Did anyone notice something different in the ending credits for this episode? It mentioned a different Sword master/Stunt Coordinator named Michel Carliez. The other episodes always listed Jean Louis Airola, who took over for Anthony DeLongis. Maybe it's just me and I'm paying attention to such small details.

THESE WERE THE BEST LINES OF THE STORY:

ROMAN: Who was that?
FENNER: I'd stop and ask, but I think she is a bit busy….nice saddle.
ROMAN: Come on before the soldiers come back.
FENNER: The sword, the mask, those eyes….the possibilities are endless.
ROMAN: Fenner, come on.

MONTOYA: Very well. 1,000 reales….with that kind of money, I'm sure any of my men will turn in their own mother.

MARTA: It's possibly the axle….I heard a crack.
VLAD: Uh….that was the cracking of my heart querida.
MARTA: Pay attention to the wagon Vlad.
VLAD: Why is it….I only see you when something is wrong with your wagon Marta?
MARTA: ….because you're the blacksmith….is it the axle?

MARTA: Thank you.
ROMAN: My pleasure, Roman Petrov at your service.
MARTA: If there's anything I can do….
ROMAN: Have dinner with me.
MARTA: Dinner?
ROMAN: Tonight.
MARTA: Well, I'm not sure…I'd have to check with my mistress….I have many chores to do.
ROMAN: Would you make me beg?
MARTA: I'll meet you at the cantina.
ROMAN: No, allow me to escort you myself.
MARTA: Alright….it's the Alvarado hacienda….at 6:00
ROMAN: Ah….your name?
MARTA: Marta.

TESSA: Marta?
MARTA: Ahem.
TESSA: You're not listening to me.
MARTA: Of course I am.
TESSA: ….then what did I just say?
MARTA: Montoya's money travels this afternoon….
TESSA: ….Where?
MARTA: I forget.
TESSA: Oh….it's being driven along the Calisto road to Monterey.
MARTA: Details….details.
TESSA: ….Ah….Monterey…do you know what that means? I think this is the big shipment.
MARTA: Oh….it looks like another late night for the Queen.
TESSA: Could be.
MARTA: Any idea of what time you'll think you'd be back?
TESSA: Gee….I don't know….depends on how many guys want to kill me this time….why?
MARTA: Just wondering….should I have dinner ready waiting for you?
TESSA: Why?….Where are you going to be?
MARTA: I might be out.
TESSA: Out?….Out where?
MARTA: I have a date.
TESSA: Ah….I see, its Vlad…the blacksmith.
MARTA: No.
TESSA: It's not Vlad?
MARTA: It's nobody you know.
TESSA: A stranger…this could be exciting…come on, tell me more.
MARTA: I'll tell you when I get back.

FENNER: Nice garb….not exactly inconspicuous are we?…Why don't you be good and come with me.
QUEEN: Sorry, I've made other plans.
FENNER: Change them.
QUEEN: That would be rude.
ROMAN: If you don't come with us….you'll have to fight him or me.
QUEEN: Why not the both of you.
FENNER: Why take advantage of a lady….I could never do that. Have you ever taken advantage of a lady Roman?
ROMAN: There was that old lady in Verona?
FENNER: She wasn't that old Roman and she certainly wasn't a lady.
QUEEN: Excuse me gentlemen….I'll take you (pointing to Fenner).

QUEEN: That's not nice.
FENNER: It could get worse…why don't you just be a good girl and put down your sword.
QUEEN: Wanna prove that size doesn't matter?
FENNER: Well, it always matters….but there are other ways to compensate.

FENNER: Where did you learn how to do that? (Queen takes his sword away)
QUEEN: Finishing school….are we finished.

TESSA: ….I turned around and he was just standing there….of course there were two of them….they insisted on fighting me one at a time….like gentlemen….they weren't gentlemen though….one was small and shifty and you should have seen the other one….is that my skirt?
MARTA: Oh, I'm sorry….I didn't have a chance to ask you.
TESSA: This must be for that handsome stranger.
MARTA: Oh Dios….look at my hair?
TESSA: ….So tell me what's he like?
MARTA: He's like no one I've ever known before.
TESSA: Marta…I've never heard you talk like this.
MARTA: Your right…I'm crazy.
TESSA: No, I didn't say that.
MARTA: Ah….look at me…what am I doing?….I wonder if its to late to cancel (Knock on door)
TESSA: There's your answer.
MARTA: I'm not ready yet….could you get that?
TESSA: Me?….I'm half Queen?
MARTA: ….So put on a robe.
TESSA: Your serious?
MARTA: I don't want him to see me like this….please.
TESSA: (Grabs robe and curtsies)….Yes Señorita, right away….

TESSA: Would you like to know who is waiting for you in the kitchen?
MARTA: Roman.
TESSA: Yes, the man who tried to kill me.
MARTA: What?
TESSA: Ahem…on the cliff.
MARTA: That's impossible.
TESSA: I was there, I should know.
MARTA: It can't be.
TESSA: He's not exactly easy to confuse with anyone else Marta?
MARTA: ….But I've seen through his heart….he's a good man Tessa.
TESSA: ….He's dangerous to both of us.
MARTA: It's a mistake.
TESSA: It would be if you see him…don't go.
MARTA: There must be an explanation….I'll find out what this is all about.

MONTOYA: I know who you are Fenner….you and your big friend are just con-men, petty thieves.
FENNER: Well, that's unfair….there's nothing petty about us.
MONTOYA: You are wanted by three presidios on this coast alone.
FENNER: Well, its nice to be wanted.
MONTOYA: I'm glad you feel that way because I want you to bring me the Queen….and if you do not….I will hang you.
FENNER: You mean you'll try.
MONTOYA: I must confess to be a trifle puzzled about this sudden burst of loyalty to the bandit Queen….is this what you call in your profession….honor among thieves.
FENNER: Well, I guess you can say that. (Pulls out gun and points at Montoya)
MONTOYA: (Soldiers point rifles at Fenner)…It looks like the odds a little stacked against you, don't you think?

MONTOYA: (Interrupting Marta's and Roman's dinner)….Do I spy a spark of new love….Dios Mio….the heat could keep us all warm tonight.
MARTA: Pardon us Colonel…we are in the middle of dinner.
MONTOYA: I am sorry to interrupt, but I thought you should know your friend Fenner is in jail.
ROMAN: Why?
MONTOYA: ….Because Señor Petrov, I don't take kindly to people who break their promises to me.
ROMAN: You can't keep a man in jail for breaking his promise.
MONTOYA: ….And yet, that is precisely what I'm doing….you keep your bargain and kill the Queen and I shall not be obliged to hang your friend…..oh, by the way Señorita, I suggest you try the oysters today….they are particularly succulent….hasta luego.

QUEEN: You know what they say about a man's sword?
ROMAN: No, what do they say?
QUEEN: The bigger the sword….the smaller the…..brain.
ROMAN: Not true in this case….thank you for dropping by….you just made my job a lot easier.
QUEEN: Don't count on it….I've come to discuss a partnership.
ROMAN: I already have a partner.
QUEEN: Not for long.
ROMAN: What does that mean?
QUEEN: Montoya has moved your friend from the jail….if you want to see him again I don't think we have much time.
ROMAN: What are you proposing?
QUEEN: We steal Montoya's gold from his office….use it to buy your friend back.
ROMAN: Why should I trust you.
QUEEN: ….Because I saved your life.

ROMAN: Where's Fenner?
MONTOYA: Ah, yes….maybe we can discuss him after I have safely tucked her away in my jail.
QUEEN: (Pulls knife on Montoya and points at his neck)…Do you plan on tucking me in yourself?
MONTOYA: You would not dare.
QUEEN: I don't know….I've dreamed about it so many times….I might just have to.
MONTOYA: If you kill me, his friend dies.
QUEEN: We thought you might need an incentive to part with Fenner.
MONTOYA: Just tell me one thing…how did you convince him not to kill you?
QUEEN: Can I trust you to keep it quiet?
MONTOYA: Of course. (Queen pulls knife away)…Guards! (Roman hits Montoya on head)
QUEEN: Bad idea.
ROMAN: Where's the gold?
QUEEN: Bookcase.

MARTA: Where is Roman?
TESSA: I'm meeting him in Latigo Canyon in 3 hours….he's out searching for Fenner.
MARTA: He's in town.
TESSA: Roman?
MARTA: Fenner….Montoya is using him as bait.
TESSA: Oh….I should have known.
MARTA: Where are you going?
TESSA: Roman will try and save him.
MARTA: He does what he must.
TESSA: ….So do I…he can't do it alone….you expect me to let them both die?
MARTA: I expect you to live….Montoya's won!
TESSA: Not yet he hasn't.
MARTA: ….Sometimes I see you go off to fight and I say to myself…Tessa's charmed…her father watches over her, but still….
TESSA: ….You worry.
MARTA: You don't know how much I wish I could ride beside you….I know….it is your destiny, not mine….so I stay and I wait and I pray.
TESSA: ….You know I have to go.
MARTA: Yes, you must.
TESSA: Help me dress.

~Margie~