1817, Tessa Alvarado finishing her education in Madrid which has included secret sword lessons learns of her fathers accidental death. Returning to California with her Gypsy friend and servant Marta, she finds her father's manservant a thief, her home in ruins, and the local people under the rule… More of a tyrannical governor. Marta discovers her father was murdered but Tessa is helpless in the face of a wall of silence. In a dream her father comes to her and speaks of his hidden gold, his murder, and of his "Avenging Angel." Seeking justice Tessa decides her destiny is to become that Avenging Angel behind the mask of The Queen of Swords. The name is taken from one of Marta's Tarot cards. As in the theme song Behind the Mask , all the characters have secrets to hide, which are explored over the 22 episodes.
1817, Tessa Alvarado finishing her education in Madrid which has included secret sword lessons learns of her fathers accidental death. Returning to California with her Gypsy friend and servant Marta, she finds her father's manservant a thief, her home in ruins, and the local people under the rule… More of a tyrannical governor. Marta discovers her father was murdered but Tessa is helpless in the face of a wall of silence. In a dream her father comes to her and speaks of his hidden gold, his murder, and of his "Avenging Angel." Seeking justice Tessa decides her destiny is to become that Avenging Angel behind the mask of The Queen of Swords. The name is taken from one of Marta's Tarot cards. As in the theme song Behind the Mask , all the characters have secrets to hide, which are explored over the 22 episodes.
1817, Tessa Alvarado finishing her education in Madrid which has included secret sword lessons learns of her fathers accidental death. Returning to California with her Gypsy friend and servant Marta, she finds her father's manservant a thief, her home in ruins, and the local people under the rule… More of a tyrannical governor. Marta discovers her father was murdered but Tessa is helpless in the face of a wall of silence. In a dream her father comes to her and speaks of his hidden gold, his murder, and of his "Avenging Angel." Seeking justice Tessa decides her destiny is to become that Avenging Angel behind the mask of The Queen of Swords. The name is taken from one of Marta's Tarot cards. As in the theme song Behind the Mask , all the characters have secrets to hide, which are explored over the 22 episodes.
It was charming enough for what it was: a TV version of a female (and feminist) Zorro. The production values and the casting were great! Everyone looked their part. And I'm a sucker for period shows that look good. hide show
It was charming enough for what it was: a TV version of a female (and feminist) Zorro. The production values and the casting were great! Everyone looked their part. I'm a sucker for period shows that look good.
The problem with a show like "Queen of Swords" is it can't just look good, it has to *be* good. It has to have some substance under its pretty costumes and prettier cast. But it wasn't like the cast and crew wasn't game for the task. It just never meshed as a cohesive whole with its own voice. That could be the fault of average, blah scripting with a 'been there, done that' fantasy feel to it.
Or, it could be because the show has Been There and Done That in a previous incarnation. Producer Ken Gord and Executive Producer (head writer) David Abromawitz were prime movers and shakers behind the success of "Highlander" the series. And many cast members and guest stars (Peter Wingfield, Valentine Pelka, Elizabeth Gracen) along with several of the production crew migrated from one show to the next. With a short sojourn at "Highlander: The Raven" first. :D
Tessa Alverado can be seen as a Duncan MacLeod with a curvier figure, the same sense of right and justice, and a wicked thrust-and-parry. With a Hispanic instead of a Scottish flavor and missing that whole 'I can heal from every wound and never die' thing. But, a stong Latina hero is welcome on US tv, for whatever reason.
At the least, she was just a female version of Zorro. At the most, she was a super hero that all Latino's could look up to as an example of righteousness, goodness, and compassion. "The Queen of Swords" was more than just a TV Show. It was a positive mess hide show
Although Zorro was the blueprint for this series, "The Queen of Swords" was much more than just a female counter-part to a very old Latino super hero. It embodies the best aspects of Latino culture/heritage and a message of justice and truth. The actors were great but the writers didn't put their best into the scripts and the directors and producers didn't put their best into the development of the episodes. Advertisements were non-existant and between the United States and Canada, this show had a total of about 900 viewers. Still... it was able to enchant its fans greatly!!!
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