Queen of Swords/Tessa Alvarado

Maria Teresa "Tessa" Alvarado
Queen of Swords
Actor	Tessie Santiago
First Appearance	1x01 - Destiny
Last Appearance	1x22 - Betrayed
Series Billing	Lead Character
Episode Count	22

Tessa Alvarado is the lead character and The Queen of Swords from the television show of the same name, and is played by Tessie Santiago.

Basic Information

Doña Maria Teresa (known as 'Tessa') Alvarado (Eps 6 & 12) was born in California circa 1795. Her parents were introduced to each other by Don Frederico, who, when Tessa was born, became her Godfather (Ep 7). Her mother died when she was young. As a youngster she explored the Santa Helena countryside with her childhood friend Ramon (Episodes 4 & 7). At around age 7, her father had a painting of her "Little Angel" done, before sending her to Madrid to continue her education. In Madrid, she was looked after by Marta the Gypsy employed by her uncle (Ep14), living with him. her aunt, and three cousins (Ep 17). She falls in love with Antonio (Ep 6) but he has to leave to fight in the Napoleonic wars. Secretly she has been engaging in fencing lessons with Maestro Torres (as her father might not have approved) when she receives news of her fathers death by an accidental fall from his horse.(Ep 1).

Character History

Returning to California to find her father's property in ruins and owing back taxes, Tessa also discovers that her father's manservant has been reduced to stealing. She meets Captain Grisham, right hand man to Colonel Montoya, the local governor. Marta informs Tessa that the people have confided to her that her father was murdered and she should ask the Dons. Don Hidalgo (her father's best friend) advises against prying. Colonel Montoya and Grisham deny it was murder.

• In a dream, Tessa's father comes to he, telling of his murder, the whereabouts of his hidden gold and of his "Avenging Angel". She realises, for justice to be served, she must become that avenging angel, The Queen of Swords, a name taken from one of Marta's tarot cards.

• She meets Dr. Robert Helm (Ep 2), but he has no time for Tessa, considering her a spoiled aristocrat, but has a growing admiration (Ep 3) for the Queen of Swords, except for her use of violence. , To his horror, she kills to save his life (Ep 8). She kills by accident (Ep 10), a bandit escorting Dr. Helm from The Serpents camp.

• The Queen kills for the first time, unbeknown to Dr. Helm, to save her childhood friend Ramon (Ep 4).

• Tessa is forced to kill a man who has been sent to kill her, to prevent her testifying (Ep 5) against an accused murderer.

• Tessa's godfather, is murdered in front of her, and The Queen saves Ramon from the firing squad. (Ep 7).

• Tessa again kills when one of her father's murderers, Raul, attempts to rape her (Ep 8).

• Her uncle comes to Santa Helena, intent on discovering his brother's killers, and to take Tessa back to Spain (Ep 14) to find her a suitable husband.

• The Queen's relationship with Dr. Helm intensifies as time goes on (Ep 10) and she becomes jealous when Dr. Helm's ex-"bride-to-be" arrives in Santa Helena (Ep 15), and she has to save her life so they can be reunited.

• Never depicted as physically stronger than her opponents, winning by being more skilled or using the element of surprise and when the odds are too great running away to fight another day.

• Throughout the series she remains The Virgin Queen and still ignorant of her fathers murderers, except for Raul.

Memorable Moments

• Dreaming of her father telling of his murder, his gold, and of his "Avenging Angel" (Ep 1).
• The Queen's first meeting with Captain Grisham. (Ep 1)
• Jumping from cliff and surviving. (Ep 2)
• Kissing Captain Grisham in order to drug his drink. (Ep 3)
• Being ambushed by Dr. Helm when on horseback (Ep 4)
• Taking on the town garrison single handedly. (Ep 7)
• Kissing Dr. Helm when he saves her life. (Ep 10)
• The most dangerous horses and wagon stunt that can be performed in a western. (Ep 16)
• Being trapped in a mine with Captain Grisham, and fending off his amorous advances, despite the fact they are both close to death from a lack of air. (Ep 21)