'' is a
Action -
Adventure Television Series set in
California during the early 19th century. The show is about a young noblewoman who is Tessa Alvarado by day and a masked avenger by night known as the Queen of Swords. The Queen of Swords robs from the oppressive Military Alcalde and returns money to the oppressed peasants while righting wrongs, protecting the innocent, punishing the guilty and trying to find the murderer of her father. The series first aired on
October 7 ,
2000 , after a season of poor ratings the series was cancelled, but has gained a cult following since through re-runs.
A young
Spanish Aristocrat , Tessa Alvarado (Tessie Santiago), returns to California after the death of her father and finds the town she was born in run by a militaristic govenor who abuses his power resulting in the miscarriage of justice and the poor living conditions of his subjects. Upset about the state of her birth place and the murder of her father, Tessa's path is revealed to her in a mysterious dream. She will take up arms to protect the people from the towns governor and to avenge her father's death. Tessa will do this in disguise behind a mask, becoming the ''Queen of Swords''.
As the Queen of Swords, Tessa becomes a vision of hope for the people who live in her long oppressed town. She is helped by her long time friend and servant, Marta (Paulina Gálvez), a
Gypsy with great knowledge of the
Tarot . The Queen of Swords name comes from one of Marta's tarot cards.
Tessa's biggest enemy in the town is Colonel Luis Montoya (Valentine Pelka), the corrupt and tyrannical governor. Montoya is ruthless and has little care for human life other then his own. He believes in executions without fair trials, enslaving the poor people of the town and blackmailing his own allies. Montoya is aided by his right hand man, Captain Marcus Grisham (Anthony Lemke). Grisham, an
American Mercenary who escaped execution for a horrible crime, has the mission of ridding Montoya of the troublesome Queen of Swords, a mission that him and his soldiers have a hard time doing. Grisham is helped by Vera (Elsa Pataky), unfaithful trophy wife of Don Hidalgo (Tacho González), working as a spy for him.
The Queen of Swords is occasionally helped by Dr. Robert Helm (Peter Wingfield), an
English Doctor who believes in saving lives rather then taking them. He has little patience for Tessa, believing her to be a spoiled member of the nobility, and less for the Queen of Swords, despising her because of her use of violence. Helm though his dislike keeps finding himself strangely attracted to the Queen of Swords.
