Caray, Caray!

* Z and Dona Z have confrontation in upstairs room. As he starts to question who she is, whether she's friend or foe, she gets defensive, vague and draws her sword.

* Queen ML addresses invited guests at ball - thanking them for attending. Jonas whispers to SK and Renzo to be very careful, enemies can be anywhere and everywhere in that ballroom. Piza shifts his eyes as he keeps careful watch, as does the secret guards and soldiers and drag queen Toby. ML makes the announcement that the new governor (replacing Don Fernando) is Don Alejandro. ML asks Alej to step forward, he pauses a moment to look at Dena before approaching the Queen. He kneels in front of her and accepts the new position. Monty and Jacomo grimace while SK and others "golf clap" applause.

* Z and Dona Z sword fight in upstairs room. D is still curious and asks questions to Dona Z - he notes the pain in her voice as she speaks and tells her to have hope; she says hope brings pain and she's tired of waiting. They continue sword fight.

* ML finishes installing Alej as governor. She walks down the carpet, Jacomo wants to speak with her, she says later and goes over to have private conversation with Alej. ML and Alej whisper about security measures for the event and about SK's presence. Alej assures her that he and his men will protect her and SK. Dena interrupts to congratulate Alej on his appointment.

Monty and Jacomo walk single-file to Alej and ML; Jacomo congratulates Alej cordially and dignified before walking away. Monty swallows his pride and offers his hand to Alej, Alej says don't bother with formalities, he is well aware of Monty's feelings for him and his feelings are mutual towards Monty. Monty swallows and walks away. Mejias comes up afterward and gives Alej a military salute, Alej reciprocates, Mejias leaves.

Piza and his secret guard keep watch. MA enters ballroom wearing all read and stands behind Piza.

* D/Z and Dona Z/Esmy continue sword fight and conversation. He says something; she reciprocates by slashing his shirt (exposing his bare chest). He is shocked, goes to take off his hat, and gloves. As she turns, he slashes her bodice with his sword (touche). She's shocked. He grabs her and pulls her close to him - he realizes it's ESMY!. They kiss.

(cue theme song and opening credits)

* Santiago enters kitchen and finds Dolly and Camelia relaxing and finishing up their chores. He talks to them about everyone attending the ball; he notices they are drinking milk and talks them into sharing a bottle of wine with him (he is insistent). Dolly and Camelia agree.

* D and Esmy have a intimate conversation in the room about where she was, what happened to her. She explains and includes Monty and MA's part in the story. He was told that she was dead but he always knew in his heart that she was alive - he found her clothes and her pendant. She said she lost it on the ship. He doesn't understand it but he found a mariner on the street and got it from him. He shows it to her. She's surprised.

* Dolly and Camelia are drunk and laughing with Santiago, who isn't at all drunk, as they play poker with beans as chips. The wine bottle is empty. Santiago will go get another - they try to protest but Santiago is still insistent and goes for the new bottle. In storeroom/pantry, Santiago takes a sip from the bottle before pouring his secret powder into the wine and mixes it up. He mutters something about the brothers who are looking for him.

* MA finds Monty at the ball - he's surprised she's there - she reminds him of the plan and that she wants Alejandrito away from D and his family now. He says be patient, relax, no hurry. She is adamant of taking the baby tonight. (ERGH!)

* Piza whispers to Gutierrez his plan to help Olmos and Laisha escape from jail tonight. Gutierrez leaves immediately. Toby pesters Piza, tries to solicit punch companion. Piza says he's working and refuses the offer (if you want punch, get it for yourself). Soldier whispers a message to Piza, Piza leaves Toby.

Piza and Monty argue over SK getting into the ball with a fake invitation. Piza assures him they were extra diligent with all the invitations and guests entering the ballroom. Monty hopes there won't be any problems tonight or Piza will pay with his life.

Renzo and Cami are nervous and talk about why they came. SK approaches. Cami asks when will she meet ML. SK says soon, not now.

Alej and Dena leave ML's side to have private conversation. They wonder where D is; Alej asks Dena to leave because of what may happen when Mercedes does appear. Dena is shocked by the request and refuses to leave her husband, the new governor's, side. Alej says then he will have two queens to protect.

* D and Esmy in room getting reunited (romantic kissing - UY!) She pulls away; he comes in for more. They hug.

* Fer and MP in their special love nest barn, he talks of his past, of Regina's angelic visit to him in the forest and that she forgave him. MP asks if Fer has forgiven Regina, he says he can't.

* PT stands beside ML. Jacomo, nervous, goes wandering through the crowd. Monty tells Piza his nervousness of the ball guests and security measures. Piza assures that everything is under control. Monty notes that D hasn't appeared, thinks it may be a sign of something bad to come. Piza assures him otherwise. Monty leaves. Piza grumbles about Monty being seriously hurt.

* D and Esmy hug, kiss and talk in room. She tells him about her vengeance plan for mom's death. D informs her that her mom, SK, is still alive and SK's plan for vengeance tonight when she meets with ML and tells her whole story against Fer and Monty. Esmy is extra-happy to know her mom is still alive. She mentions wanting to hold their son in her arms. D asks about their son (he's baffled by her comment).

* Santiago looks at Dolly and Camelia passed out drunk on the table. He leaves to go to nursery.

* Mejias enters nursery and goes to crib. Santiago enters and asks why Mejias is there. Mejias draws his sword to challenge Santiago to duel.

* Toby spies on Piza from other side of column. As Toby breathes, a male guest comes over and tries to pick-up Toby. Toby tells him to take a hike.

* Piza and soldier check magistrate judge who just arrived. Toby is nervous and calls man back, agrees to one dance. As magistrate walks to other side of the room, Toby fakes a dizzy spell, man goes for punch, Toby returns to hiding place behind column.

* Piza and guard discuss what could happen at ball against him, be very vigilant. Toby spies on them.

* Gutierrez convinces guard to leave post; guard leaves reluctantly. Gutierrez opens cell door and explains to Olmos and Laisha to go with him (now and fast; orders of Piza).

* D listens intently as Esmy tells him their baby is a son; Monty stole him from her after birth and then made her believe he was dead. When she went to the cemetery and exumed the body of the baby, she realized it isn't her baby who died - it must be MA and Monty's. (AY!)

* Mejias and Santiago fight in nursery. Santiago swipes and knocks the sword from Mejias' hand. Mejias picks it up. Santiago slugs him and he falls to the ground. Santiago goes to the crib and takes Alejandrito away.

* D is still baffled by MA and Monty as a couple. He realizes, with Esmy's help, that Alejandrito is really THEIR son. They kiss. He asks her to go on a vacation. She wants to meet her mom first; unfinished business to take care of. He smiles, agrees. They kiss.

* Monty keeps watch at ball. Piza cocks his pistol and hides behind the column. He tries to aim and shoot Monty. Toby pulls out his knife from his garter, sneaks up behind Piza and stabs him in the upper arm. Piza turns in shock and anger; he aims his pistol and shoots at Toby as Toby runs away. Monty and everyone drops down on the floor - chaos erupts.

* D and Esmy hear the gunshot. Esmy is worried about her mom. D is in his Z costume (including the slashed shirt). He leaves first after Esmy promises to be careful and go down later.

* Toby runs outside, passed Cata. He trips and falls all over his long dress, dropping his wig and having to pick it up and carry it in his hands. As he runs through the market tents, Piza and guards run outside - Cata yells at Piza for update on what's happening. Piza answers briefly as he aims and shoots in the direction of the market tent/Toby.

* As guests shout, cry and run for the door, soldiers have rifles aimed and ready to fire. Alej assures ML he will protect her and SK. Z punches and kicks out soldiers right and left. Monty sees Z and orders the soldiers to shoot to kill. ML stands up and shouts for them to stop - there will be no shooting or killing in her presence! As everyone calms down, Z closes his ripped shirt and tips the brim of his hat to the queen. SK walks forward and takes off her mask, with Jonas and the gypsies close behind. Jacomo tries to speak to ML, but Jonas slugs him to the ground. ML presents her cousin Mercedes to the attendees. Everyone drops to their knees to show respect, including ML herself. Everyone stands up. ML tells everyone to listen to the interesting and important story Mercedes is to tell them.

* Fer and MP still in their love nest barn. Fer repeats his reason for bringing Mercedes to California, his back-door deals with Jacomo, his ulterior motive for everything (his undying love for MP). MP tells him to stop, they can't live in the past nor can they go back to change it. She wants to take care of his wounds. He wants to stay with her in bed (talking).

* Olmos and Laisha in soldier uniforms outside; they rendezvous with Gutierrez who informs them of Piza's plan to get them to San Blas. Olmos tells them to go on; he needs to go somewhere first - he would never forgive himself if he didn't take care of this one important item before he left California. They can't talk him out of it. Olmos leaves alone.

* Santiago carries little Alej outside hacienda. Guard tries to stop him; he walks away; Rafael approaches; the two chase after Santiago. As guard soldier (Mejias' partner) spots Santiago on the outside walkway with little Alej, he aims the cannon, lights the wick and fires it over the wall. It explodes behind Santiago, making him stop to look. He breathes relief and continues on to MA's house.

* Dolly and Camelia finally wake up, realize Santiago disappeared. They get paranoid and run to the nursery to check on the baby. OH-NO! Baby Alej has been kidnapped!

* MA quickly packs in her bedroom. Knock at the door. She's shocked to see Olmos standing there. Olmos enters. She wants him to leave immediately. He is angry and humiliated and wants vengeance against her (in his own way).

* Mercedes makes her case and accusations against Monty and Fer to the crowd. Monty's defense is he was under direct orders from Fer. Mercedes continues with her case and brings up her assumptions that Monty did the same to her daughter, Esmy, and killed her. Monty acts horrified, and defends himself that he did not kill Esmeralda, his wife. That in fact, his wife actually helped her mom (Mercedes) escape. Mercedes continues with the accusation and the assumption. Monty laughs and demands Mercedes produce one witness to back up her story. Z steps forward - he has that one witness. A lady in blue wanders into the ballroom. She drops her blue feather mask. IT'S ESMY! "Daughter," says Mercedes. Esmy smiles at her mom. Cami looks over at Renzo, who is frozen staring at Esmy with his mouth open. PT nods and smiles. Alej looks at Dena, who smiles and nods. Monty shakes his head in disbelief.

Labels: Zorro