Zorro 1.26 - Adios, Senor Magistrado

Plot: In the wake of last week’s failed attempt to steal the cuartel’s gunpowder, Captain Toledano now has two prisoners, each of them carrying an eagle feather. Thus far, both have kept mum, but Toledano warns them if they don’t speak by the following morning, they will be whipped. He then orders Figueroa to return them to their cell, and the two immediately tell the corrupt lancer they’ll spill the beans if they aren’t freed. He ventures outside, where a local merchant paces, waiting for Sergeant Garcia (back in debt again), and there’s the false blind man, who takes a note from the lancer and delivers it to the Magistrado, who isn’t happy with the news. He can’t have Toledano actively pursuing the conspiracy, but killing another Commandante would be a bit much. So he gives word that Figueroa should get the prisoners out, tonight.

In the tavern, Diego and Garcia discuss Toledano’s efforts to get information, and the sergeant admits he can’t return to the barracks with that merchant waiting, since he can’t pay the sum until he captures Zorro. Diego suggests imitating Zorro, by climbing over the rear wall, and volunteers Bernardo to assist. The three procure a ladder and head out, but just as Garcia reaches the top of the wall on the outside, so do the two prisoners on the inside. With one double-handed blow to the top fellow’s head, Garcia stops them both. The following day, at the de la Vega home, we learn Alejandro was gored in the leg by a bull, and is most displeased to be laid up, losing at chess to Diego. The Dr. Aguila (in whose pharmacy the secret meeting last week took place) comes out to check up on him, and mentions the two prisoners were found poisoned in their cells this morning. The Magistrado conducted an investigation already, and ruled it suicide. Back in town, we see Toledano discuss his problem with Garcia, and vow to crack the code behind the eagle feathers. Unfortunately, he announces this in front of Figueroa as well, who is shining his boots. Then he orders Garcia to bring in all the lancers who were on duty the night before for questioning.

That’ll have to wait, because Zorro’s come a calling, sneaking in through the Captain’s bedroom window, and then handcuffing and gagging him so he won’t call for help while Zorro explains what he knows. Too bad, Figueroa arrives with some wine. Zorro beckons him in, perfectly imitating Toledano’s voice, then tells the lancer to drink the wine, which he can’t bring himself to do. Before Zorro can interrogate him further, Garcia arrives with all the lancers, and Figueroa calls for help. Zorro is forced to flee, and Figueroa tries to use the confusion to escape, though Toledano tells Garcia to pursue the lancer, rather than the outlaw. No need, Zorro run downs Figueroa handily, and sticks him in his lair. Then we learn the Magistrado has called a special meeting at the tavern to discuss the matter. Alejandro will be attending, but Diego begs off, so Zorro can bring Figueroa along. At the meeting, Senor Alacon (the mustachioed fellow who has been working with Gallindo lately) arrives with several of his men, all armed. The blind man stands outside, and the magistrate orders the doors barred. The meeting begun, he claims to have uncovered a plot against the community, and he’s discovered the leader: Captain Toledano. He then uses poor Garcia against the captain, as Garcia can testify he found Toledano in his office with Zorro and Figueroa, and that the captain told him to abandon chasing the former to pursue the latter.

Alacon’s men are ready to kill Toledano, on the pretext of his being a criminal, and when Garcia tries to defend him, he gets a bottle over the head. Which just leaves Alejandro, and Figueroa, who comes in through the storeroom, a sword at his back courtesy of Zorro. He pins the blame on the magistrate, and gets shot by the same. At which point it all goes nuts. Toledano and Zorro fight Alacon and his men, Zorro even lending his sword to the soldier at one point. Alejandro stops Gallindo from fleeing, but is nearly killed by the blind man, who snuck in. Instead it’s the magistrate who catches a sword between the ribs, and Alacon soon shares that fate, courtesy of Toledano. Then the captain even returns Zorro’s sword, and lets him leave, despite Garcia’s belated attempt as he gets his wits about him and pursue.

Quote of the Episode: Magistrado – ‘Any man who uses his position of trust to rob and murder as Captain Toledano has done deserves no mercy from the people he has cheated!’

Times Zorro marks a “Z”: 1 (12 overall) On the storeroom door of the tavern.

Other: No babosos this week, but Garcia called Bernardo an idiota, which one, he’s trying to help you, sergeant. Two, as far as you know, he can’t hear you, but it’s still mean, and three, Diego is standing right there, and might not appreciate you berating his servant. Though of course Diego finds the whole thing terribly amusing.

I can’t believe Toledano is taking the cost of the debt from Garcia’ pay. He caught those prisoners for the captain – twice! That ought to result in a reward at least big enough to cover any silly little debt the sergeant might have to a merc – hmm, maybe not. I wonder if even the reward for Zorro (which I feel like has gone up again) would really cover it. Oh well, so the sergeant enjoys his food and his wine, so what? It’s the early 19^th Century, and he’s a poor soldier in the army of a crumbling power. He already has the risk of catching a bullet or a blade, not to mention cholera, dysentery, tuberculosis, smallpox, who the hell knows what else. To make matters worse, he’s in a place rife with conspiracies and ruthless killers, and his best chance of survival is an outlaw who sometimes seems to preserve his life only because he enjoys laughing at him. I’m just impressed he doesn’t drink himself into a stupor out of depression, frustration, or sheer terror.

I’m a little surprised that Toledano would leave his bedroom window open, given Zorro’s penchant for sneaking into his cuartel whenever he pleases. Perhaps he’ll reconsider that habit, now that he’s seen Zorro imitate his voice. Good thing his wife is staying at the tavern.

I thought it was funny Alejandro wanted Diego to come to the meeting, and take an interest the affairs of the community. Seems every time Diego does that, Alejandro tells him to butt out. Perhaps he has blood poisoning from his wound and it’s messing with his brain.

So, the Magistrado’s actions at the end of the episode. On the one hand, good job using the truth – that there’s a conspiracy afoot to destabilize the community – to make your accusations sound more real, then throw all the blame on a potential threat. Then let Alacon and his men appear to be worked into a frenzy at this “revelation”, and kill in a fit of righteous fury. But then he shoots Figueroa for tapping him as the ringleader. Meta level, I know this was so none of the heroes are guilty of killing an unarmed man, but Figueroa can be seen to receive punishment for his actions. In-story, it puts me in mind of a Hercule Poirot mystery. You know, Poirot explains everything with some convoluted and fairly ludicrous answer, and the guilty party breaks down and confesses, rather than, you know, demanding Poirot produce some real proof. Gallindo has already accused Toledano of being in cahoots with Zorro and Figueroa, and here the two of them are, pointing the finger at the Magistrado instead. Oh how convenient the timing for Toledano, and that the finger is leveled at the man trying to bring his crimes to light. What a clever ploy, why, the Magistrado wishes he’d thought of it himself *looks back and forth shiftily*.

It feels like the Magistrado could have brazened it out, since Alejandro was the only one really sticking up for Toledano at that point. Let one of Alacon’s men try to kill Zorro – who is an outlaw, after all – and “accidentally” hit Figueroa. Then what have you got? No real proof either way, Figueroa is either working with the captain, or at best, his confession was coerced at the end of a sword. I guess he figured they might as well just kill everyone now, then he and his guys could make up any explanation they liked. Toledano would be out of the way (and possibly Garcia as well), cutting the head off the army. Alejandro’s gone, taking away the most stubborn, principled landowner. And Zorro’s gone, taking away the symbol of the people, and the most consistent threat.