Rafael Rios is the father of Jess Valenzuela in the TV-series National Treasure: Edge of History.
Biography[]
In 1999, Rafael Rios supported Manuela in her Doctorate thesis defense. He acted as a cameraman. But the the academics didn't believe her theory about Malinche. Rafael came to Manuela's defense and promised to prove her theory by finding the treasure.[1]
In 2001, Rafael Rios worked with Salazar in finding the Montezuma's Treasure. One night following the clues, he broke into a church in Mexico City and found the Aztec Relic hidden beneath a statue. Rafael however was part of the group sworn to protect the treasure, so he took the relic and ran from Salazar's men. He went home and sent Manuela, who now is his wife and daughter to USA with the relic, while he stayed behind to keep the Salazar's men busy. during the fight, Rafael was knocked out and the house caught fire, and thought to have died by Manuela.[2]
Rafael Rios is revealed to be alive in 2022 and in Santiago Apostol Penitentiary in Mexico, where he has spent his last 20 years. He is however known by the name Salazar, as he was mistaken for him when he was arrested, so he held up the lie to protect himself. One day a visitor comes, and to his surprise it is his daughter Jesusita Valenzuela. Rafael proves he is his father by singing a part of a lullaby. He then gives a clue to Jess for the Incan Relic. Soon after Rafael is visited by Billie Pearce who blames him for her brother's death.[3]
Rafael now knowing Jess is in danger plans an escape and manages to get out of his cell, only to see Jess coming in to rescue him and getting caught by a guard. Rafael goes back and knocks out the guard. Jess' escape route is now compromised so they use Rafael's plan, of running to the fence and cut through it. The plan involves blinding the sniper with sunlight so he doesn't get a shot off. There are couple of hiccups there, but they manage to escape the prison with the help of Jess' friends. Rafael and Jess separate from others as they can't cross the border legally, and take a detour to retrieve Rafael's Journal from the Sacred Tree. They then assemble the map and pinpoint the location of the treasure by using star chart app. They are approached by Maddox, who wants to stop Salazar, but Maddox is shot before he can reveal more about him. The shooter was Kacey Hasler, who arrived with Billie. Rafael is captured while Jess hides, but when Rafael is threatened, Jess reveals herself.[4]
Rafael and Jess are taken to United States in a private plane by Billie. and dragged along to the Devil's Swamp in case they are still needed. While preparing to head off deeper into the swamp, they are surprised by Agent Ross. For a moment Rafael think they are saved, only for Agent Hendricks to appear and stab Ross, revealing himself to be the Salazar.[5]
Having traveled through the swamp and landed on strip of land, Rafael and Jess attempt to lure Billie's men into traps, they succeed, and use the distraction to escape. They take the right route on a crossing and leave a clue behind to mislead Billie. Rafael and Jess are not careful however and trigger a trap that traps them in a cage. Fortunately they are found by Liam Sadusky and Ethan Chao who help them to get out of the cage. Liam joins Rafael and Jess when they enter the ruins, which comes in handy on the trap that requires three persons to defuse. While admiring the treasure the door is blown up and Rafael is knocked out by a rock. When he came around the Billie was held at the gunpoint and police arrived shortly after. [6]
A while later the Panamerican treasure is on display at National Museum of Artifacts, and Rafael is looking it with his daughter and her friends. Liam arrives and informs them of a clue of a new treasure found on a tape left to him by Peter Sadusky.[6]
Trivia[]
- Rafael Rios' full name is revealed in a phone call between Billie Pearce and her mysterious benefactor in an episode I'm a Ghost.
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