* AccidentalInnuendo: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFRdx7xFsrI The British Admiral Richard Howe is nicknamed "Black Dick".]]
* {{Adorkable}}: Lafayette fanboys over Washington and is always ridiculously optimistic, even after getting shot.
* SugarWiki/AwesomeMusic:
** The [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmCxPjNgX6A opening theme]].
** Any of the show's music cues.
* EnsembleDarkhorse: John Paul Jones is definitely one of the more memorable guest stars, thanks to being a [[{{Determinator}} complete badass]] and is played by none other than ''Creator/LiamNeeson.''
* GeniusBonus: Crossed with RewatchBonus. The show has a lot to cover, and not a lot of time to do it; some concepts are only referenced in passing without further explanation. For example, in "The Green Mountain Boys," Ethan Allen quotes John Locke's "life, liberty, and property" to James. Locke's philosophy would heavily shape the American approach to government, but he usually isn't even introduced to US history students until high school, if at all. The show is a lot of fun to watch again as an adult with a more thorough understanding of US history.
* HarsherInHindsight: One of the lyrics is "I'm lookin' at life through my own eyes, I'm searchin' for a hero to idolize." as Sarah looks at Benedict Arnold. The show shows what happens with his betrayal with Sarah being one of those hit hard.
* HilariousInHindsight: The rap verse of the opening theme may bring ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}'' to mind. And Creator/AndrewRannells voiced UsefulNotes/AlexanderHamilton long before playing UsefulNotes/GeorgeIII in said musical.
* JerkassWoobie: Benedict Arnold, who is constantly fighting off inquiries into his finances and conduct by the Continental Congress and is constantly at odds with figures such as General Horatio Gates. Indeed, his contributions to the revolution are often a thankless endeavor despite his unquestionable skill and high regard from General Washington. He certainly loses this status though after his betrayal of West Point to the British, a position given to him with Washington's blessing. Fittingly, he is reviled by every figure who had come to respect him afterward, and is much too eager to see the defeat of the man who had been his greatest defender.
* MemeticMutation: On the "commercial break" segments.
** "Let's play a round of Continental Cartoons!"
** "Time for Now & Then -- comparing life to the 18th and 21st centuries!"
* {{Narm}}:
** Music/AaronCarter's [[AWildRapperAppears rapping]] in the theme song. Also the "ooh-yee-aah".
** Some of the voice acting by the various American or British delegates seen in the series can get quite over the top and hammy.
* NarmCharm: The opening theme, ''especially'' the aforementioned rap. Is it ridiculous and over-the-top? Yes. If you play it in a room full of people who grew up on this show, will they all immediately jump in to sing along with great passion? ''Hell yes''.
* NightmareFuel: The series isn't afraid to show the results of conflict or implying death by other means, even if obviously cleaned up enough to be viewable by children. The TarAndFeathers portion is probably one of the darkest moments in the entire series.
* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: The reaction of some fans when the series aired in syndication, in which various segments from the PBS airings were cut out.
* ToyShip: James and Sarah as they are 14 and 15. When they can use being engaged as a cover story to get out of trouble, they are already adults.
* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: The show covers topics such as war, and several characters are killed off, including one of the main character's cousins. It also has no qualms with covering slavery, with one of the main characters being a former slave.
* TheWoobie:
** James, Henri, and Moses when they explain their pasts.
** Sarah when her cousin dies. And Tom himself at the moment.
** Almost ''everyone'' in this series gets Woobified at one point or another. Especially the historical characters, but oddly enough, [[UsefulNotes/MarquisDeLafayette Lafayette]] escapes this, as none of the numerous tragic events of his real-life counterpart's life are brought up, with the worst thing that happens to him being getting shot in the leg during his first battle.