History Series / Sharpe

** Colonel Brand seems to have a duelling scar.

* GroinAttack: Harper grabs Sharpe in the balls during a fight in ''Sharpe's Rifles.'' Sharpe returns the favour in another fight in the same episode.

* ChildSoldier: Ensign Matthews in ''Sharpe's Company'' (the actor was 17).

* FiveManBand: The TV version of Sharpe and the Chosen Men:
** TheHero: Sharpe
** TheLancer: Harper
** TheSmartGuy: Harris (he's a former schoolteacher)
** TheBigGuy[=/=]TheHeart: Hagman (not in the traditional sense, but he's the best sharpshooter in a team of Riflemen)
** TheChick: Perkins (the youngest and least experienced).
** TheSixthRanger: Teresa, a partisan, until [[spoiler:her death]]. Afterwards, Captain Frederickson fills the role.

* ZeroPercentApprovalRating: The Prince of Orange, to the point where the only witness to Sharpe's attempt to frag him is more than happy to turn a blind eye to it.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, UsefulNotes/TheNapoleonicWars are consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. [[RapePillageAndBurn Rape, looting]], [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder treason, desertion]], UnfriendlyFire (all usually perpetrated by [[KarmaHoudini Karma Houdinis]]) are rampant. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores born of thieves and whores]], and a large contingent of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along at all times. The officer corps is, as a rule, made up of [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and their crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any promotion chances more on either dumb luck, a generous superior, a ''[[YouAreInCommandNow dead]]'' superior, [[DirtyBusiness quid-pro-quo]] or on [[DudeWheresMyRespect shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in everyone's faces]] - and even then, the prospect of advancement ''will'' eventually be capped by an impenetrable social glass ceiling. The [[BigGood commanding officers]], despite usually being more gracious, competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, dirty dealings and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men (especially with those of Sharpe and his crew) for little gain]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare (as is his Prince Regent), while his government is frightfully debauched and hideously corrupt; the country they're fighting for is plagued by social inequality and sectarianism. The enemies they're fighting against, despite being led by an imperialistic autocrat, [[NotSoDifferent are seldomly portrayed as much worse than Sharpe's own side]]. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his ([[AnyoneCanDie few and short-lived]]) comrades, friends and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occiasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, the conflict is consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. [[RapePillageAndBurn Rape, looting]], [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder treason, desertion]] and UnfriendlyFire are rampant. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores born of thieves and whores]], and a large contingent of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along at all times. The officer corps is, as a rule, made up of [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and their crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any promotion chances more on either dumb luck, a generous superior, a ''[[YouAreInCommandNow dead]]'' superior, quid-pro-quo or on [[DudeWheresMyRespect shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in everyone's faces]] - and even then, the prospect of advancement ''will'' eventually be capped by an impenetrable social glass ceiling. The [[BigGood commanding officers]], despite usually being more gracious, competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, dirty dealings and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men (especially with those of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare (as is his Prince Regent), while his government is frightfully debauched and hideously corrupt; the country they're fighting for is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The enemies they're fighting against, despite being led by an imperialistic autocrat, [[NotSoDifferent are seldomly protrayed as much worse than Sharpe's own side]]. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his ([[AnyoneCanDie few and short-lived]]) comrades, friends and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occiasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, the conflict is consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. [[RapePillageAndBurn Rape, looting]], [[BackstabbingBastard treason, desertion]] and UnfriendlyFire are rampant. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores born of thieves and whores]], and a large contingent of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along at all times. The officer corps is, as a rule, made up of [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and their crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any promotion chances more on either dumb luck, a generous superior, a ''[[YouAreInCommandNow dead]]'' superior, quid-pro-quo or on [[DudeWheresMyRespect shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in everyone's faces]] - and even then, the prospect of advancement ''will'' eventually be capped by an impenetrable social glass ceiling. The [[BigGood commanding officers]], despite usually being more gracious, competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, dirty dealings and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men (especially with those of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare (as is his Prince Regent), while his government is frightfully debauched and hideously corrupt; the country they're fighting for is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The enemies they're fighting against, despite being led by an imperialistic autocrat, [[NotSoDifferent are seldomly protrayed as much worse than Sharpe's own side]]. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his ([[AnyoneCanDie few and short-lived]]) comrades, friends and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occiasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, the conflict is consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. [[RapePillageBurn Rape, looting]], [[BackStabbingBastard treason, desertion]] and UnfriendlyFire are rampant. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores born of thieves and whores]], and a large contingent of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along at all times. The officer corps is, as a rule, made up of [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and their crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any promotion chances more on either dumb luck, a generous superior, a ''[[YouAreInCommandNow dead]]'' superior, quid-pro-quo or on [[DudeWheresMyRespect shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in everyone's faces]] - and even then, the prospect of advancement ''will'' eventually be capped by an impenetrable social glass ceiling. The [[BigGood commanding officers]], despite usually being more gracious, competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, dirty dealings and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men (especially with those of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare (as is his Prince Regent), while his government is frightfully debauched and hideously corrupt; the country they're fighting for is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The enemies they're fighting against, despite being led by an imperialistic autocrat, [[NotSoDifferent are seldomly protrayed as much worse than Sharpe's own side]]. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his ([[AnyoneCanDie few and short-lived]]) comrades, friends and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occiasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, the conflict is consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. Rape, looting, treason and UnfriendlyFire are rampant. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores born of thieves and whores]], and a large percentage of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along at all times. The officer corps is, as a rule, made up of [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and their crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any promotion chances more on either dumb luck, a generous superior, a ''[[KlingonPromotion dead]]'' superior, quid-pro-quo or on [[DudeWheresMyRespect shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in everyone's faces]] - and even then, the prospect of advancement ''will'' eventually be capped by an impenetrable social glass ceiling. The [[BigGood commanding officers]], despite usually being more gracious, competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, dirty dealings and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men (especially with those of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare (as is his Prince Regent), while his government is frightfully debauched and hideously corrupt; the country they're fighting for is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The enemies they're fighting against, despite being led by an imperialistic autocrat, [[NotSoDifferent are seldomly protrayed as much worse than Sharpe's own side]]. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his ([[AnyoneCanDie few and short-lived]]) comrades, friends and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occiasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, the conflict is consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. Rape, looting, treason and UnfriendlyFire are rampant. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores born of thieves and whores]], and a large percentage of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along at all times. The officer corps is, as a rule, made up of [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and their crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any chance of promotion chances more on either dumb luck, the kindness of superiors, quid-pro-quo or on [[DudeWheresMyRespect shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in everyone's faces]] - and even then, the prospect of advancement is capped by an impenetrable social glass ceiling. The [[BigGood commanding officers]], despite usually being more gracious, competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, dirty dealings and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men (especially with those of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare (as is his Prince Regent), while his government is frightfully debauched and hideously corrupt; the country they're fighting for is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The enemies they're fighting against, despite being led by an imperialistic autocrat, [[NotSoDifferent are seldomly protrayed as much worse than Sharpe's own side]]. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his ([[AnyoneCanDie few and short-lived]]) comrades, friends and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occiasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, the conflict is consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores born of thieves and whores]], and a large percentage of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along at all times. The officer corps is, as a rule, made up of [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and their crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any chance of promotion chances more on either dumb luck, the kindness of superiors, quid-pro-quo or on [[DudeWheresMyRespect shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in everyone's faces]] - and even then, the prospect of advancement is capped by an impenetrable social glass ceiling. The [[BigGood commanding officers]], despite usually being more gracious, competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, dirty dealings and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men (especially with those of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare (as is his Prince Regent), while his government is frightfully debauched and hideously corrupt; the country they're fighting for is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The enemies they're fighting against, despite being led by an imperialistic autocrat, [[NotSoDifferent are seldomly protrayed as much worse than Sharpe's own side]]. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his ([[AnyoneCanDie few and short-lived]]) comrades, friends and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occiasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, the conflict is consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores thieves and whores]], and a large percentage of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along regularl. The officer corps is, as a rule, [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any chance of promotion chances more on either dumb luck, the kindness of superiors, quid-pro-quo or on [[DudeWheresMyRespect shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in everyone's faces]]. The [[BigGood commanding officers]], despite usually being more competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, corruption and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men, (especially with the lives of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare (as is his Prince Regent); the country they're fighting for is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The enemies they're fighting against, despite being led by an imperialistic autocrat, [[NotSoDifferent are seldomly protrayed as much worse than Sharpe's own side]]. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his ([[AnyoneCanDie few and short-lived]]) comrades, friends and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occiasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, the conflict is consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores thieves and whores]], and a large percentage of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along regularl. The officer corps is, as a rule, [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any chance of promotion chances more on either dumb luck, the kindness of superiors, quid-pro-quo or on [[DudeWheresMyRespect shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in everyone's faces]]. The [[BigGood commanding officers]] are, while usually more competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, corruption and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men, (especially with the lives of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare (as is his Prince Regent); the country they're fighting for is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The enemies they're fighting against, despite being led by an imperialistic autocrat, [[NotSoDifferent are seldomly protrayed as much worse than Sharpe's own side]]. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his comrades and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occiasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, the conflict is consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores thieves and whores]], and a large percentage of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along regularl. The officer corps is, as a rule, [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any chance of promotion chances on either dumb luck, the kindness of superiors or shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in their faces. The [[BigGood commanding officers]] are, while usually more competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, corruption and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men, (especially with the lives of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare, as is his Prince Regent; their country they're fighting for is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The enemies they're fighting against, despite being led by an imperialistic autocrat, [[NotSoDifferent are seldomly protrayed as much worse than Sharpe's own side]]. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his comrades and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the fighting is occiasionally interspersed with with brief glimpses of glory and heroism, the conflict is consistently portrayed as either [[WarIsHell hellish]] or [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores thieves and whores]], and a large percentage of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along regularl. The officer corps is, as a rule, [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeyer their obsessions with class and crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any chance of promotion chances on either dumb luck, the kindness of superiors or shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in their faces. The [[BigGood commanding officers]] are, while usually more competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, corruption and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men, (especially with the lives of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare, as is his Prince Regent; their country is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his comrades and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the epic and awesome moments of the Napoleonic Wars do feature occasionally, the conflict is consistently portrayed as [[WarIsHell hellish and [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[ArmyOfThievesAndWhores thieves and whores]], and a large percentage of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along regularl. The officer corps is, as a rule, [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits]] and despite [[TheNeidermeier their obsessions with class and crippling arrogance]], they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any chance of promotion chances on either dumb luck, the kindness of superiors or shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in their faces. The [[BigGood commanding officers]] are, while usually more competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, corruption and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men, (especially with the lives of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare, as is his Prince Regent; their country is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his comrades and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVsCynicism: The series is very much in the cynical corner. Though the epic and awesome moments of the Napoleonic Wars do feature occasionally, the conflict is consistently portrayed as [[WarIsHell hellish and [[MundaneHorror mundane]]. Even in the good guys' army, an enlisted man's life is identified as somewhere between that of a human and an animal. Most soldiers are [[AnArmyOfThievesAndWhores thieves and whores]], and a large percentage of [[SociopathicSoldier sociopaths]] tag along as well. The officer corps is, as a rule, [[UpperClassTwit Upper Class Twits and despite their rampant ambition and arrogance, they often rival their men in terms of boorishness and brutality. Those officers that earned their commission by merit, like Sharpe, are [[AllOfTheirOtherReindeer actively ostracised and sabotaged at every turn]], to the point that that any chance of promotion chances on either dumb luck, the kindness of superiors or shamelessly rubbing any kind of success in their faces. The [[BigGood commanding officers]] are, while usually more competent and objective than the average officer, certainly [[GoodIsNotNice aren't above intrigue, corruption and actively and unnecessarily gambling with the lives of their men, (especially with the lives of Sharpe and his crew)]]. The God they're fighting for does not exist; the King they're fighting for is mad as a march hare, as is his Prince Regent; their country is plagued by social inquality and sectarianism. The only things that Sharpe - [[AntiHero who's a self-admitted bastard]] [[LowerClasslout in every sense of the word]] - is fighting for are his own survival and that of his comrades and loved ones, as well as for a better, more dignified life.

-->'''Wellesley''': Major Lennox answered with his '''''LIFE!'''''! As ''you'' should have done if you had any sense of honour! ''You lost the colours of the King of England.'' You ''disagraced'' us, sir! You ''shamed'' us, sir! ''You'' will answer. [[BadassBoast By God you will answer]]! The South Essex is stood down in name. If I wipe the name I may wipe the shame. I am making you a battalion of detachments, you will fetch and carry. The Light Company put up a fight, so I will let it stand under a new captain.

* HistoricalVillainUpgrade: ''Sharpe's Waterloo'' depicts Price of Orange as a selfish, buffoonish glory hog that doesn't care at all for the men he commands and [[spoiler:we're supposed to cheer when Sharpe kills him in cold blood after a botched assault]]. This depiction is considered an exaggeration, although historical debates as to his merits continue to this day, due to some serious mistakes he made at Waterloo.

* AristocratsAreEvil: PlayedStraight and Subverted. On screen at least pretty much ever other officer Sharpe meets is an aristocrat, and while many turn out to be antagonists or incompetents, others are honorable characters and become allies of Sharpe. The Duke of Wellington is portrayed in a generally favorable light, and the Prince of Wales, while being portrayed as a total lunatic, becomes a patron of Sharpe's. The trope is further subverted in ''Sharpe's Justice'' in which the villain is not an aristocrat, but a monied commoner who compares himself directly to Sharpe as a man from humble beginnings who rose to prominence on his own merit.

* BadassPreacher: Father Curtis from ''[[Recap/SharpeS3E3SharpesSword Sharpe's Sword]]''. In addition to his being an expert swordsman, as El Mirador, he also acts as the center of the British spy network in the region. Excellent singer, too.

* DemotedToExtra: Because the TV version of ''Sharpe's Rifles'' introduces Teresa early, Major Blas Vivar's role is downplayed in her favor. In the books, Teresa debuts in ''Sharpe's Gold''.

* GroinAttack: Harper grabs Sharpe in the balls during a fight in ''Sharpe's Rifles.'' Sharpe returns the favor in another fight in the same episode.

** The Prince Regent is a harmless version of the MilesGloriosus. He claims credit for great victories and exploits despite never having gone near a battlefield in his life, but everyone humors him since he's more concerned with the ego boost he gets from having his name associated with successful units. Plus, it doesn't hurt one's career to earn his favor when jockeying for position within the army hierarchy.

** In ''Sharpe's Waterloo'', Sharpe arranges for both Harris and Hagman to be made sergeants as a favor to his old companions.

-->'''Wellesley''': Major Lennox answered with his '''''LIFE!'''''! As ''you'' should have done if you had any sense of honor! ''You lost the colours of the King of England.'' You ''disagraced'' us, sir! You ''shamed'' us, sir! ''You'' will answer. [[BadassBoast By God you will answer]]! The South Essex is stood down in name. If I wipe the name I may wipe the shame. I am making you a battalion of detachments, you will fetch and carry. The Light Company put up a fight, so I will let it stand under a new captain.

** Major Hogan disappears after Sharpe's Eagle, even though he was present for far longer in the book series, leading the writers to create a string of SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitutes.

* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: And in a hilarious twist, featuring the original Chuck Cunningham himself.

* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: During a tense exchange with the ''staggeringly'' incompetent Prince of Orange in ''Sharpe's Waterloo'', Sharpe's "Fuck you", while clearly visible on his lips, is inaudible thanks to the sound of cannon fire.

* CallBack: In ''Sharpe's Rifles'', Dan Hagman advises Sharpe to treat an old wound with brown paper and paraffin oil. eight specials later, [[spoiler:when Sharpe has just recovered from being shot]] Dan Hagman gives Sharpe a gift of best brown paper and paraffin oil.

* ChronicallyKilledActor: {{Averted}}. Richard Sharpe is apparently so badass that not even being played by Creator/SeanBean can kill him.

* HistoricalVillainUpgrade: ''Sharpe's Waterloo'' depicts Price of Orange as a selfish, buffoonish glory hog that doesn't care at all for the men he commands and [[spoiler:we're supposed to cheer when Sharpe kills him in cold blood after a botched assault]]. This depiction is so far separated from what the real Prince of Orange was like (who was not only well-liked by the British but also his own men and, despite knowing he was not qualified to lead a regime when he took charge, still managed to do a competent job) that even fans of the show are rather irritated by how he was portrayed.

* FacialHorror: Captain Frederickson's head is pretty much covered in scars. He has burn scars all over his head that cost him most of his hair, and took a musket ball in the face which shattered his jaw, knocked out most of his teeth, tore one of his eyes out of its socket on the way out and left him with a Glasgow Grin. He deliberately cultivates his fearsome appearance to instill fear in his enemies, removes his false teeth and glass eye before going into combat (much to the disgust of people around him) and collects teeth from dead Frenchmen to make himself a set of dentures.

** The series depicts Price of Orange as a selfish, buffoonish glory hog that doesn't care at all for the men he commands and [[spoiler:we're supposed to cheer when Sharpe kills him in cold blood after a botched assault]]. This depiction is so far separated from what the real Prince of Orange was like(who was not only well-liked by the British but also his own men and, despite knowing he was not qualified to lead a regime when he took charge, still managed to do a competent job) that even fans of the show are rather irritated by how he was portrayed.

* YourCheatingHeart: Even though he's married to Teresa, Sharpe sleeps with Isabella, a former flame and married to an English aristocrat. [[spoiler: And then Teresa is shot while trying to save her from being raped by Hakeswill, and later dies.]]