Peace is declared with France and Commander Hornblower's career prospects have dried up. But trouble is brewing in France, forcing him to investigate.
- Artistic License – History: In the opening, the Irish sailor has a tattoo for HMS Victory. It wasn't used until after the Battle of Trafalgar, which occurred in 1805 when the episode takes place in 1803.
- Big "YES!": Hornblower's crew cheers upon hearing that England and France are now at peace.
- Call-Back: Hornblower once again dominates in a game of whist, as he did in "The Even Chance."
- Death of a Child: One of the pre-teen powder monkeys is blown up during an engagement.
- The Dog Bites Back: After learning that Wolfe framed him for the kitchen fire, Styles beats him with his belt during the final fight on the beach.
- Early-Bird Cameo: Pellew's steward, Doughty, has a brief appearance in which he presents a pie in the shape of the fort that they're going to attack. He has an expanded role in the next episode.
- Ensign Newbie: Midshipman Jack Hammond. Midshipmen are officers in training, but with full responsibilities. Jack's in charge during their mission when Captain Hornblower and co. get captured. He deals very badly and experienced lower-deck sailor Matthews can tell he screwed up and let others down.Matthews: Captain Hornblower never ordered you to clear that jetty.
Jack Hammond: You weren't there.
Matthews: He would never have given up that easy. Though you might. - Foreshadowing: In the opening, upon retaking the Hotspur, Hornblower finds an Irish sailor who defected to the French.
- Frame-Up: Wolfe makes it look like Styles left the doors to the stove wide open, causing a fire in the galley.
- Hero-Worshipper: Upon meeting Hornblower, Jack Hammond says that he's read much of his exploits. This hero worship leads him to think of Hornblower as a friend rather than his commanding officer.
- Just Between You and Me: Wolfe reveals that he is neither the only nor most important spy within the Royal Navy. Hornblower tries to goad him into revealing who it is, and Wolfe admits it'd be a shame for him to die without knowing who betrayed him. But then he orders that he be taken back to his cell.
- Lethal Chef: Styles volunteers to be Hornblower's steward, but his first breakfast is completely burnt.
- The Mentor: Matthews tries to serve as this for Jack, but quickly loses his patience.
- The Mole: Wolfe and Captain Hammond are serving in the British Royal Navy but they are revealed to be Irish rebels working with Napoleon.
- New Meat: Jack Hammond. Barely a minute after arriving on board, it's clear he has no business serving on a naval vessel. Unlike most of other green sailors in this miniseries, he does not get better. He only slightly redeems himself at the end of the film when he finds some bravery.
- No, Mr. Bond, I Expect You to Dine: Wolfe invites Hornblower to dinner, but he firmly says he doesn't eat with traitors.
- Oh, Crap!:
- Hornblower and Côtard when they see an entire division camped out near a major port.
- Wolfe when he realizes that the battery has stopped firing even though the retreating British ships are easy targets.
- Red Alert: Hornblower calls for beat to quarters when a fire breaks out in the galley.
- Red Herring: Major Côtard is introduced as a potential traitor, given how quickly his rendezvous falls apart. Hornblower suspects him until he learns that Captain Hammond was the real traitor.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Hornblower orders Jack to have Matthews and the marines wait for them. But when Jack sees a battalion of French troops moving out, he panics and claims Hornblower ordered them to get away.
- Time Skip: The episode opens with peace being declared with France, then cuts to a year later.
- What Happened to the Mouse?:
- Captain Hammond surrenders the entire company of marines. While Hammond reveals himself to be the traitor, we don't see the marines again.
- Hornblower tells Maria that he has no living family. He was writing to his father in the first episode, leaving it unknown what has happened to the elder Hornblower since.
