Hornblower and his crew are captured by the Spanish, and are reunited with a familiar face.
- The Bus Came Back: Archie returns, having been captured by the Spanish.
- Chew-Out Fake-Out: Pellew does this once Hornblower returns with the captured ship, claiming that he denied the rest of the Indy's crew a share of the prize money.
- Dressing as the Enemy: Hornblower and his prize crew attempt this, but the Spanish see right through it.
- Establishing Character Moment: The episode opens with Hornblower and his men observing a party of French sailors coming ashore. Hunter takes out his pistol and is ready to start firing until Hornblower quietly tells him to put it down, showing that the midshipman is a Blood Knight.
- Hope Spot: Hornblower's career seems to be looking up, having captured a French ship that will earn him a thousand pounds in prize money (equal to £80,000 in 2017). However, the French soon take it back and he ends up in a prison.
- Know When to Fold 'Em: The French captain decides to surrender when Hornblower has him dead in the sight of a loaded pistol.
- MacGuffin: The dispatches that Pellew entrusts with Hornblower.
- Oh, Crap!: Hornblower and the Duchess when a French colonel recognizes her as an actress.
- Rank Up: The dispatches included Hornblower's promotion to lieutenant.
- True Companions: After inadvertently escaping while rescuing a Spanish ship, Hornblower's crew are picked up by the Indy. He insists that he must return to prison, as he gave his word that he would not escape. His crew join him.
- Wham Line: Archie telling Hornblower that the Duchess is actually an actress.
- Worthy Opponent:
- Hornblower allows the French captain to keep his sword after seizing his ship.
- Don Massaredo has a great deal of respect for Hornblower, giving him a wide range of privileges such as two hours exercise and giving him Spanish books so that he can learn his language. He is also deeply disappointed when Hornblower claims the escape attempt was his doing.
