Freshly-promoted Lieutenant Hornblower joins an expedition to restore the French monarchy, but it appears to be doomed to failure.
- Animal Motif: The French are called by the derogatory term "frogs." The British troops are called the "lobsters," due to their redcoat uniforms.
- Aristocrats Are Evil: Montcoutant is a one-man justification for the entire French Revolution. His only priority is to put his old peasants back in their place as brutally as possible, comparing them to livestock at one point.
- Artistic License – History: François Athanase Charette de La Contrie was a real historical figure, although he never went to England or participated in a landing of counter-revolutionary French emigrates. He was the leader of an army of counter-revolutionary insurgents in Vendée. His army ended up crushed by the Republic's forces, he was captured in 1796 and executed shortly thereafter.
- Big Damn Heroes: The bloody Indy comes to the rescue when the British troops are cornered on the beach.
- Defiant to the End:
- Fauré breaks into singing "La Marseillaise" rather than back down to Moncoutant.
- The French Royalists. Even though they clearly had no business fighting from the start, they remain to fight to the last man.
- Composite Character: There were several French commanders on the expedition. A few of them had markedly different political leanings, and the dispute between the arch-royalists and the more moderate factions hampered the operation. The story condenses them all into General Charette and the fictional Moncoutant.
- Disproportionate Retribution: Mariette mentions that Moncoutant has executed a baker for selling stale bread.
- Also earlier in the episode when Matthews and Styles threaten a Royalist soldier with hanging for trying to "steal" a chicken. Somewhat justified in that according to the English Articles of War, stealing is punishable by death. However, as Hornblower points out, the Royalists aren't necessarily aware of this.
- Dope Slap: Styles attempts to do this to Oldroyd when the latter enthusiastically joins the French Royalists in shouting "Vive le roi!" ("Long live the King!"). Oldroyd ducks just in time.
- The Dog Bites Back: If Moncoutant's treatment of the town after their "liberation" is any indication, he was not kind to them before the revolution and thus makes his execution at their hands all the more satisfying.
- Downer Ending: The Royalist cause fails and Mariette is killed while trying to escape with Hornblower.
- Dressing as the Enemy: Bowles kills a republican soldier and steals his uniform in order to escape the slaughter at the main encampment.
- Enemy Mine: Any interservice animosity that exists between the British sailors and infantrymen evaporates as it becomes apparent that they're on their own with little chance of escape.
- Everyone Has Standards: One of the French troops is shocked when Moncoutant demands his pistol so that he can shoot a child.
- Explain, Explain... Oh, Crap!: Pellew wonders aloud why his ship is remaining to cover a potential retreat when it took four ships to ferry the invasion force. He realizes that it's because the French are not expected to retreat with more than a quarter of their forces and calls it "the mathematics of defeat."
- "Facing the Bullets" One-Liner: With their backs to the water and facing an incoming republican force, Styles asks if anyone would fancy a swim.
- Foregone Conclusion: Given that the French monarchy isn't officially restored until 1814, it's a forgone conclusion that the invasion will fail.
- French Jerk: Moncoutant, easily the most unpleasant Frenchman on the show.
- General Failure: General Charette. Even before his plan is jeopardized by enemy spies, it is a foolhardy expedition that greatly overestimates the will of the people to stand with their former monarchs.
- Gentleman Snarker: Major Edrington is polite, but still makes several cutting remarks, like when he watches with amusement as Hornblower tries and fails to mount a horse."I can see why you chose the Navy."
- Gilligan Cut: After learning they have a wind, Pellew remarks "Pray it's not too late." The scene then cuts to Hornblower and the French royalists, completely surrounded, letting off one last volley of musket fire before being overwhelmed.
- Home by Christmas: Admiral Hood and General Charette treat the invasion of France as a foregone victory. Hornblower even says that in a week, they may be toasting to the downfall of the French Republic. Pellew is naturally skeptical from the start.
- Insane Admiral: Downplayed. Admiral Hood orders the operation to proceed, even after learning that the orders may have been stolen by enemy spies. However, this is due to political pressure from the government, not outright insanity.
- Instant Death Stab: Averted in the case of the British messenger at the beginning of the episode. After being stabbed by the two spies, he manages to make it back to British headquarters before dying.
- Played straight with the republican soldier Bowles kills in order to steal his uniform.
- Interservice Rivalry: The Royal Navy and British Army barely tolerate each other, but neither of them gets along well with the French royalists.
- Just Following Orders: After learning that Charette's entire force has been destroyed, Pellew takes himself to task for following a plan that he knew had been leaked to the enemy and doesn't buy Bracegirdle's view that the responsibility lies with those who ordered him to follow a bad plan.
- Karmic Death: Moncoutant is killed with his own guillotine.
- Leitmotif: The British troops are introduced playing "The Girl I Left Behind Me," which becomes their theme for the episode.
- Majorly Awesome: Offsetting the incompetence of the flag officers is Major Edrington, who remains calm and professional throughout the campaign.
- Off with His Head!: Moncoutant brings his own guillotine so that he can execute "treasonous" members of the town. He is later killed with it once the royalist cause collapses.
- Only Sane Man: Captain Pellew is the only one who realizes from the very start that the invasion is a fool's gambit. Unfortunately, his superiors ignore his warnings.
- Outfit Decoy: Styles uses a hat on a sword to attract enemy potshots so that they can aim the cannon.
- Playing Possum: After the massacre of Charette's troops, Bowles plays dead. This allows him to quietly kill one of republicans and steal the soldier's uniform.
- Politically Incorrect Villain: Moncoutant snidely looks down on those born lower than him.
- Robbing the Dead: Some of the republican troops are seen looting the corpses of the royalist troops they've just killed.
- Skewed Priorities: Even as the royalist cause falls apart, Moncoutant continues to execute civilians rather than fight the republicans.
- Small Role, Big Impact: The two unnamed spies who kill the British messenger and steal the invasion plans at the start set into motion the events of the episode.
- Villainous Breakdown: Moncoutant, when he sees the state of his home and learns that his art collection has been burned to provide heating for the town.
- Villainous Valor: Even in the face of imminent defeat, Moncoutant refuses to flee, telling Hornblower that he will not abandon his home again.
- Worthless Yellow Rocks: The townspeople used Moncoutant's books and art collection as fire fuel, as there was no practical purpose for them.
- Would Hurt a Child: Moncoutant gets ready to shoot a boy who won't stop singing "La Marseillaise," but Hornblower is able to talk him out of it.
- You Are in Command Now: With Moncoutant consumed with punishing the town, Edrington assumes command of the situation once it's clear they're surrounded.
