Hornblower is in prison, awaiting trial for mutiny.
- Bread and Circuses: Sawyer keeps the majority of his crew placated with generous servings of rum.
- Broken Pedestal: Hornblower and Kennedy were initially thrilled to be serving with a man as distinguished as Captain Sawyer, but then they see that his best days are far behind him.
- Corporal Punishment: Poor Wellard repeatedly gets sentenced to beatings by Sawyer.
- Establishing Character Moment: During a storm, Lieutenant Buckland defers to Hornblower when making a judgement on shortening sail, because Hornblower is the officer of the watch while Buckland is the senior officer.
- How We Got Here: The episode opens with Hornblower in prison, recounting the events to Pellew.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Matthews mentions that one of his old captains once caught him asleep on watch, but he was a kind man and let the matter drop after a mere dozen lashes.
- What the Hell, Hero?: Pellew visits Hornblower in prison and is thoroughly disappointed in him.
- Whole Episode Flashback: The episode begins and ends with Hornblower being visited by Pellew. Everything in between shows the events six months prior.
