Out of sympathy, Hornblower marries Maria. However, he is soon ordered to investigate the disappearance of a British ship that was looking into what Napoleon is up to.
- Artistic License – History: Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte was pregnant at the time of her attempt to enter Europe, but is not shown to be in the episode.
- The Bus Came Back: Bracegirdle returns, having been promoted to his own command.
- Chekhov's Skill: Doughty demonstrates his ability to swim early on when he rescues Jerome during a storm.
- Dropped a Bridge on Him: Bracegirdle is killed while trying to tell Hornblower what he found.
- Embarrassing Nickname: Maria takes to calling Hornblower "Horry." She is unaware that the name bothers him.
- Externally Validated Prophecy: Hornblower conscripts Maquire into helping on the ship, a practice known as impressment. Maquire protests because he's an American. The impressment of American sailors into the Royal Navy was one of the leading reasons for the War of 1812.
- Foreshadowing: After Betsy slaps him, Hornblower says that striking an officer is punishable by death.
- Honor Before Reason: Doughty gets into a fight with Styles and accidentally strikes Orrock, which necessitates his execution even though it was an accident.
- Took a Level in Jerkass: Styles does not take his being replaced by Doughty as the Captain's steward well.
