After having watched "Duty", I wish someone 'kicked Hornblower in the head', as a certain Chicago flatfoot with experimental hair is so fond of saying.

Callous, heartless bastard. And I'm not only saying that because of Maria. "You must obey me." to Bush -- what a way to treat a friend, but then, after "Duty", I'm not sure he even wants friends anymore, when subordinates are so very much more convenient. Subordinates whose lifes are worth nothing. Evidently caring for his men and about justice -- not solely about duty -- was something he shed when he was promoted to Commander.

Let's not even talk about the idiocy of taking Bush ashore with him and leaving a mere Midshipman in command of the Hotspur. Plus forcing Bracegirdle to climb a bloody cliff -- the man's no longer young and definitely not fit. And to send Matthews with him -- what is Hornblower? Dumb?!

Poor Bush. Poor Styles. Poor Maria. And welcome to the new Captain Foster.