Examination for Lieutenant aka The fire ships
Examination for Lieutenant aka The fire ships CAREFULL! Can contain spoilers for those who have not seen HH yet! I had another look at this episode again. And see if I can get you to do the same. :razz: This one is usually not so interesting for me. It suffers the same big flaw as Loyalty and Duty: No Archie Kennedy. :waaah: :weeping But whereas Loyalty and Duty offer us Mr Bush, Mr Cotard and some other fine :naughty officers as recompense, in this episode we get Foster, Tapling and .... Bunting. :???: :sick: Now he's better looking than Mr Hunter, that's for sure, but at least Mr Hunter had a spine and I could understand why he did what he did. But Bunting is just... well just... how I can put this gently... WHY the :censored didn't Horatio clobber him over the head with a piece of wood?!?!? It starts great with the coming of a Spanish captain to tell the people aboard the “Indy” that Spain is no longer neutral. It gives Ioan a chance to speak French (AWWW! :cool: ) And captain Pellew gets the honor of having the funniest sentence in the episode: “Get him over the side… with dignity.” :happy We get introduced to Dreadnaught Foster, who, because he doesn’t wish to surrender to the Spanish, helps to sink the British supply ship bound for Gibraltar, that he is on, which is not a smart move considering food-supplies are becoming low. :unsure: Luckily for Foster he gets picked up by the Indy. Too bad that most of the crew of the supply-ship is dead, which doesn’t seem to faze Foster, but his arrogance annoys Pellew. Particularly if Horatio turns out to be quiet impressed with Foster. :oops: Once Foster is dropped off, Pellew calls Horatio to his cabin, telling him that he must prepare for his lieutenant’s exam. :shock I like how they filmed the next scenes. How Horatio discovers the repercussions of Foster’s actions, orders Cleveland to tell the men to stop singing because he cannot study (really Horatio :tsk tsk: ) An order followed for about 10 seconds before Bunting picks up the singing, even louder than before. :cool: I love the interaction between Bracegirdle and Horatio when the first has to explains to Horatio why his demand for more silence is unfair. Horatio’s question: “But why are they singing?” always has me going :wall: :wall:, but Bracegirdle's answer: “Given the choise between singing and weeping, which would you fancy?” :love: and how he informs Horatio that a good Lieutenant knows the ways of his men. :plotting I am sorry that we lost Finch, I actually liked him, for some odd reason. He, afterall, saved Horatio during the raid on the Papillon when he was shot by Simpson. (Good actor, Chris Barnes, well acted :thumbs up ) And just when you think there isn't a person more annoying than Bunting, guess what. They introduce us to this diplomat called Tapling. :hammer (Wasn't that the same guy who was Ioan's lawyer in Man & Boy?) I thought that entire Bunting stealing food and getting punished, in spite of Horatio’s attempt to take some of the responsibility, was very well filmed. Not too over-the-top. I guess it shows how tough life could be on these ships and a part of me understands Pellew's decision to punish Bunting severly. Next Horatio goes to Oran with Tapling and discovers it is hit by the plague, which is why they suddenly have to stay in quarantine. Alltough I found some of the logistical problems interesting to watch like how do you carry cattle on board, keep them cool and what do you with everything that comes out 'the other end'. To think that they simply chucked all of it over the side.... Good for them there was no Greenpeace then or they would have been in serious trouble. :twisted: One of the other hilarious moments must be when Horatio confronts Tapling. The delicious sarcasme when Horatio says: “I would consider it my duty to help speed your release from this world, Sir.” Who said that Horatio doesn't have a sense of humor. :rotf: I may not like Bunting as a character, but Andrew Tiernan is great. The scene where he runs away and gets chased by Horatio ending in the fight that kills Bunting is absolutely great. The guy has obviously lost all will to live. The heated conversation between Foster and Horatio when Horatio finds out that Foster has taken one of the cattle... :cool: The return of the Caroline with Horatio standing there with that lovely hat on is just :woohoo Off course Horatio gets sent to the examination board anyway and when he arrives there with his 'flat' hat. :happy Ioan can have a comical side. Naturally one of his examinators HAD to be Foster. To see this stammering Horatio was really good, he can come across so arrogant, so seeing him stammering and insecure made ME feel better. :razz: I love the totally bored look on Foster's face when he replies 'Indeed' to one of Horatio's questions. (Never noticed it before until tonight) The scenes where Horatio is on the fire ship look brilliant, but I wonder how realistic they are? If you see them at the wheel you can see that they are supposedly close to the fire, but it would seem to me that SO much heat must be given off by the fire, that I wonder if Horatio could have come so close. When Foster fall is the hole, the flames are clearly coming through. Foster should have been on fire as well and I don't think he would have been able to hold on.. But let's not nitpick. It all looks great and exciting. The argument between Foster and Hammond once they are back with Horatio looking from to the other is just... :rotf: Off course it ends with a lecture from Pellew and doesn't Horatio look just great in those last scenes? :love: Whatdoyoumean, you can't remember? Well, go have another look. :happy ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Favorite quotes: “Get him over the side… With dignity.” - Pellew “We will prevail, Sir. They say we have God on our side.” - Hornblower “Really? Than let us pray the Allmighty never choses to become neutral.” - Pellew “But why are they singing?” - Horatio “Given the choise between singing and weeping, which would you fancy?” – Bracegirdle “The hand of Death is upon me.” - Tapling “In that case you shall have no need for ration.” - Horatio “You would withhold rations from a dying man?” - Tapling “I would consider it my duty to help speed your release from this world, Sir.” - Horatio “Let us pray… we live in quarantine for the rest of our lives.”- Styles “Mr Hornblower, are you allright?” - Foster “A little singed, sir.” - Horatio

If your aim was to get us re-watch Examination for Lieutenant (or The Fire Ships), well, you succeeded, at least with me. Time to go back to HH! Next week will be HH week for me. I enjoyed reading your comments on this episode, Sylviane.

I loved this episode! Notwithstanding the lack of Archie, this is my favorite of the four 1st season episodes. Hornblower really grows in this one. I read some background history and I think Foster was a real person ... who challenged someone to a duel and lost. Pellew's character grew on me during this episode too. I love the way he enuciates some of his words ... like "neutral" in the quote you liked. And his spitfire "Wanton extravagance!" when taking Hornblower to task ... albeit jokingly even though Hornblower didn't get it for a moment. I am sorry that we lost Finch, I actually liked him, for some odd reason. I agree ... I like him too. But he's resurrected as a Quaker and helps Wilberforce. :lol:

Sylviane - Your commentary on the episode does inspire a re-viewing. Can't help but love - Horatio in that straw hat. Horatio trying to apologize to Pellew for saying the wrong thing Stumbling on top of the Captains as he falls in the boat. His shock in the boat when the Captains talk of a duel - his look after just saving Foster - and yes Ioan can do comedy, particularly low key, smart comedy. With Finch in AG and Styles in King Arthur - makes you wonder if it was just happenstance or if Ioan had some suggestions for casting?

This is one of my favourite episodes, too! I love the mixture of action and humour. That Horatio is proved fallible - who among you, who had not read the books, was not fully expecting him to pass his Lieutenant's exam? Pellew's gentle ribbing at the end is priceless! As for Ioan and casting, GG, it could be, but British TV (and possibly film) seems to be a kind of club, where the same faces show up frequently. Perhaps we should resurrect the 'Spot the Hornblower Actor' game? Dennis Law, who plays Foster, is a regular in quality dramas over here. He poopped up recently as a baddie in Robin Hoodie (wonderful!). He's always worth watching.

Alright, Sylviane! NOW you've done it,...........I WAS going to re-watch AG this afternoon................but NOOO, you had to go and get me all hepped up on Hornblower, didn't you??? Thanks alot! Now I'll just be confined to quarters with a 'quarantined' soon-to-be lieutenant, I guess...........c'mon, Horatio, let's go "study" for your examination,eh? :wink: :twisted: :wink: :twisted: (Sometimes duty just calls, you know?)

Hi Sylviane, You got me to re-watch this adventure, and I'm glad I did, as always! It's been awhile, and watching all those little facial movements Ioan does is so entertaining to me. The comic overtures throughout are always fun,and I personally, always smile when Foster and Hammond argue at the end-------Foster says to Horatio something like "I owe you my life."-----Then Horatio replies: "Apparently not for long, Sir!" It's not my favorite Hornblower episode, but it is still an enjoyable way to spend a little time. (Oh! I still get grossed out when Captain Pellew brushes the maggots out if his bread!!! Yuck!)- - - - - - - - - - You did a good job suggesting this one again, Syl, I had fun with it !!! BTW, what's your favorite Hornblower episode anyway?

Alright, Sylviane! NOW you've done it,...........I WAS going to re-watch AG this afternoon................but NOOO, you had to go and get me all hepped up on Hornblower, didn't you??? Yes! Yes! Yes! YESSSS :woohoo !!!!!! (See how guilty I feel? :cool: ) Thanks alot! Now I'll just be confined to quarters with a 'quarantined' soon-to-be lieutenant, I guess...........c'mon, Horatio, let's go "study" for your examination,eh? (Sometimes duty just calls, you know?) I sympathise. Quarantined, hey? :plotting I just caught mr Rhys in 'the Lost world' you know with all those dinosaurs and prehistoric bugs one can catch, I think I'd better quarantine myself with him. (In the Guttermaiden Alley) Wouldn't want anyone else here to get sick, now do we? You're right: Sometimes duty just calls, you know? Captain Pellew would SO agree. :wink: BTW, what's your favorite Hornblower episode anyway? Duchess & the Devil. Has everything. Archie. Horatio. Good strategy on the island. Teasing Pellew. Rock apes. Archie. The oubliette. The rats. Archie. Sweetest Styles. Stupidest Oldroyd. Wisest Matthews. Archie. The infirmary. The rescue at sea. The fog. The Spanish fleet. Oh and I almost forgot to mention it: Archie's back!! :happy I made a tread on that one too. Why not read it again? Or the one on "the Even Chance/the Duel? And see if that triggers some more interest in Horatio? :naughty

Re: Examination for Lieutenant aka The fire ships
Wow Sylviane, that great! Good job :cool: I love the interaction between Bracegirdle and Horatio when the first has to explains to Horatio why his demand for more silence is unfair. Horatio’s question: “But why are they singing?” always has me going :wall: :wall:, but Bracegirdle's answer: “Given the choise between singing and weeping, which would you fancy?” :love: and how he informs Horatio that a good Lieutenant knows the ways of his men. :plotting Just curious, why does it make you react like that? ;-> I think what has to be remembered is that Horatio is only young in this episode, he was only 17 in the previous one, and is new to the 'life at sea' thing. How is he to know that they are singing to keep their minds of things? He's really just a kid, and if not a kid then only just an adult, and really, until Bracegirdle explained it to Horatio I had no idea why they singing either! I took the 'they are doing it to be annoying' approach, but that's probably a sign of my age and lack of depth. Other than that, top job! Duchess & the Devil. Has everything. Archie. Horatio. Good strategy on the island. Teasing Pellew. Rock apes. Archie. The oubliette. The rats. Archie. Sweetest Styles. Stupidest Oldroyd. Wisest Matthews. Archie. The infirmary. The rescue at sea. The fog. The Spanish fleet. Oh and I almost forgot to mention it: Archie's back!! Haha, yes, Archie is rather special. I could watch Mutiny all over again just to hear him say 'As a sailor, or as a man?' when Bush said he knows of the captain's reputation. And I could watch Duchess and the Devil just to see Horatio change into the French uniform. He looked mighty fine. :cool:

Over time, the interactions between Bracegirdle and Horatio are almost as fun to watch as those between Horatio and Pellew or Horatio and Matthews, all are more father and son (watchful and caring), than the friendships between Horatio and Archie or Horatio and Bush. I really like Bracegirdle. When he chucks Horatio's chin in The Wrong War as Bracie teases HH about the new uniform. Too cute and kind of pulls HH out of the stiff officer mode.

Re: Examination for Lieutenant aka The fire ships
His inability to put himself in his men's place, is due to being too young. He may have been done good in battle, he absolutely lacked certain social skills to be a good officer. Yup ... but he's a quick study! His humility keeps him teachable and he learns his lessons well. I think that's why he's such an endearing character ... both on film and in the books. Sawyer commented to Buckland a few years later regarding Hornblower's leadership ("... his men love him...") being far greater in his young years than Buckland could manage in decades of service. I can't remember if Forester narrated why Hornblower blew it during the test. He really should have been able to nail the answer because he was well-studied in terms of seamanship and he has a high degree of intellect. But some very smart people fail miserably when being tested bookwise, yet perform admirably during real-life application. I think because Hornblower had to wait all day, he worked up such a case of nerves, especially after seeing that Foster was one of the examiners. I believe he knew the answer, but being tired, anxious and nervous made him stumble. It's a good thing, really. Beacause he hesitated answering the problem, Hammond progressed the senario as it would probably happen in real time, quietly showing Hornblower the disasterous results of hesitation in making decisions at sea. Actually, better to fail this on land in front of superior officers than to fail it for real at sea.

I think you are right HilJohn that Hornblower especially when he was young was so prone to nerves and self-doubt that he would mess up if given too much time to think. Because of his intellect and book knowledge there are too many possible solutions causing hesitation and in the case of his exam-failure. That plus the success he has early on when he uses his hunches and jumps right into action maybe why he learns to act quickly and cover up his self-doubts in public to become the perfect officer. In doing so he also covers up his humanity. But humans can only cover their true selves for awhile, so when the nervous, unsure HH pops out at inopportune moments - like after the cannonball lands on the ship in Loyalty/Duty - his fears and self-doubt if admitted must quickly be covered over by the face of duty. Young Horatio is crushed down and no longer exists to the world. Sorry, if that's not well put as it is kind of stream of consciousness.

:) This is the latest HH I've seen too. And it was even better with the second viewing, there was much I had forgotten and much I had not even had time to see when the action took my attention (and the beginning of a crush with Ioan) BTW Love your new banners!!! I like this little "inner joke" that escaped me, and perhaps is only known if one has read the books to know that Horatio is really tone-deaf... When Horatio is complaining about the loud singing when he's trying to study and Bracegirdle asks him, between singing and weeping which would he choose (can't remember the right quote) HH looks as if that is a trick question... (who could prefer singing???)