Episode 203 - HMS Surprise (Part 1)

A new ship, officers, and crew together in a metaphorical crucible. Characters new and old encounter a very different kind of action. We examine sea officers, authority and humanity; men and marriage, various rats, light and colors, and swimming the Hellespont. Ch 5.

Surprise! A celebration of new things arising! A masterful chapter of names: of a book, of a curious English parish near Mapes, of a dead French agent, of a new Naval chief, and of course of a ship. Ch 4.

Jack struggles with who to trust and how to attempt to rescue Stephen. We examine, warfare, honour and the needs of the greater good, while along the way literature’s greatest male friendship is affirmed. Ch 3.

We’re on short commons blockading Toulon. Jack writes home about bloody action and the Lively's crew, Killick comes to life, and an unexpected night meeting on a beach has our plants starting to pay off. Ch 2.

A new First Lord and Admiralty Board shake up the story and endanger Stephen. There's a secondhand Diana update, Jack is nowhere to be seen, and Stephen sets off on a new mission, which worries Sir Joseph. Ch 1.

Ian and Mike celebrate the show’s bicentenary by answering listener questions, with help from our Patreons and from special guest Steve Morris. We discuss battle scenes, characters, WW2 exploits, Aubreyisms, friendship and of course Star Trek.

The Lively goes into action.  Jack receives surprising insights into Stephen's secret life and Admiralty connections. After weather disruption, a tense negotiation and Jack refusing to touch a belaying pin, things blow up as Post Captain comes to an end, or maybe a beginning. Ch 14.

A deeply philosophical Stephen seems an unsuccessful matchmaker. Jack designs a "Love Boat" interior. There's an intelligence mission, a copycat Nelson plan, opera, grace, virtue, music, words, art, scent, lots of rain, and plenty of references - this episode has it all! Ch 14 part 1.

Just as everything turned around last chapter - get ready for them to turn again! In this short chapter, Jack tries to work his way on the Lively. Stephen makes a stunning find ashore. And Jack learns why you have to be careful what you wish for. Ch 13.

Jack learns his fate from the Admiralty and faces new challenges, including Stephen. We learn about bees, ideal friendship, crack ships, leadership, dog watches and the reason behind the book's title, as the story takes an unexpected turn. Ch 12.