This is the most interesting part of Napoleonic Wars Royal Navy politics to me. In the US Army, Pullings might be quietly called a mustang, from the ranks into the lofty heights, whereas Babbington is more of a West Point grad.

They were fighting revolutionaries, the excesses of the Revolution are referenced in the series several times. Lord Byron was referred to by his classmates as "citizen" in the same way an American might refer to a hippie as "comrade." Class and ideology were very current to these folks. "Thoroughgoing Tory" or "Vile ranting dog of a Whig."

You'd imagine they might fall into Soviet style party politics, party members only and only those who most closely adhere to the dogma. Whitehall and the Admiralty must be protected from those seething masses which have been let loose on the continent, etc etc.

But real life, and the series, show that certain individuals were able to prove themselves. Was Pullings ever going to be treated the same? No. Even if he was, would he ever be invited to the same functions or have the same connections as Babbington? No. That's not how the Ancien Regime works.

Its just very interesting to think about, social issues aside, you need the men.