Merlin (TV series): Difference between revisions

'''--The Great Dragon''' }}

 

 

 

Other main characters include Morgana and Guinevere. Morgana, Uther's ward, struggles with visions of the future and her emerging magical powers, which gradually turns her against Uther. Guinevere works as Morgana's servant, is close friends with Merlin, and eventually becomes Arthur's main love interest.

{{tropelist}}

* [[Abhorrent Admirer]]: Grunhilda, to Gaius. Vivian, to Arthur (by the end of the episode at least).

* [[Acting for Two]]: [[Eve Myles]] in "The Dragon's Call" playing both Lady Helen and Mary Collins.

* [[Adaptational Angst Upgrade]]: Perhaps not so much an "upgrade" as a "shift" in what the main characters angst about. Arthur has [["Well Done, Son" Guy|Daddy Issues]], Morgana grapples with fear of her growing magical powers, Guinevere is given a [[Rags to Riches]] story, and Merlin has to hide his true identity while making [[Sadistic Choice]] after [[Sadistic Choice]]. Their legendary counterparts had [[Because Destiny Says So|Depressing Destinies]], [[Brother-Sister Incest]] and [[Love Triangle|Love Triangles]] to contend with.

* [[Adorkable]]: Merlin and Gwen (especially in her early appearances).

** Princess Elena

** Arthur and Lancelot can be this at times, especially when they're interacting with Gwen. Who could forget Arthur's face when he rescues Guinevere from an invisible wasp?

** In the series 4 premiere, Gwaine and Percival trying to swipe a chicken.

** Subverted with Gaius. Played straight with just about everyone else even if, in typical showbiz fashion you [[Dawson Casting|shave a few years]] off the actors real ages they're still in their late teens (Merlin) to mid twenties (Gwen) so maybe "Authority Figures Are Useless" would be more accurate.

* [[All Just a Dream]]: Episode 3x10 opens with Gwen becoming Queen of Camelot with Arthur as king, but it is shown that it is just a dream of Morgana's {{spoiler|though this dream comes true in the series 4 finale}}.

* [[A Light in the Distance]]: Arthur in the caves, looking for the mortaeus flower.

* [[Almighty Janitor]]: Merlin. Big time.

* [[Always Save the Girl]]: Arthur, Merlin and Lancelot have all been willing to give up what is most important to them in order to save Guinevere; respectively, his entitlement to the throne, his magical secret, and his life.

* [[Anachronism Stew]]: It pretty much turns Anachronism Stew [[Up to Eleven]], but somewhat justified in that it's probably not set in ''our'' timeline at all. When the creator was criticized for it, he pointed out that it isn't supposed to be historically accurate. People complain about the tomatoes, he said, but oddly enough no one's commented on the dragon.

** Gaius' medical knowledge being far too advanced for the time period.

** Gwen's kidnappers use [[Instant Sedation|chloroform]]. I mean, "compound of hog's wart."

** Parodied in the 2009 [[Children in Need]] special, in which the kingdom contains microwaves, hairdryers and mobile phones. See it [http://youtu.be/vJhixrsFO1Y here].

** Arthur was shown lighting candles with matches in "The Darkest Hour". Even though matches are [[Newer Than They Think]], having been invented in 1826, most would know that there were no matches a whole millenium before firearms. Even the predecessor to the match (invented in China in 577 AD) had yet to be thought of. More accurately in those days, flint and steel would have been used to start fires during the night (or a burning glass during the day). The match used isn't even an old fashioned "lucifer", but a modern safety match, which was invented even later, in 1844, a year after [[Older Than They Think|the fax machine was invented]].

* [[Anti-Magical Faction]]: Personified in King Uther.

* [[Anti-Villain]]: Several of the villains in the series. Uther was a genocidal tyrant but he also genuinely loved his children and cared about his people. Morgana, Mordred, and most of the Villains of the Week attack Camelot because of its laws that persecute them.

* [[Army of the Dead]]: Used several times. One time with skeletons, one time with technically undead (the Cup of Life was used to make an army immortal, and they counted as undead), and one time with actual spirits. In the latter case, it wasn't so much an army as a swarm of angry ghosts attacking at random, but the spirit is the same.

* [[Arranged Marriage]] : Usually towards Arthur.

** {{spoiler|Arthur's crowning in 4x03.}}

** {{spoiler|Then Gwen's actually happens in the season finale.}}

* [[Badass Boast]]: In ''Aithusa'', when Gaius' power hungry and traitorous former pupil scoffs at Merlin's assertion that the Dragon's egg should not be used as a tool, Merlin comes up with this gem {{spoiler|just before he blasts him into a wall}}. The [[Oh Crap]] look on the man's face just makes the scene.

{{quote|'''Merlin''': I am the last Dragon Lord. And I am warning you - leave this egg alone.}}

* [[Badass Crew]]: The Knights of the Round Table.

* [[Badass Damsel]]: Guinevere.

** Uther has one, too.

** Tristan wears one that's similar to Arthur's.

** Also, Lancelot. Episode 2x04 might as well have been called "The Lancelot Show."

** Gwaine kicks ass and takes names and he does it with style.

* [[Bad Bad Acting]]: Merlin in episode 3x07 when he finally [[Hint Dropping|takes a hint]] and leaves Arthur alone with Gwen.

{{quote|'''Merlin''': The wolves!}}

* [[Battle Couple]]: Morgause and Cenred, with a little [[Foe Yay]] and [[Belligerent Sexual Tension]] thrown in, although it's averted in 3x12.[[You Have Outlived Your Usefulness|And how.]]

** Tristan and Isolde in 4x13.

* [[Beauty Is Bad]]: With only three exceptions {{spoiler|Gwen, Freya and Elena}}, every single beautiful woman on the show ends up being a villain, or is at least meant to be percieved as unsympathetic.

** Subverted marvellously with Princess Mithian. You'd think they would have made her as unpleasant as possible so Arthur would come and throw himself at Gwen again but she's actually rather nice.

* [[Beauty Mark]]: Gwen, of the nice kind.

* [[Because Destiny Says So]]

* [[Berserk Button]]: Even if you ''are'' an incredibly powerful sorceress, do not try to kill Gaius with magic in front of Merlin. Of the two who have tried so far, one was telekinetically hurled into a pillar at neck-breaking speed, and the other was [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|struck in the face by lightning]].

** It is generally considered a bad idea to harm Morgause in front of Morgana. She doesn't like it. At all.

** Mess with a certain maid-servant and you'll have to deal with her best friend (a powerful warlock), her boyfriend (the crown prince), and a team of the best knights in the land. Best to just leave her be...

** And we can't forget Uther, where magic is concerned.

** It is also generally a bad idea to mess with Hunith, Merlin's mother.

** Also, we cannot forget Arthur when he is called fat and later, actually turns out to be fat!

** Gwen, [[Mama Bear|when Merlin is threatened.]] ''"GET AWAY FROM HIM!!!"''

** A seemingly all-powerful Future Merlin, standing triumphant over her on the field of battle, a staff in hand and a look of utter [[Tranquil Fury]], literally becomes the stuff of nightmares to Morgana in Series 4.

{{quote|'''Morgana''': Help me, Emrys! Please!

* [[Big No]]: {{spoiler|When Gaius dies for Merlin and Merlin rushes to his side only to find him dead ''already'', Merlin says "Nnnnnnoooooo!" twice. Except that Gaius wasn't '''actually''' dead.}}

** Morgana lets out an absolutely humongous one when {{spoiler|Morgause is apparently killed.}} Technically, there are several and she literally brings the house down this time... or should that be 'brings the castle down'?

* [[Bilingual Bonus]]: The spells are in Anglo-Saxon.

* [[Bit Character]]: Geoffrey of Monmouth, who started out as the court genealogist, but who now also serves as [[Mr. Exposition]] whenever Gaius isn't around, and is trotted out whenever the writers need someone to preside over a coronation or wedding. He even seems to be a member of the council, and is the one who backs up Guinevere in ''The Darkest Hour''.

* [[Bittersweet Ending]]: The end of series three. Though {{spoiler|the Knights of the Round Table and Guinevere return to Camelot in triumph, the hug that Arthur and Guinevere share is clearly marked by their sadness over Morgana, and Merlin's smile fades as he watches them, no doubt reminded of Freya.}}

* [[Black and Grey Morality]]: Uther hunts down anyone related to magic, even healers, even children. He's a cruel dictator. Getting rid of him would be a good thing. However the villains trying to kill him, {{spoiler|Morgana and Morgause}}, have some evil tendencies in a [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]] way. They will kill others, but only if they have to to get to Uther or {{spoiler|Arthur}} later.

* [[Bling of War]]: Morgana's "action gear" involves a shiny metal corset of some kind. Unless she were shot directly in the stomach, it's utterly impractical.

* [[Blood on These Hands]]: Uther carries a lot of subconscious guilt for the death of his wife and the innocent lives he's taken in the destruction of magic in the kingdom.

* [[Brainwashed]]: This happens to Arthur in at least three episodes, with the first case bordering near [[Brainwashed and Crazy]]. In the third case, {{spoiler|it's by Merlin}}.

* [[Brainwashed and Crazy]]: In ''A Servant of Two Masters'' in series 4, Merlin {{spoiler|is bewitched by Morgana to kill Arthur, but is thankfully a terrible assassin.}}

** 3x03 Goblins' Gold, which comes after the dramatic two-part series opener where Morgana returns and Camelot is nearly destroyed.

** It doesn't appear again until ''The Changeling'' in series 3.

** Mmm, rat.

** The [[Central Theme]] of Series 4 is [[The Power of Trust]].

* [[Celtic Mythology]]: Season 4 begins on Samhain, [[Truth in Television|traditionaly held as the time when the veil between our world and that of the spirits is at its thinnest]]. It's a night of remembrance for the dead, and a time to take stock and prepare for the coming winter. The [[Blood Magic|blood sacrifices]], not so much.

* [[Changeling Tale]]: Unsurprisingly, "The Changeling", even though they tweak the traditional definition of what a changeling is.

* [[Character Title]]: ''Merlin'', obviously, but also episodes themselves such as ''Lancelot'' and ''Gwaine.''

** The as-yet unnamed Excalibur.

* [[Chekhov's Gunman]]: The fact that Freya was cremated on the waters of the same lake that Merlin threw Excalibur into seems mightily suggestive.

* [[Chickification]]: Gwen in series 2.

** As of 3X07, she's regaining her reputation as a [[Badass Normal]] ({{spoiler|fending off an intruder with a poker, joining the men on their rescue mission, lighting a fire when Arthur cannot}}), whilst still remaining within the boundaries of what a slight young woman would realistically be capable of.

{{quote|'''Gwen''': I ''am'' the blacksmith's daughter, remember?}}

** And then, Gwen defends Merlin against an enemy. Morgana and Gwen also have a great swordfight a season later.

* [[Childhood Friends]]: Merlin and Will.

** And the shapeshifting magic used by the bad guys in "Gwaine."

* [[Colour-Coded for Your Convenience]]: Arthur and Merlin wear red and blue. As of series 4, the bad guys wear black. Guinevere is steadily making her way through every shade of pastel that the costume designer can come up with.

** And when she's just being [[Obviously Evil]], she wears [[Lady in Red|red]]. Lots and lots of red. As of Series 4, her makeup has been gothed up a bit.

** There might be a bit of [[Foreshadowing]] and [[Fridge Brilliance]] in the use of [[Purple Is Powerful|purple]], [[Color-Coded Patrician|the royal colour]], in some [[Graceful Ladies Like Purple|female characters]]. In the first series, Morgana has a few [http://www.farfarawaysite.com/merlin/season1/promo/1000/morgana/hires/24.jpg purple] [http://www.farfarawaysite.com/merlin/season1/promo/1000/morgana/hires/6.jpg dresses], with only the first one appearing briefly in Series 2 (as she drifts further apart from the crown). In Series 3 she has [http://www.farfarawaysite.com/merlin/season3/promo/3013/episode/hires/67.jpg another one], which could indicate her intentions to get the throne. Then we have Gwen, whose [http://www.farfarawaysite.com/merlin/season2/promo/2000/gwen/hires/46.jpg first purple dress] appears in Series 2, when she starts having some scenes about the possibility of being queen. In Series 4 she has [http://www.farfarawaysite.com/merlin/season4/promo/4000/maincast/hires/26.jpg another one], but the best example is her [http://www.farfarawaysite.com/merlin/season4/promo/4013/episode/hires/34.jpg Queen gown], which is bluish-purple. A possible example would be Freya, since the dress Merlin gets for her is a purple one of Morgana's , and that is the dress Freya wears when she becomes the [[Supernatural Is Purple|Lady of the Lake]]. Both Gwen and Freya wearing one of Morgana's dresses in Series 2 might be another sign showing that, whether Morgana ever had royal qualities or not, she's losing them, while Gwen and Freya are gaining them.

* [[Combat Pragmatist]]: Merlin repeatedly uses magic to gain an advantage by turning the things around him against his opponent.

* [[Comic Relief]]: Merlin, Gwaine.

* [[Comforting Comforter]]: A variation of this at the end of series two. When all of Camelot is put under a sleeping spell, Arthur picks up Guinevere from the floor and places her on a bed.

* [[Composite Character|Composite Object]]: As with many modern retellings, Excalibur is combined with the Sword in the Stone (the oldest versions of the tale describe them as two very distinct swords - when Arthur breaks the latter in battle, he gains the former from the Lady of the Lake).

* [[Cool Old Guy]]: Gaius.

* [[Cool Sword]]: [[Excalibur|The most iconic ever.]]

* [[Costume Porn]]: Morgana's entire wardrobe, including dresses that wouldn't look too out of place at a cocktail party, as well as the gowns of various ladies and princesses that turn up throughout the series. However, nothing yet compares with the sight of Guinevere's {{spoiler|[http://oi52.tinypic.com/1055w5c.jpg coronation gown]}}.

* [[Cradling Your Kill]]: Merlin with {{spoiler|Morgana's body in 2x12.}}

* [[Crazy Jealous Guy]]: Arthur in 4x09 when he {{spoiler|when he walks in on Gwen and Lancelot making out. His first instinct is to [[Murder the Hypotenuse|try and kill the guy who had been one of his most loyal knights]] and had shown him mercy in the tournament earlier. And then by the end of the episode, he banishes Gwen from Camelot.}} Kind of shocking coming from a guy who, while brash, is usually compassionate and understanding.

* [[Crazy Prepared]]: Myror just ''happened'' to be carrying a retractible needle-tipped lance along with him.

* [[Creepy Child]]: Mordred. Also, a hallucination Uther suffers at the beginning of Series 3.

** Series 4. The opening episode alone might be darker than the previous three series put together.

* [[Death Glare]]: {{spoiler|Merlin and Morgana}} spend a lot of series three doing this to each other.

** The same applies to Morgana. [[Depending on the Writer]] she fluctuates from being a fighter in her own right (1x10), to being held with a knife to her throat (2x7), though this may be due to her costuming--it's much, ''much'' harder to fight in a royal gown than in trousers.

* [[Death by Childbirth]]: Igraine, Arthur's mother.

* [[December-December Romance]] / [[New Old Flame]]: Alice and Gaius, as shown in ''Love In The Time Of Dragons''.

* [[Defrosting Ice Queen]]: Morgana seems to be heading this way {{spoiler|[[Averted Trope|and then heads all the way back.]]}}

* [[Deliberately Cute Child]]: Mordred. Or Deliberate Woobie. This troper firmly believes the big blue puppy-eyes and the woefulness was put on to convince the Power Quartet to help him.

* [[Demoted to Extra]]: Gaius in series four, who only has one episode that centers on him, and for the most part is just used for exposition.

* [[Disguised in Drag]]: Sir Leon in episode 3x13. Yes, really. {{spoiler|Gwen dresses him up to escape Camelot}}

* [[Disney Villain Death]]: {{spoiler|Aredian the witchfinder.}}

** {{spoiler|Uther wanted an heir but his wife was barren. Nimueh cured his wife's sterility but to keep the balance of life and death she died in childbirth}} and for this Uther has mounted a genocidal campaign against ''all'' magic users. Particularly disproportionate if [[Unreliable Narrator|Nimueh]] is telling the truth that {{spoiler|she didn't know it would be Ygraine that would die}}

** We also have the episode where Arthur killed a unicorn and the keeper of the unicorns cursed Camelot. All the crops rotted overnight and all the water turned to sand.

** No mention of "The Lady of the Lake" when {{spoiler|a sorceress cursed Freya to turn into a bloodthirsty, killing Bastet every night for accidentally killing said sorceress's son in self-defense}}?

* [[Doctor's Orders]]: Gaius gives Uther orders.

* [[Does This Remind You of Anything?]]: Happens more often than you'd think. Sometimes stumbles into [[Ho Yay]].

** Also [[Les Yay]]. Morgana and Morgause seem ''very close'', particularly with Morgause's repeated, creepy hissing "Sssissster."

** In 3x09 that Manticore was a little too pleased with being milked.

* [[Double Entendre]]: Cenred does not only think with his "sword".

* [[Dragon Rider]]: Merlin gets to have a shot early in Series 3.

** And then again in the final episode of the same series.

* [[The Dreaded]]: By Series 4, Merlin literally becomes the stuff of nightmares towards {{spoiler|Morgana}}.

* [[Dressing as the Enemy]]: In 2x04, Merlin and Arthur disguise themselves as two of Hengist's thugs to rescue Gwen.

* [[Dude, Not Funny]]: [[In-Universe]]. Merlin's reaction in 4x10 when the Knights make fun of his warnings about the Druid Shrine being cursed.

* [[Empathic Environment]]: In 2x09, it´s raining {{spoiler|as Freya dies}}.

* [[Enfante Terrible]]: {{spoiler|Mordred}}

* [[Esoteric Motifs]]

* [[Evasive Fight Thread Episode]]: Arthur has won in combat against practically everyone...but never decisively against [[The Rival|Lancelot]]. Even in 4x09, he needed magical help from Merlin in order to overcome him.

{{quote|Every woman in the land is attracted to this boy- I'm almost attracted to him myself.}}

* [[Everything's Better with Princesses]]: Curiously averted (for the time being).

** Morgana has been the legal ward of King Uther since early childhood but apparently has not been granted the title of princess, as she is always addressed as the Lady Morgana. In Series 2, Vivian is the daughter of a king (as was {{spoiler|[[All Trolls Are Different|the real "Lady Catrina"]]}}) but both are also known as Lady rather than Princess.

** Series three features a Princess Elena, but she turns out not to be your typical princess - {{spoiler|She's possessed by a Sidhe, which makes her very clumsy and gives her disgusting personal habits.}}

* [[Evil Makeover]]: As of series four, {{spoiler|Morgana}} wears [[Woman in Black|a black dress]] and green eye-shadow.

* [[Evil Versus Evil]]: Uther Pendragon vs Nimueh and other Villains.

* [[Expecting Someone Taller|Expecting Someone Shorter]]: After identifying Arthur as 'Courage', Grettir tells him "you´re not as short as I thought you´d be."

** The Cup of Life is clearly the Holy Grail.

* [[Eyes of Gold]]: Merlin when he uses magic. Also {{spoiler|Morgana}} and {{spoiler|Morgause, though hers are a different, rather more evil-looking, shade.}} This seems to be a common trait among magical creatures: the Dragon and the Manticore have them as well.

* [[Flanderization]]: Merlin used to be quite good at hiding his magical abilities by rationalizing (or completely avoiding) the odd situations he often found himself in because of them. Nowadays not an episode will go by that doesn't have Merlin getting caught in compromising positions ([[Ho Yay|usually with a dose of subtext]]), and having to explain himself with increasingly bizarre excuses. By this stage, Arthur thinks that he's a weak-bladdered cross-dresser who prowls around the castle at night, is obsessed with pest infestations, and has serious mental problems.

* [[Flirty Stepsiblings]] : Arthur and Morgana in series 1. Abandoned in series 2, leading to [[The Reveal|the revelation that]] {{spoiler|they actually share a father, which retroactively gives their banter shades of [[Brother-Sister Incest]]}}.

* [[Foil]]: Morgana to Merlin in series three, described by the dragon as "the shadow to your light, the hate to your love."

** Gwen to Morgana. It's similar to the situation with Lancelot and Arthur: she usually makes both Morgana's faults and virtues come to light .This is specially noticeable in 1x12 (while Gwen refuses to get revenge on Uther for killing her father, Morgana tries to have him assassinated; but Gwen's situation also highlights Morgana's compassion and friendship with her) and for the whole of Series three, with the obvious good girl/bad girl dynamics and both their Coronation Scenes in [[Light Is Good|3x10]] and [[Dark Is Evil|3x12]].

* [[Foregone Conclusion]]: {{spoiler|Morgana and Mordred}} becoming evil.

* [[Foreshadowing]]: At the conclusion of 1X08, Arthur asks the young Druid boy for his name and is told: " {{spoiler|My name is Mordred.}}" A strange, somewhat uneasy look comes over Arthur's face as the boy is lead away; all history fans who knows what Mordred is to become scream in horro. But the onimous chanting and drum-beats are just overkill.

** Also, in the first episode, Gaius mentions Morgana's nightmares; in ''Valiant'', she gives Arthur a very heartfelt warning before the tournament. A few episodes later, it's revealed that she's a seer and has been dreaming about the future. (The first example may also qualify as a [[Brick Joke]] - at the time it seemed like the sleeping draft was just a lead-in to an awkward comedy scene).

* [[Friendship Moment]]: all the time between the main four, especially Merlin and Arthur.

* [[Functional Magic]]: Definitely Rule Magic and Device Magic and possibly also Inherent Gift, at least with Merlin himself (Gaius is astonished at Merlin performing magic without having been taught).

* [[Genius Ditz]]: Merlin abilities come from simple instinct, not years of patient study.

{{quote|'''Merlin''': I could move objects like that before I could even ''talk''.}}

* [[Go Out with a Smile]]: Lancelot ''almost'' achieves this when he faces death with the knowledge that Guinevere has escaped - up until he realizes that she's been recaptured. But then Arthur saves them both anyway.

** In 4x02, {{spoiler|Lancelot does it again when he sacrifices himself to close the veil.}}

* [[God Save Us From the Queen]]: Morgana, the last two eps of season 3. And season 4.

* [[Good Is Not Dumb]]: Arthur. Even if he does not believe Merlin's warnings in Series 4 that [[Villain with Good Publicity|Agravaine is a villain]], he nonetheless will ''still'' investigate the validity of the claims before reprimanding Merlin for accusing his Uncle of treachery.

* [[Go to Your Room]]: Uther to Morgana in 2x10.

{{quote|"You will go to your chambers!"}}

* [[Grey and Grey Morality]]: Dips into this a bit. If we didn't know Arthur was going to be a the greatest king ever, and that killing Uther would impede that then we would probably be cheering for the magicians.

** Also some magicians want to kill Arthur as well.

* [[The Guards Must Be Crazy]]: The guards are frequently distracted by objects that not only fall over for no reason, but then proceed to start moving ''under their own power''. The fact that the doors then often magically shut behind them also seems to go unnoticed.

* [[Hair of Gold]]: Oh Arthur...

* [[Have You Tried Not Being a Monster?]]

* [[Horrible Judge of Character]]: Uther. Among other things, he's chummied up to a knight who was trying to kill his son, invited two murderous Sidhe into his castle, married a troll, flirted with a shape-shifting witch, indulged the whims of a con-artist witchfinder, hired a man who tried to kill him to avenge his parents' deaths, and (in the third series) doted on the young woman who was hell-bent on destroying him and taking over his kingdom. It goes both ways, as he's also banished both Gwaine and Lancelot, two accomplished and loyal knights, and is constantly belittling, alienating or even trying to execute Merlin and Guinevere, the two people in the world who would give their lives for his son without a second thought.

* [[Hot Shounen Mom]]: Hunith, Merlin's mom. And, in series two, Ygraine Pendragon.

** As well as Percival and Lamia in 4x08.

* [[Hypocrite]]: Uther, oh so much, in his attitude towards magic. After {{spoiler|enlisting the help of a sorcress in order for his barren wife to conceive}}, he set about killing and terrorising everyone who practised sorcery (even those who did so for perfectly innocent reasons) even though [[Never My Fault|he had no one to blame for his wife's death except himself]]. The real kicker is when Morgana gets sick in series 3, and he actually coerces Gaius into using magic to save her. You'd think this act of blatant hypocrisy would make him decide to ease up on the sorcerers a bit from then on, but you'd be wrong...

* [[I'll Pretend I Didn't Hear That]]: In The Secret Sharer.

* [[Immortality]]: Morgause creates an army of immortals by dripping soldiers' blood into the Cup of Life. However, this also gives her the ability to control them.

* [[Info Dump]]: Uther's speech on the balcony in the first episode. He's been king for twenty years? Check. There's a dragon under the castle? Check. Magic is outlawed? Check. Thanks writers!

* [[Informed Ability]]: Uther's ability to stamp out or indeed recognize magic in his kingdom. Basically, he can be as competent at this in the backstory as the writers need him to be, and as incompetent at it in the present as the writers need him to be.

** Though as Bradley James has pointed out on more than one occasion, there only seem to be a total of ''two'' women in Camelot, one of which is his sister. As of series 4, this has been whittled down to ''one''.

* [[Inter Class Romance]]: Gwen (poor servant) and Arthur (rich royalty).

* [[I Owe You My Life]]: Merlin´s main reason to help Lancelot become a knight.

* [[Ironic Name]]: The villain called Valiant used underhanded tactics to cheat in a tournament.

* [[It's Quiet... Too Quiet]]: Arthur to Merlin in the forest in episode 3x12.

* [[I Want My Beloved to Be Happy]]: Lancelot, upon seeing that Gwen and Arthur are close, decides to not get in the way of their relationship.

* [[Just Eat Gilligan]]: So many of the problems on the show could be solved if Merlin would just let one of the ''many'' people who want to kill Uther succeed, putting Arthur on the throne and allowing him to become the great king he's supposed to be. But this never happens only because of Merlin is a [[Technical Pacifist]].

** But if Uther were killed by magic, Arthur would likely become just as fanatically anti-magic as his father when he gains the throne. The Dragon says as much in ''Sorcerer's Shadow''. {{spoiler|And it finally happens in 4x03.}}

* [[Just Friends]]: Merlin was teased with Gwen by Morgana in 1x03 and Lancelot in 1x05 because of Gwen's obvious crush on him and Merlin's semi-obliviousness to it. When Merlin secretly helps Morgana in 2x03 {{spoiler|when she discovers that she is a seer}}, Arthur is under the belief that Merlin is in love with Morgana and warns him Uther would have his head for it.

* [[Kill It with Fire]]: Or rather, drive it off with fire. The flying ghost skull Dorocha can pass through solid matter and are totally immune to harm. They even negate magic. Fire, however, disperses them for a while.

* [[King Arthur]]: Or rather Prince Arthur.

** {{spoiler|As of 4x03, King Arthur.}}

** {{spoiler|Lancelot and Gunivere in Lancelot du Lac}}

* [[Knighting]]: Happens quite often, usually by Uther, but most notably by Arthur in "The Coming of Arthur" when he does this to the new knights of the Round Table.

* [[Knight Templar]]: Uther, at least in regards to magic.

* [[The Lady's Favour]]: Gwen gives Arthur a handkerchief for him to wear during a tournament, for luck.

** As does Morgana for Sir Owain in his fight against the undead Tristan.

** {{spoiler|As of ''Aithusa'', Kilgarrah is no longer the Last Dragon}}.

* [[Let Them Die Happy]]: Merlin brings {{spoiler|Freya to the lake so that she dies in a place similar to her home}}.

* [[Let Us Never Speak of This Again]]: Gaius insists on this to Merlin when forced to romance a troll.

** Don't forget [[Romantic Two-Girl Friendship|Gwen and Morgana]].

* [[Like a Son to Me]]: Gaius sees Merlin more of a son {{spoiler|than his nephew}}.

** Gwen and Merlin's relationship is like this. (At least, ever since the peculiar about turn in the series 1-2 transition saw the previously hinted Merlin/Gwen relationship effectively killed.)

** Arthur and Morgana are put into this in Series 2. According to [[Word of God|Bradley James]], the reason why they put a halt to [[Slap Slap Kiss|Arthur/Morgana]] was to not get the impression of [[Brother-Sister Incest]] (since she is like his [[Flirty Stepsiblings|sister-in-law]]), and because they wanted to start the [[Strangled by the Red String|Arthur/Gwen romance]].

* [[Lip-Lock Sun-Block]]: Arthur and Gwen's first kiss.

* [[Literary Agent Hypothesis]]: With the court genealogist Geoffrey of Monmouth; the real Geoffrey of Monmouth was a 12th-century bishop who named the character of Merlin, and was one of the earliest writers of tales of King Arthur and his father Uther, along with a whole host of other legendary British kings.

* [[Long Lost Sibling]]: Gwen's brother Elyan.

** And in a way, Morgause to Morgana.

* [[Love Triangle]]: Gwen, Arthur and Lancelot: [[Triang Relations]] Type 1.

* [[Loveable Rogue]]: Gwaine. Also doubles as the [[Plucky Comic Relief]] / [[The Prankster]] of the Knights.

* [[Luke, I Am Your Father]]: {{spoiler|Uther and Morgana.}}

* [[Magic Knight]]: Merlin apparently has been taking fencing lessons from Arthur, by series 3 he seems to use sword and sorcerery equally well together to take down his enemies.

* [[Magnetic Hero]]: Merlin is definitely this. He repeatedly befriends everyone, no matter their standing.

* [[The Magic Comes Back]]: Merlin's ultimate goal for Camelot.

* [[Man Hug]]: Sadly, [[Rule of Funny|but hilariously]] subverted by Arthur at the end of 2x06.

** But thankfully, played straight with Merlin and Gwaine in 3x08.

** Also one between Uther and Godwyn in 3x06.

** And {{spoiler|''finally'' one between Arthur and Merlin in 4x06. And it was Arthur who went for it, no less.}}

* [[Mauve Shirt]]: Sir Leon. {{spoiler|Admit it, when they said he was dead at the beginning of 3x12, you actually believed it.}}

* [[May-December Romance]]: Implied between Uther and Catrina.

** A deleted scene from series four has Agravaine confessing his love for Morgana.

* [[Meaningful Name]] {{spoiler|the name that Merlin bestows upon the baby dragon turns out to mean 'Light of the Sun' in dragon-speech.}}

* [[Merlin Sickness]]: Averted, Merlin doesn't have it in this version.

** Although it's hinted that Taliesin might. Though it might be his close proximity to the crystal caves, he also makes several pointed remarks about time and memory that suggest he's intimately aware of the future.

* [[Missing Trailer Scene]]: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRiEJnU3lZY&feature=related In the official trailer for series three], there is a scene with Uther and Arthur embracing while wearing their crowns. It doesn't appear in any episode or deleted scene.

* [[Mistaken for Cheating]]: Gwen

* [[Mix and Match Critter]]: Naturally includes a few of the traditional mythological ones. Arthur also makes one up to find an excuse to leave the castle, simply by listing random animal bits as he thinks of them.

{{quote|"It is said to have the body of a lion, the wings of an eagle ...and the ...face of a bear." }}

* [[Moment Killer]]: Poor Arthur and Gwen have to suffer through dozens of these. Possibly the most hilarious was when a quiet moment between them at Gwen's house is interrupted by Merlin crashing through the door and shouting: "There's an assassin in Camelot trying to kill you!" The WTF expression on their faces is priceless.

* [[Monster of the Week]]

* [[Monster Vision]]: In 2x09, {{spoiler|right before the Bastet kills the couple and the guards, we see the scene through its eyes}}.

** Done deliberately in ''Queen of Hearts''. At first, Uther thinks it's hilarious that Arthur has been making out with a serving girl in the woods (and gives him a congratulatory pat on the back because of it), but he soon turns nasty on realizing that his son is serious about Gwen and ends up banishing her from Camelot in the very same scene. In fact, the entire episode is made of this trope considering Arthur and Gwen go from loafing about in the sun to having Uther accuse Gwen of witchcraft and ordering that she [[Burn the Witch|be burnt at the stake]] in the space of a day.

** Also in ''Excalibur''. It goes from lighthearted banter between Gwen and Merlin about washing Arthur's socks to a freaking undead knight bursting through the window.

** ''The Witchfinder''has a terrifying scene where the Witchfinder in question tells Uther that there is a sorcerer in the room. The music is chilling, a [[Woobie, Destroyer of Worlds|still sympathetic Morgana]] looks petrified and then he points at our hero and [[Burn the Witch|accuses him of using magic.]] And then music stops and you have Arthur's reaction.

{{quote|'''Arthur:''' *with a look on his face of pure skepticism* ''Mer''-lin. You ''can't'' be serious.}}

* [[Mr. Fanservice]]: Bradley James' (Arthur's) shirt collar becomes progressively more open with each episode. Episode one? Could barely see his clavicle. Episode 9? A good third of his (admittedly quite nice) chest is exposed. The first episode of series 2 is reliably following this pattern, with ''multiple'' shots of Arthur bare-chested and then the [[Fan Service|bath scene]].

** In the cast commentary of the series 2 premiere, Bradley and Colin count the number of times Bradley appears shirtless. Apparently he needs to be shirtless to put a key in the drawer.

**** And then for every episode since. (Except 3x04, "Gwaine" - in this one, Gwaine gets plenty instead.)

** Cenred wears awfully tight leather.

* [[Ms. Fanservice]]: Nimueh and Morgana.

** The frequently shown long, rectangular table (which always has Uther sitting at its head) is also an allusion to the Round Table. They contrast the tyranny and elitism of Uther with the fairness and equality of Arthur's future reign.

** Arthur's and Morgana's flirty reletionship in Series 1 is possibly a referance to how in some of the myths Morgana drugged Arthur into sleeping with her so she could concieve a child with a right to the throne.

* [[Names to Run Away From Really Fast]]: Lamia. Anyone whose name has "Mor" as its first syllable.

* [[The Needs of the Many]]: A [[Central Theme]]. Uther and Merlin will usually adhere to this line of thinking; Arthur will usually chose his friends, family, or personal honour over the greater good (so far it's worked out for him).

* [[New Powers as the Plot Demands]]: Merlin, although since he's unsure of even his own powers, its justified that he can get away with this.

* [[Nice Guy]]: Merlin is this.

* [[Nice Job Breaking It, Hero]]: {{spoiler|Freeing the dragon is not Merlin's best idea ever.}} Merlin's treatment of {{spoiler|Morgana and Mordred is a contributing cause of her [[Face Heel Turn]] and his [[Start of Darkness]].}} To some extent perhaps, {{spoiler|Merlin trying to heal Uther - even though Uther's death isn't his fault, Merlin/Dragoon's price to gain peace for the magic-users may be lost.}}

** Works to Merlin's benefit {{spoiler|when lifting the dragon's egg causes the tower in which it was hidden to collapse.}} Evokes a [[No One Could Survive That|Nothing Could Survive That]] from one of the knights.

** Uther's crusade against all magic only seems to create more enemies than it eliminates. By killing all the minnows in the pond, he's effectively left the sharks. And they are clearly ''not'' happy.

* [[Noble Demon]]: Uther might be a genocidal tyrant but he's also a loving parent and a brave warrior who will put himself in harm's way to protect his kingdom.

* [[Not Even Bothering with the Accent]]: Katie McGrath's native South County Dublin accent. Interestingly the accent is so unfamiliar outside of Ireland that some fans assumed it was a deliberate move to highlight Morgana's mysterious past.

* [[The Not Love Interest]]: Merlin and Arthur.

** Morgana and Morgause.

* [[Not That There's Anything Wrong with That]]: A variant. Agravaine is quick to say that he personally has no problem with Arthur's relationship with a servant when he advises him to break things off with Gwen.

* [[Now Let Me Carry You]]: Mordred is glad to take care of an injured Morgana, in thanks for her previously caring for him.

* [[Obfuscating Stupidity]]: Deconstructed. All the characters who aren't Lancelot, Gaius, or Gwen seem utterly convinced Merlin's a moron. Merlin is occasionally bumbling and clueless, but since he keeps his more deductive, perceptive, and wiser side hidden from the other characters, when it shines through they acknowledge it then immediately forget it. You'd think that since he's ''always right'', someone would catch on, but [[Status Quo Is God]].

* [[Older and Wiser]]: The changing of the [[Opening Narration]] in Series 4, a subtle indication that the Great Dragon considers Merlin as a young man, rather than a "boy".

* [[Ominous Latin Chanting]]: So far, the second series breaks into this at the slightest provocation.

{{quote|'''Gwen''': What is it, Arthur? You look like you have something on your mind.

'''Arthur''': You read me like a book. I've made a fool of myself, that's all. That's everything.

* [[Our Trolls Are Different]]: Green skinned, greedy and love to eat rotting fruit and vegetables. Able to use potions to take on human form and enchant humans.

* [[Out of Order]]: 3X08 ("The Eye of the Phoenix") and 3X10 ("Queen of Hearts") were switched around in order to boost ratings, which did some pretty serious continuity damage to Morgana and Guinevere's relationship. And ironically, "Queen of Hearts" ended up being the highest rated episode thus far.

* [[Overly Long Tongue]]: Grunhilda in "The Changeling". [[Squick|Ew.]]

* [[Parental Abandonment]]: None of the four main characters has a complete set of parents: Arthur, Morgana and Gwen have all definitely lost a parent. The status of Gwen and Morgana's mothers remains unknown, but they are presumably also dead. Merlin's father {{spoiler|is not a straight-up example as he was forced to abandon Hunith to flee from Uther before he even knew that she was pregnant, and thus has no idea that he has a son. Then he died when Merlin finally met him.}}

*** Which is Morgana's view, but probably shouldn't be anyone's else's. {{spoiler|Her father dotes on her in not just "I'm giving you riches, be nice", but actually and very willingly spends a lot of time with her; he even spends a whole year having the kingdom searched and sacrificing a lot of men to retrieve her, he also listens to her advices, something he's not always done for Arthur, and while he has on occasions "punished" her for standing up to him, he has also acknowledged that this standing-up to him is vital to him running a fair and just kingdom. Plus, it's not like Arthur hates or even dislikes her, and like the prince would throw her out had he the chance.}} In short, Morgana is literally living like a princess and she is set for a life as such, but she's ready to kill {{spoiler|her father}} because he won't jeopardize his position (and hers, as been pointed in the [[Succession Crisis]] entry below ). {{spoiler|Yes, Uther is a hypocritical tyrant on many levels, but while his treatment of magical people or even of Morgana's "father" (Gorlois) are very slow in turning her against him, as soon as he declines recognising her as his daughter, she immediately tries to kill him.}} Spoiled child's tantrum, much?

* [[Parental Favouritism]]: Played with, for either Arthur ''or'' Morgana could be described as Uther's favourite. Although Arthur is considered the most important of Uther's children (being the heir to the throne), Uther excessively dotes on Morgana and gives her far more leeway than he does Arthur. In light of recent events, this has come back to [[Hoist by His Own Petard|bite Uther]] in more than one way.

* [[Patricide]]: {{spoiler|Morgana has a definite hand in finally killing Uther}}.

* [[Pet the Dog]]: Sophia and her father come across as standard villains, but at the conclusion of the episode there is a surprisingly touching scene in which Sophia's father gives up his immortality in order to secure his daughter's.

* [[Phrase Catcher]]: "When you are king, things will be different" to Arthur.

* [[Please Spare Him, My Liege]]: Happens often to Uther, most heartbreakingly when Arthur begs for Guinevere's life after Uther has her pegged as a witch.

** This is not necessarily true, as there have been black people in Britain since the Romans conquered it, and southern Europeans tend to be darker than those in the north (in reference to Lancelot, not Gwen).

* [[Poison Is Evil]]: [[Inverted]], as it is first the heroic Merlin who uses it for morally-dubious means (killing Morgana in order to break a fatal spell upon Camelot). Later Morgana plays this trope straight when it comes to killing a man who would have otherwise been able to identify her as the traitor.

* [[Poisoned Chalice Switcheroo]]: Arthur does this to Merlin. However, he did it to ensure that Merlin wouldn't get the poison and that he would, to save his friend's life.

** Lancelot was not able to keep his promise to Guinevere that he would rescue her from Hengist's fortress. Though he tries his best, it is Arthur who save her. This leads to Lancelot's decision to leave in the middle of the night, feeling himself unworthy.

** Arthur broke his promise to Guinevere that her home was hers for life when he {{spoiler|banished her from Camelot}}. Yes, there were mitigating circumstances, but the promise was still broken.

** Arthur's [[Protectorate]] is Camelot and its people.

* [[Public Domain Artifact]]: Excalibur in the episode of that name. Also, who wants to bet that {{spoiler|the Cup of Life in "Le Morte d'Arthur" is actually the Holy Grail?}}

** We've now also seen the Round Table.

* [[Put on a Bus]]: Unfortunately, Asa Butterfield (Mordred) won't be in Series 3 because of scheduled filming conflicts. {{spoiler|Also doesn't appear in Series 4, but is rumoured for Series 5.}}

* [[Raven Hair, Ivory Skin]]: Merlin and Morgana.

* [[Really Seven Hundred Years Old]]: Nimueh. Her actual age is unknown but she is clearly at least a generation older than she looks.

* [[Rebellious Princess]]: Deconstructed with Elena in 3x06.

* [[Red Shirt]]: Rather literally, in regard to the various knights and guards of Camelot.

** [[Redshirt Army]]: How many times have we seen knights get killed? Geez.

** Also averted in Series 4 with the Arthur and Merlin relationship. Arthur finally calls Merlin his friend, admits he's right, seeks out his advice and even goes as far as to investigate whether {{spoiler|[[Devil in Plain Sight]] Agravaine is betraying him}} purely because he knows that Merlin would not defy him unless the situation was grave. When he ''does'' treat him as a stupid manservant in A Herald of the New Age, it's clearly demonstrated as being out of character.

* [[Revenge Before Reason]]: Uther.

* [[Rodents of Unusual Size]]: The Wildren.

* [[Romance on the Set]]: Bradley James is dating Georgia King (Elena).

* [[Romantic Two-Girl Friendship]]: Gwen and Morgana, at first. Becomes Morgana and Morgause, though they're half-sisters.

* [[Royal Brat]]: Both Arthur and Morgana have their moments...

* [[Royals Who Actually Do Something]]: Arthur commands Camelot's military forces in addition to being prince.

* [[Rule of Funny]]: Why Merlin doesn't use magic while trying to kill Arthur in "A Servant of Two Masters."

** It looks like Gwen's headed for one in 3x07, where she must choose to save the life of either Arthur or {{spoiler|her estranged brother Elyan. This is instantly nipped in the bud when she tells Arthur of the deal.}}

* [[Sadly Mythtaken]]: The show takes several, uh, liberties with traditional Arthurian legend. It also sometimes uses less familiar versions of the legend (preferring Monmouth to Mallory). [[Your Mileage May Vary]].

** By the end of the third series, the characters and their storylines are headed toward their familiar legendary roles.

* [[Samus Is a Girl]]: {{spoiler|Morgause, who waltzes into Camelot, kills five guards, enters the Great Hall, [[Throwing Down the Gauntlet|challenges Arthur to a duel]] which he accepts, ''then'' removes her helmet. ''Win''.}}.

* [[Secret Keeper]]: Outside Merlin's village, the only two people who know his secret (thus far) are Gaius and Lancelot.

** For a long time, the only people who knew about Morgana's prophetic dreams were Gwen, Gaius and Merlin. That now includes Morgause, and possibly the men under her command.

* [[Secret Test of Character]]: After Arthur had killed a unicorn, the keeper of the unicorns tested him on a few occasions, to see if he was pure-hearted. The first test was seeing if he would let a thief who was stealing food go, despite the rules. The second test was if he would forgive the thief, after he found out that the thief had stolen more than enough food. The third test was to see whether Arthur would sacrifice himself for Merlin, by taking the poison.

* [[Self-Fulfilling Prophecy]]: Morgana {{spoiler|turning against Camelot seems to be one of these. The Dragon warns Merlin about her turning evil, and as a result Merlin drives her away.}}

** Merlin's attempts to {{spoiler|prevent the potential future which he has seen in ''The Crystal Cave'' lead to this.}}

*** Before this, the worst he did was to steal a stone. Yes, this is right : [[Value Dissonance|the protagonist assaulted an innocent child, and we are supposed to consider his vengeful look and promise to get revenge and his previous defense against AxCrazy knights as the proof of an evil and grudge-holding nature]] !

* [[Sensitive Guy and Manly Man]]: Merlin and Arthur.

* [[She Cleans Up Nicely]]: Elena, especially when that {{spoiler|sidhe was removed from inside her.}}

** Guinevere in the {{spoiler|dream sequence of her coronation}}. Wowza. And in {{spoiler|her actual coronation.}}

* [[Ship Tease]]: Arthur/Gwen, Gwen/Merlin, Merlin/Arthur, Morgana/Merlin, Gwen/Morgana, Arthur/Morgana, Arthur/Lancelot, Merlin/Lancelot: pretty much any way you want to pair things, so far.

** A lot of the reason the show has such a harmonious fandom is that there is subtext for every ''possible'' ship. [[Squick|Even]] the [[Incest Is Relative|incestuous]] and [[May-December Romance|huge-age-differenced]] ones. And the show ''knows'' this. Many, many fans simply ship the main four characters (Merlin, Arthur, Gwen and Morgana) as "one big OT4 orgy".

*** Thus far we have had [[Shirtless Scene|Shirtless Scenes]] from Merlin, Arthur, Gwaine, Uther, Leon, and that random shape-shifting bad guy in "Gwaine". Yet to whip their shirts off are Lancelot, Elyan and Percival. Why yes, we are keeping careful track. Percival ''does'' walk about with his biceps on full display when the rest of the knights have sleeves on their hauberks, so it's surely only a matter of time.

** In 4x07, Agravaine gets one, too.

** Which is in turn oddly similar to the helmet from [[wikipedia:Sutton Hoo|Sutton Hoo]].

** Several episodes are named after famous Arthurian texts: "Le Morte d'Arthur" is named after Sir [[Le Morte d'Arthur|Thomas Malory]]'s compilation of Arthurian tales, ''The Once and Future Queen'' is a play on T.H. White's ''[[The Once and Future King]]'', ''The Coming of Arthur'' is the first chapter/poem in Tennyson's ''Idylls of the King'' (as well as a chapter title in Roger Lancelyn Green's more contemporary retelling of the legend) and ''The Wicked Day'' is a quote from Malory's ''[[Le Morte d'Arthur|Le Morte Darthur]]'', as well as the title of the fourth book in Mary Stewart's ''Merlin'' series.

** In "His Father's Son", two armies meet on the battlefield and each send out a champion, one of which is much larger than the other. Sounds a lot like the story of [[David Versus Goliath|David and Goliath]] in [[The Bible]].

* [[Shown Their Work]]: Merlin's magic incantations are [[wikipedia:Middle Welsh|Middle Welsh]], written for the show by the Welsh department at [[wikipedia:Aberystwyth University|Aberystwyth University]], Wales.

** And Arthur & Merlin...

* [[Sibling Team]]: Morgana and Morgause.

* [[Smug Snake]]: Morgana.

* [[So Happy Together]]: In ''Lady Of The Lake'', Freya and Merlin are planning to leave Camelot that same night, they share a kiss, Merlin leaves with a big smile on his face...and then we find out Freya is going to [[Break His Heart to Save Him|escape without him to keep him from losing the good life he has.]] ''Ouch''.

* [[Spit Take]]: "Not every master treats his servants as well as Arthur does, Merlin."

* [[Squishy Wizard]]:

* [[Status Quo Is God]]: Oh so very much. Whenever anything looks like it's going to change, the writters just hit the old [[Reset Button]].

** Although a bit less these days.

* [[Star-Crossed Lovers]]: Gwen and Lancelot. Also pretty much everyone else, eventually, I expect.

* [[The Starscream]]: Morgana beginning in Series 3 becomes this to Uther.

* [[Stealth Pun]]: Uther has a penned dragon, the smith is black.

** Gwen's even-darker-skinned brother is named Elyan. As in, the Arthurian character Elyan the White?

* [[Stripperiffic]]: The bizarrely slashed up dress aside, just take a look at those platform heel sandals of Nimueh's that lace up to her knees...

* [[Sure, Let's Go with That]]: Between Merlin and Morgana, back in series one when she tells him that she "knows his secret." Wrong secret, dear.

* [[Sword and Sorcery]]: Merlin and Arthur. Although Arthur doesn't know it.

* [[Subordinate Excuse]]: Despite Arthur's claims that Merlin is the worst servant he's ever has, there's no real indication that he's willing to replace him with someone else...

** Could also count for [[Suspiciously Specific Denial]], since [[Real Men Dont Like Affection]].

*** {{spoiler|Morgause and Morgana simpy plan to kill Arthur, because they think that, with only one child left, Uther would "no" choice but no make Morgana his crowned heir: after all, we are shown that it's not a simple matter of lineage, as Arthar has to be made official heir, that "legitimacy" is taken away later in the two-parter episode and Catrina becomes in turn the designated heir; in addition, Uther reminds Arthur that he personally had to win his kingdom, not inherit it, and thus puts Arthur though quite a few ordeals and trials to judge if his son is ready to become king.}}

**** {{spoiler|On the other hand and for added [[Fridge Logic]], if Arthur died and Uther made Morgana his heir, the king would probably not even need to officially recognise her as his daughter, as the fact she's been his ward for half her life, that she's had first row seat to how to rule a kingdom, and that he dearly loved her would easily explain it to the whole kingdom. So, really, the whole "she's actually his daughter" is not really useful in terms of usurping the throne; it's far more useful to show Uther as an hypocrite, Morgana's sliding deeper into evil, and complicating the whole Morgana issue for Arthur.}}

** {{spoiler|Although now she isn't a servant anymore.}}

* [[Super Strength]]: Percival appears to have this.

* [[Swiss Cheese Security]]: It is surprisingly easy to break into and out of, not only the castle itself, but also the dungeons, Arthur's room, the throne room, Gaius's room, and any guest room.

* [[Take Care of the Kids]]: When Morgana's father Gorlois died, he extracted a promise from Uther that she would be taken care of. This is revealed to be a [[Subversion]] later in the series when we learn {{spoiler|that Morgana is actually Uther's biological daughter}}.

** The trope is also [[Invoked]] between Arthur and Guinevere: on two separate occasions they ask Merlin to take care of the other one on finding themselves in grave danger.

* [[Take Over the City]]: Morgana and Morgause in ''The Coming of Arthur'' two-parter {{spoiler|and again the end of season 4}}

* [[Tap on the Head]]: Arthur gets knocked out from one almost [[Once Per Episode]].

* [[Tempting Fate]]: Arthur in 3x12.

{{quote|'''Arthur''': Who knows? Maybe just this once, we'll have no trouble.}}

* [[Terrible Trio]]: Morgana, Helios and Agravaine.

* {{spoiler|[[They Do]]: Arthur and Gwen}}

* [[Threshold Guardians]]: The Callieach, the gatekeeper of the spirit world.

* [[Throwing Down the Gauntlet]]: Literally, in several episodes.

* [[The Chosen Zero]]: Merlin's immediate reaction to being told that Arthur is the destined King who will save the land is "There must be another Arthur, because this one's an idiot!"

* [[The Mole]]: Agravaine. And previously, Morgana to a point.

** Though it hasn't happened yet, [[Word of God|it's been confirmed that an unstate number of years will have passed between Seasons 4 and 5]].

* [[The Time of Myths]]: Straight from the narrator's mouth.

* [[Title Montage]]

* [[Tomboy Princess]]: Elena.

* [[Too Dumb to Live]]: Uther, to the point that you start to wonder how he and Arthur managed to stay alive until Merlin arrived.

* [[Took a Level In Badass]]: Morgana in the third series, so much.

* [[Traitor Shot]]: Too many to count of {{spoiler|Morgana}} in series three.

* [[True Love's Kiss]]: In order to snap Arthur out of the spell where he was madly in love with Princess Vivian, Gwen had to kiss him.

* [[Unicorn]]: Arthur shoots one which inadvertently leads to a [[Secret Test of Character]].

* [[Unlucky Childhood Friend]]: Though not in the romantic sense (some fans may disagree), Will, a close friend of Merlin's, is this and he is seen <s>jealous</s> upset that Merlin would trust Arthur than him. In the end, {{spoiler|he died, pretending that he had caused the twister to protect Merlin and acknowledging that Arthur would be a great king}}.

** Arthur and Morgana [[Fan-Preferred Couple|Some fans are bitter]].

** Arthur/Morgana, with a whole series of build-up that went [[Jossed|nowhere]].

** Arthur/Gwen, starting from series 2 and building from there. {{spoiler|It gets resolved in series 4, despite a slight hiccup, when Gwen is made Queen}}.

** As of Season 4, Agravaine is this as well.

* [[Violent Glaswegian]]: The Saxons, for some reason.

** All the Knights of the Round Table would also qualify.

* [[Wake Up, Go to School, Save the World]]: Replace "school" with "running around after Arthur" and this fits Merlin to a tee.

* [[Warrior Prince]]: Arthur, of course.

* [[Weak-Willed]]: Morgana.

* [[Wedding Deadline]]: {{spoiler|Merlin just misses it in "Beauty and the Beast".}}

* [[Weirdness Magnet]] / [[Doom Magnet]]: With all the stuff going on, one has to wonder if it's Merlin or just the whole of Camelot that's attracting it.

** And, perhaps, Uther himself.

*** As of series three {{spoiler|Morgana}}, though her obvious glee in causing havoc among her former friends pushes her into [[For the Lulz]] territory.

** 3x12. ''All of it.'' Talk about a [[Downer Ending]].

** Episodes 2 and 3 of Series 4. Holy ''crap''!

* [[Who Wants to Live Forever?]]: {{spoiler|The [[Fisher King]] in episode 8, who has been waiting for someone to come so he can finally die.}}

* [[Who Would Be Stupid Enough...?]]: In 3x10, when Merlin suggests to invent a sorcerer to take the blame on Arthur being "enchanted", Gaius asks "And do you know a sorcerer stupid enough to get caught doing such a thing?". Cue Merlin´s obvious answer.

* [[A Wizard Did It]]: when Merlin wonders how the gang of renegade sorcerers knew that a royal party led by Arthur was coming for them, Arthur is content to say, "They used magic or something." Admittedly, this trope is probably more justifiable in this show than elsewhere.

* [[World of Badass]] AND [[World of Woobie]]. Yes, somehow ''every single character'' manages to be both.

* [[Wounded Gazelle Gambit]]: Nimueh, Sophia, even Morgana at times.

* [[Would Hit a Girl]]: Merlin has no qualms about maiming or killing female enemies with his magic ({{spoiler|Nimeuh, Sophia, Mary Collins, Grunhilda, Morgause, Morgana}}).

*** Ironically, it is Arthur who is the most gentle when it comes to women. He was squeamish about fighting Morgause in combat, and only kills Catrina when she's reverted back to troll-form. The one time he man-handles Gwen, he immediately backs off and apologises.

* [[Wrong Genre Savvy]]: Arthur is under the impression that he's the main character, that Merlin is just his [[Sidekick]], and that most of the [[Monster of the Week|Monsters of the Week]] are dispatched by him or his knights. He also remains completely unaware that long before Guinevere was his [[Love Interest]], she had a crush on Merlin and even kissed him once.

* [[Yank the Dog's Chain]]: {{spoiler|When she takes over Camelot, Morgana offers to give Gaius food if Gwaine provides entertainment by fighting. When he wins, she tosses him a paltry amount of food and has him fight two more guys for something substantial. Mind you, Gwaine is already starving at this point.}}

* [[Ye Goode Olde Days]]: Camelot is awfully cosmopolitan and clean for the Middle Ages.

** In a [[Crowning Moment of Heartwarming|heartwarming moment]], Merlin says this to Freya.

** Later, Merlin says this to Arthur {{spoiler|after Uther dies.}}

** And then again in {{spoiler|"Beauty and the Beast: Part Two".}}

* [[You Have Outlived Your Usefulness]]: {{spoiler|Morgause to Cenred}} in such a classic example of this trope that it's a wonder he didn't see it coming.