History WesternAnimation / MenInBlackTheSeries

* JediMidTrick: This is what the neuralyzer is for. It helps the agents make people forget they just saw alien(s), their activities, or their tech.

*** L and J going Christmas shopping together to get presents for MIB Christmas celebration. L also briefly assists J in [[spoiler:covering up the fact that he didn't get K a Christmas gift when K asks him about it. Though, J does eventually get him a gift at the end of the episode]] (Season 2, Episode 10).

** Season 1 - It's more upfront in season 1, where L occasionally flirts with J and shows a softer, more vulnerable, and intimate side of herself when they're alone together (Though, not all the time). In J's case, it's shown in "The Big Sleep Syndrome" episode (Season 1, Episode 11) [[spoiler:that in his fantasy/dream world, he and L are a loving couple. Though, this version of L in his dreams doesn't represent the real version of L with maybe the exception of her flirty nature. It's shown that L dislikes J's affection for the dream version of L, though not because she doesn't hold a similar infatuation towards him. It's probably because this version of her - outside of looking identical to her - is so different from her personality-wise that she might as well be a different person. At the end of the episode when J is free from the vernax's spells, both he and L talk about what happened. J, feeling vulnerable and insecure now that L knows about his fantasy life, is comforted by her when she states that she promises she won't tell anybody about what they both experienced in his dream world - along with stating that dreams are irrational anyway, or at least that's what she hopes. J responds by asking if she is down for giving him a foot massage (Referencing back to one of the scenarios in his fantasy). L jokingly responds by saying "Dream on" - which acts as a final quote for the episode. And as an aside, the fact that L risked her life and sacrificed herself (Though ended up living) to save J by getting him out of his fantasy/dream world says a lot about how she feels about him. The same goes for J as he sacrifices himself for L by taking the hit from the Vernax when it was originally meant for her earlier in the episode.]]

'''L: Jay, you're so... heavy."'' (Heavy = handsome?) (Season 1, Episode 2 - The Buzzard Syndrome)

* UnresolvedSexualTension: Throughout the show (With maybe the exception of season 4), it's implied that Jay and Elle have a mutual attraction for each other and a pretty close bond. Elle acts as a confidant to Jay. She keeps his secrets, occasionally acts as a source of comfort for his venting, and sometimes assists him in his schemes - along with when Kay is not around when he investigates something. They also sometimes like to hang out outside of work, implying that they enjoy each others' company. Ultimately, the show never expands upon their relationship beyond this, as the show ended by season 4. So it's up in the air if they'll ever try/did try their hands at having a real romance.
** Season 1 - It's more upfront in season 1, where Elle occasionally flirts with Jay and shows a softer, more vulnerable, and intimate side of herself when they're alone together (Though, not all the time). In Jay's case, it's shown in "The Big Sleep Syndrome" episode (Season 1, Episode 11) [[spoiler:that in his fantasy/dream world, he and Elle are a loving couple. Though, this version of Elle in his dreams doesn't represent the real version of Elle with maybe the exception of her flirty nature. It's shown that Elle dislikes Jay's affection for the dream version of Elle, though not because she doesn't hold a similar infatuation towards him. It's probably because this version of her - outside of looking identical to her - is so different from her personality-wise that she might as well be a different person. At the end of the episode when Jay is free from the vernax's spells, both he and Elle talk about what happened. Jay, feeling vulnerable and insecure now that Elle knows about his fantasy life, is comforted by her when she states that she promises she won't tell anybody about what they both experienced in his dream world - along with stating that dreams are irrational anyway, or at least that's what she hopes. Jay responds by asking if she is down for giving him a foot massage (Referencing back to one of the scenarios in his fantasy). Elle jokingly responds by saying "Dream on" - which acts as a final quote for the episode. And as an aside, the fact that Elle risked her life and sacrificed herself (Though ended up living) to save Jay by getting him out of his fantasy/dream world says a lot about how she feels about him. The same goes for Jay as he sacrifices himself for Elle by taking the hit from the Vernax when it was originally meant for her earlier in the episode.]]

*** Elle caressing Jay's face when they fall off their bike in a... compromising position and saying:

*** Two instances in "The Alpha Syndrome" (Season 1, Episode 4). One where Elle makes a flirty joke at Jay while he's gathering intel on [[spoiler:Alpha]], along with helping him crack a code his encrypted files. The second instance is more subtle but noticeable. When Jay is talking to Elle about where to find [[spoiler:Kay]], he has a eureka moment and briefly places his hands on Elle's arms. Elle gives a quick gaze in response to the action.
*** Elle letting Jay ride passenger behind on her speed-bike and saying:

*** Elle saying "Liked him better when he only thought he knew everything" about Jay when his brain becomes super smart, with him becoming very egotistical. Though, this seems to be out of annoyance more than anything else. But this could be interpreted as her way of saying she misses the old Jay. (Season 1, Episode 10 - The Head Trip Syndrome)

*** Elle fixing up her hair for Jay when she unexpectedly encounters him in her office after she wakes up from a nap (Season 2, Episode 2 - The Quick Clone Syndrome).
*** Elle and Jay eating together during a special morale-boosting gathering (Season 2, Episode 8).
*** Elle and Jay going Christmas shopping together to get presents for MIB Christmas celebration. Elle also briefly assists Jay in [[spoiler:covering up the fact that he didn't get Kay a Christmas gift when Kay asks him about it. Though, Jay does eventually get him a gift at the end of the episode]] (Season 2, Episode 10).

*** Elle again letting jay ride passenger behind her on her speed-bike, along with giving a pretty flirtatious gaze back at him when he hops on (Season 3, Episode 5 - The Way Out West Syndrome).
*** Elle being shocked that [[spoiler:Agent K brought Jay back to MIB even though he was terminated from his position in the organization]] - and shortly after saying, "You look good, Jay" as he walks away with K for the next part in the episode. Jay interprets this as her flirting and gives a smirk in response. Even though [[spoiler:his memories of his time in MIB is mostly erased by this point in the episode]], he knows flirting when he sees it (Season 3, Episode 5 - The J is for James Syndrome).

*** In one of the promotional art for the show, Elle, Jay, Zed, Kay, and some aliens are shown standing together. Elle can be seen giving an admiring gaze to Jay while he's posing with Kay.

* CloningBlues: The Quick Clones, which provide perfect copies of any human being, right down to their physical abilities, memories and mannerisms... [[ImMelting for a while, anyway]]. See CloneDegeneration.

** Also an issue with the Quick Clones (see CloningBlues above). They are entirely self-aware, but they melt after a few hours (or when their SelfDestructButton is pushed). No one seems to find this objectionable, not even the Quick Clones themselves.

* MassiveMultiplayerScam: In [[Recap/MenInBlackTheSeriesS3E9TheOutToPastureSyndrome "The Out To Pasture Syndrome"]], Zed retires from the MIB and is neuralyzed. Alpha decides to take advantage of this to exact revenge on Zed. Scanning Jay's memories reveals that Zed is in Antarctica. Zed hasn't actually retired, though, the MIB just wants to lure Alpha into a location where they can monitor him.

** J and K claim to belong to various civil organizations when introducing themselves to civilians, but they always add "Division 6".

--> ''J'': "Like [[Franchise/StarTrek Captain Kirk]]?"

The show has spawned one video game, and it was seen in reruns on Creator/TheHub prior to its rebrand as Discovery Family. In 2021, Creator/SonyPicturesTelevision began releasing episodes of the series for free on their Throwback Toons Website/YouTube channel.

* AllCrimesAreEqual: The LawfulStupid Kalifadik enforcers come to Earth to teleport alien fugitives to life imprisonment for any violation, no matter [[MattressTagGag how minor]].
** Partially subverted by the fact that the Kalifadik police are breaking more than a few laws by teleporting the criminals over interstellar lines. They justify this by pointing out that they answer only to their own planet's laws.

* MattressTagGag: One episode features an alien race that's downright obsessive about law and order, complete with an ultra-brutal gulag for housing the many, many lawbreakers they round up. How strict are they? When J finds himself in the prison, he asks a fellow inmate [[WhatAreYouInFor what he's in for]], and, well, it turns out they take their mattress tags very seriously.

* MustHaveCaffeine: The Worms in MIB absolutely love it-- apparently coffee is a drink reserved for royalty on their home planet.

*** SparedByTheAdaptation: Mikey was splattered in the movie.

* NotNowKiddo: In the Holloween episode, K let's a kid who witnessed an alien go un-neuralyzed, guessing that this trope would be just as effective. Even the kid himself acknowledges this.

** when testing a defensive KillSat, L mentions that the big laser cannon on it is capable of vaporizing "[[Film/Armageddon1998 an asteroid the size of Texas]]"

* SillyReasonForWar: The Fmeks want to blow up the Arquillians home planet simply because it was a bit bigger than theirs.

** In "The Put Out To Pasture Syndrome" [[spoiler:J noticed Z's eyes didn't look quite right after being Neuralized. Later when it was revealed it was a set up to lure Alpha into a trap and Z wasn't neuralized, J commented on the eyes not being glossy like all other times. [[OhCrap Because Alpha got the information from reading J's mind, he might have picked up on that as well]]]].
* SuperSpeed: J gets this in one episode. See TakenForGranite for details.
* SurpriseCheckmate: In "The Opening Gambit Syndrome", J tries to get information out of the imprisoned Alpha by offering to play chess with him. He's checkmated twice by the same distraction tactic. After Alpha escapes, he applies the same tactic to reality-- this time, J sees it coming.

* TheUnmasquedWorld: [[spoiler:During the GrandFinale, a global AlienInvasion leads to [=MiB=] revealing the existence of aliens to the entire world, so that the entire planet can fight for survival. Then subverted, when the [=MiB=] are being honored by the American government, and L points out that everyone on Earth is watching the ceremony, so Z & K take the opportunity to [[LaserGuidedAmnesia neuralize]] ''the entire planet'', thus ensuring that the {{Status Quo| Is God}} continued to be preserved.]]
* TheWorldIsNotReady: [=MiB=] decides if and when certain alien technologies (like microwaves and time travel devices) will [[ReedRichardsIsUseless make it to market]].

** J also gets hit hard. The series stuck with the "new, inexperienced agent" role from the first movie, but J basically never grew out of it. There was a total of one episode where he seemed to actually become competent, which was forgotten by the next.

* ArtEvolution: J and K got character redesigns after the first season. L became less pale. The Worms also got a lighter yellow color instead of the darker brown they started with.

%%* PowerWalk: J and K do this in the opening sequence.

* DenserAndWackier: Season 2+ compared to the first. Which put a lot of focus on K's and J's relationship and had some really dark and at times even suspenseful stories. These got increasingly rarer as the series progressed, though, in favor of putting a lot of focus on the wacky hijinks of the worms or Frank the pug.