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4[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/seize_them.jpg]]]]
5
6->''"Zombie guards, seize him! Tell me that's not fun to say."''
7-->-- '''Mentok''', ''WesternAnimation/HarveyBirdmanAttorneyAtLaw''
8
9A uniquely aristocratic command, shouted by particularly melodramatic villains.
10
11TheBaroness has stumbled across TheHero in an alley. TheEvilPrince has discovered The FiveManBand infiltrated his DecadentCourt. The EvilChancellor has crashed the revolutionaries meeting.
12
13The Good Guys are outnumbered. The BigBad is there with an army of {{Mooks}}. They do the only logical thing. They run!
14
15Alternatively, the EvilChancellor and his retinue just fell for the heroes' plan and the King tells in no uncertain terms that he heard their EngineeredPublicConfession.
16
17On occasion, a heroic character may invoke this trope when they've got the antagonist cornered - usually, this use of the trope comes into play as part of the resolution, after the heroes have already won and have managed to thoroughly trounce their opponent and any army they might have with them.
18
19This phrase is usually preceded or followed by some of these other StockPhrases:
20
21* Close the gates!
22* He's getting away!
23* I'm [[SurroundedByIdiots surrounded by imbeciles]]!
24* Must I do everything myself?
25* [[YouFool Fools!]]
26* Get/After him/her/them!
27* Take him/her/them away!
28
29'''Seize them!'''
30
31For the film, see [[Film/SeizeThem2024 here]].
32
33----
34!!Examples
35
36[[foldercontrol]]
37
38[[folder: Anime and Manga ]]
39* ''Anime/PokemonRangerAndTheTempleOfTheSea''. At the beginning Jack Walker (the title Pokemon Ranger) reveals himself aboard the Phantom's submarine and obtains the Manaphy egg that the Phantom just acquired. The Phantom tells his pirate minions to "Seize him."
40[[/folder]]
41
42[[folder: Comic Books]]
43* The villain's deputy Navishtrix says this in ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}} and the Golden Sickle'' when the heroes enter the traffickers' underground hideout.
44* In the ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' prequel comic ''Start of Darkness'', Xykon uses this trope to explain why he needs new lackies when he meets Redcloak;
45-->"Just last week the good guys burst into my throne room, right? And I shouted, "Get them, you fools!" purely by reflex. Well, you can imagine how embarrassing it was when I realized I had to "Get them" myself. I mean, talk about awkward.
46[[/folder]]
47
48[[folder: Fan Works]]
49* ''Fanfic/LovedAndLost'':
50** In the fifth chapter, [[TheUsurper Prince Jewelius]] tricks everyone in Canterlot into blaming the Royal Guard's captain Shining Armor, the princesses and Twilight's friends for the Changeling invasion. When the shocked heroes [[NotHelpingYourCase try to escape]], they're arrested after Jewelius gives this order to the guards.
51** As [[spoiler:Jewelius [[JustBetweenYouAndMe revels about his secret evil deeds in the imprisoned heroes' faces]]]] during the [[WhamEpisode 11th chapter]], [[spoiler:Celestia gives this order to two guards from her cell. They laugh in response and are revealed to be [[TradingBarsForStripes convicts whom Jewelius released to serve in the Royal Guard]] after he [[ThePurge wiped out all the original guards]] who were injured during the Changeling invasion yet [[UndyingLoyalty continued swearing loyalty]] to the dismantled princesses]].
52** When the heroes are released from their restraints during the [[spoiler:interrupted PublicExecution of Celestia]], Jewelius keeps ranting this order from his booth as his guards try unsuccessfully to defeat the heroes.
53* ''Fanfic/TheNightUnfurls'': In Chapter 19 of the original, Commander Berol is ousted as a traitor by Kyril and his company. Both parties try to use this trope on the other, to no avail for the former.
54-->'''Kyril:''' Commander Berol, by the authority vested in me by the [[CrystalDragonJesus Goddess Incarnate]], you have been charged with dereliction of duty and have been sentenced to hang at dawn. Sergeant Roland, seize this man.\
55'''Berol:''' [[ThisCannotBe Y-You can't do this to me]], you upstart foreigner! Sergeant Roland, detain this man!\
56'''Roland:''' *shakes head* I don't follow the words of a traitor.\
57'''Kyril:''' You have been relieved of command, Berol. [[PrepareToDie Deal with it. Or pray]], seeing as the [[HangingAround hangman's noose]] waits for no man. Farewell, Berol.
58[[/folder]]
59
60[[folder: Film -- Animated]]
61%%* ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}: Legends of Metru Nui''
62* ''WesternAnimation/TheGreatMouseDetective'': When Queen Mousetoria discovers that Rattigan is behind the plot to replace her with a robot, she orders "Guards, seize that despicable creature!" Rattigan then [[IronicEcho says the same]] through the robot queen and the guards, who are really his lackies in disguise, take the Queen away.
63* The Disney version of ''WesternAnimation/ThePrinceAndThePauper'':
64** Mickey, pretending to be the Prince, is being forced by Captain Pete to relinquish the crown to him. During the ceremony, Mickey uses this method to get Pete captured, but Pete turns it around on him.
65-->'''Mickey:''' Guards, seize him!\
66'''Pete:''' No, seize ''him!'' He's an imposter!
67** It appears earlier as one of the two phrases the Prince tells Mickey are all he needs to say to be a ruler. (The other is "That's a splendid idea, I'm {{glad I thought of it}}."
68* The Disney version of ''WesternAnimation/RobinHood1973''.
69* Disney's ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'':
70--> '''King Stefan:''' Seize that creature!
71* ''WesternAnimation/TheThiefAndTheCobbler'' has the line 'Sieze Him! Take Him! Sieze Him! Take Him!' spoken by Zig Zag the film's LargeHam and primary antagonist.
72[[/folder]]
73
74[[folder: Film -- Live-Action]]
75* ''Film/BlazingSaddles''. Sheriff Bart and the Waco Kid try to infiltrate Hedley Lamaar's army of thugs. When they're revealed they run away and Hedley Lamaar yells "Seize them!" to his minions.
76%%* ''Film/HistoryOfTheWorldPartI'': "Ah, seize this!"
77* ''Film/TheLastStarfighter''. After Emperor Xur screws up, Commander Kril orders the Ko-Dan soldiers to "Seize him!''
78* ''Film/MortalKombatTheMovie'': Shang Tsung tries this when the heroes have infiltrated the Black Tower to rescue Sonya under the guise of the brown-robed monks. But Princess Kitana, who is also among them, stops them in their tracks with a "STAY WHERE YOU ARE!" before denouncing the BigBad for trying to "interfere with the Tournament" and win it by treachery.
79* ''Film/TankGirl''. As Tank Girl and Sam are escaping Liquid Silver, the Madame recognizes Tank Girl and shouts "Seize them! Guards!"
80* Played for laughs in ''Film/ThreeAmigos'' by Lucky Day (Creator/SteveMartin). When he's surrounded by the {{Mooks}} of the BigBad El Guapo, all pointing guns at his head, he yells "Seize him!" (referring to El Guapo).
81* The modern version was uttered in ''Film/TommyBoy'' by Zalinski: "Don't let him leave the premises, Marty." This was preceded by the far more middle class "GET HIM!", said by Tommy.
82* The WickedWitch of the West in ''Film/TheWizardOfOz'', in the castle as the Scarecrow, CowardlyLion and Tin Man escape with Dorothy and Toto.
83--> '''The Wicked Witch of the West:''' Seize them, seize them! Stop them, [[YouFool you fools]], stop them! Seize them! Seize them!
84* ''Film/MontyPythonsLifeOfBrian'': Brian used the chance that the Roman guards were laughing their asses off when they learned about [[UnfortunateNames the name of Pontius Pilate's best friend Biggus Dickus' wife, Incontintentia Buttocks]] to slide away and run from captivity. Pilate caught on quickly and traded the berating with the trope... while the guards were still laughing.
85--> '''Pontius Pilate:''' Seize him! Come on, blow your noses and seize him!!
86[[/folder]]
87
88[[folder: Literature]]
89* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'': Visser Three says this all the time.
90* ''Literature/ChildrenOfDune''. When Leto knocks the door to Alia's room off its hinges and enters her presence along with his sister Ghanima, Alia shouts at her guards to "Seize them!" Leto picks up the 1,000 lb. door he just came through and throws it at the guards.
91* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'':
92** In ''Literature/GuardsGuards'', the Palace guard is at one point to seize Vimes. GenreSavvy as they are, they [[MookChivalry question the wisdom]] of [[ConservationOfNinjutsu attacking a lone person]], who might even start swinging on the chandelier.
93** In another book Rincewind has had so many variations on this phrase that he muses (while running) that his nickname is "Don't let him get away!".
94* In the Star Trek novel ''Literature/HowMuchForJustThePlanet'' the evil queen gets to shout "Seize her!" several times during the scene in which she disciplines a servant girl who tried to help the prisoners escape. The last time, it's "Seize her again. Oh, I do like saying that."
95* ''Literature/TortallUniverse'': In ''Literature/TheImmortals'' book ''Wolf-Speaker'', Rikash says (in an 'ItMakesSenseInContext way') "Get that SQUIRREL!!"[[note]]The context? The heroine is TheBeastmaster and a [[VoluntaryShapeshifting shapeshifter]].[[/note]]
96* Even ''Literature/TheStainlessSteelRat'' does this (admittedly he was posing as an Admiral of the League Grand Fleet at the time).
97-->"I am arresting you for conspiracy, extortion, theft, and whatever other charges develop after a careful review of these documents. Seize him." This last order was directed at the robot who was well briefed in its role. It rumbled forward and locked its hand around Ferraro's wrist, handcuff style. He barely noticed.
98[[/folder]]
99
100[[folder: Live Action TV]]
101* ''Series/{{Arrow}}''. In "Canary Cry", the Green Arrow talks another vigilante out of killing CorruptPolitician Ruvé Adams, [[UngratefulBastard who responds by]] [[GivingSomeoneThePointerFinger pointing dramatically]] at the Arrow and saying:
102-->'''Ruve:''' Arrest him!
103-->'''Oliver:''' [[Film/RobinHoodPrinceOfThieves I've seen this movie before...]]
104* ''Series/DoctorWho''
105** This happens on three separate occasions in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS14E1TheMasqueOfMandragora "The Masque of Mandragora"]]. Sarah Jane Smith is about to become a HumanSacrifice when the Doctor slips her off the sacrificial stone JustInTime. The leader of the cult responds with this trope, but fortunately their 'god' turns up and they start worshipping it instead while our heroes slip away. Count Frederico orders "When I give the signal, seize him!" when going to confront the leader of the cult, only to get a fatal shock when he tries a DramaticUnmask. When the Doctor informs Frederico's captain of the bad news, Captain Rossini tries this trope [[KnowWhenToFoldThem only to find his men have switched sides now that their master is dead]].
106* ''Series/{{Farscape}}''. John Crichton is infiltrating a Peacekeeper base [[DressingAsTheEnemy disguised as an officer]]. It's later revealed that [[BigBad Scorpius]] can see heat, and this vision showed that Crichton wasn't even the right species.
107-->'''Scorpius:''' Guards, that man is an impostor. Seize him.
108** An interesting example, since this trope is usually an indicator of IncomingHam, yet Scorpius delivers the line with an utterly flat affect.
109* ''Series/StarTrekVoyager''. In the WorldOfHam holodeck program "[[Film/TheAdventuresOfCaptainProton The Adventures of Captain Proton]]", EmperorScientist Dr Chaotica does this when siccing his KillerRobot on his [[NumberTwoForBrains bungling henchman Lonzak]].
110-->'''Dr Chaotica:''' [[YouFool Fool!]] [[YouHaveFailedMe You will pay for your incompetence.]] Seize him!
111%%* ''Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000'', ''Film/PrinceOfSpace'' episode
112* ''Series/ThirtyRock'' lampshaded this trope's association with hammy villains.
113-->'''Jack:''' Uh, Lemon... do you think I'm a villain?\
114'''Liz:''' Well, I have heard you say, "Guards, seize him."\
115'''Jack:''' I was at a Knicks game. They needed to stop the clock.
116* The ''Series/OddSquad'' episode "Villains in Need Are Villains Indeed" has Jamie Jam, Noisemaker and Mr. Lightning breaking into Precinct 13579's Headquarters, where Oprah promptly greets them with this:
117--> '''Oprah:''' Well, well, well. If it isn't Jamie Jam, Noisemaker, and Mr. Lightning. How dare you break into my Squad. ''Seize them!!''
118[[/folder]]
119
120[[folder: Radio]]
121* From the ''Radio/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy1978'' radio series:
122-->'''Hig Hurtenflirst:''' ''[to foot warrior]'' Well then just seize the prisoners.\
123''[Foot warrior falls over]''\
124'''Hurtenflirst:''' Prisoners.\
125'''Arthur and Lintilla:''' Yes?\
126'''Hurtenflirst:''' Seize each other.
127[[/folder]]
128
129[[folder: Theatre]]
130* ''Theatre/{{Urinetown}}'' has this a few times.
131[[/folder]]
132
133[[folder: Video Games]]
134* A heroic example comes in at the end of [[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaCDiGames The Legend of Zelda: The Wand of Gamelon]], after King Harkinian has been rescued.
135-->'''Lord Kiro''': "Here's the traitor, your majesty!"
136-->'''Duke Onkled''': "[[AintTooProudToBeg Please, your omnipotence,]] '''''[[VillainsWantMercy have mercy!]]'''''"
137-->'''King Harkinian''': "After you've [[CoolAndUnusualPunishment scrubbed all the floors in Hyrule]], then we can talk about mercy! Take him away!"
138-->'''Lord Kiro''': "Yes my liege!"
139* In the ending sequence of ''VideoGame/WingCommander IV'', Admiral Tolwyn [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpbOkVdl7b0#t=1m58s demonstrates how to be a melodramatic villain]].
140[[/folder]]
141
142[[folder: Visual Novels]]
143* In ''VisualNovel/DaughterForDessert'', Cecilia commands Mortelli [[spoiler:to arrest the protagonist when he breaks into her hotel room]].
144-->'''Cecilia:''' Your job is to protect the innocent from the guilty, and that man is clearly guilty!
145[[/folder]]
146
147[[folder: Web Original]]
148* Website/TheOnion's [[http://www.theonion.com/content/node/26039 Seize Him!]]
149[[/folder]]
150
151[[folder: Webcomics]]
152* ''Webcomic/{{Digger}}'' caught this from the hyenas at one point.
153* Variants are used in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'' three pages [[https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20151230 in]] [[https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20160104 a]] [[https://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20160106 row]] by the ''same character.''
154[[/folder]]
155
156[[folder: Western Animation]]
157* ''WesternAnimation/{{Beetlejuice}}'': In "To Beetle or Not to Beetle", Lydia is captured by a band of rogue Shakespeare characters, and we're treated to Hamlet giving the line "Julius, [[{{Pun}} seize her]]!"
158* ''WesternAnimation/Birdman1967''
159** Episode "Versus Cumulus, the Storm King". When Cumulus goes to make his blackmail demands on the U.S. government, a military officer says he doesn't believe that Cumulus has weather-control powers and orders "Seize him, guards!" Cumulus then freezes the guards inside a block of ice.
160** Episode "The Empress of Evil". After Birdman escapes being FedToTheBeast and rescues the prince, Medusa tells her giant female {{Mooks}}s to "Seize him!"
161* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' episode "A Clone of My Own". The Near-Death Star Robots, and...
162-->'''Guard:''' Get them! I mean, seize them!
163** Another version, subverted:
164--->'''Bureaucrat 1.0:''' Guards! Bring me the forms I have to fill out to have her taken away!
165* ''WesternAnimation/TheHerculoids'' episode "The Mole Men".
166* ''WesternAnimation/JohnnyBravo'':
167** In "Brave New Johnny", when Johnny heckles a comedian in a BadFuture, the man orders his guards to seize him.
168** In "Quo Doofus", Johnny gets sent to Ancient Rome. When someone says "Caesar", he thinks they said "Seize her" and grabs a woman. Her husband yells to his guards "Seize him!" and Johnny replies, "Seize him, seize her. Why don't you guys make up your minds?"
169* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'': [[Recap/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagicS1E2ElementsOfHarmony "Elements of Harmony"]] starts with a scene that seems to be a ShoutOut to Disney's ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'' example above. Compare the dialogues:
170-->'''Maleficent:''' [{{evil laugh}}]\
171'''King Stefan:''' Seize that creature!\
172'''Maleficent:''' Stand back, [[YouFool you fools]]! (''scares the guards off, then disappears in green flames laughing'')\
173'''Nightmare Moon:''' [{{evil laugh}}]\
174'''Mayor Mare:''' Seize her! Only she knows where the princess is!\
175'''Nightmare Moon:''' Stand back, [[YouFool you]] [[HoldYourHippogriffs foals]]! (''scares the guards with lightnings, then goes away in a mist laughing'')
176* In Creator/{{Filmation}}'s "The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty", there's a running gag where, whenever Tyrone (the main villain) would tell his henchman to "seize him", they would respond with "We sees him! We sees him!".
177* ''WesternAnimation/SpaceGhost''
178** "Revenge of the Spider Woman''. After Space Ghost breaks out of the cell he's in Spider Woman orders her guards to seize Jan and Jace.
179** "Homing Device". After Metallus' robots discover the TrackingDevice on Blip's collar, Metallus orders them to seize him.
180* ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsRebels'': In [[Recap/StarWarsRebelsS3E15ThroughImperialEyes "Through Imperial Eyes"]], when Agent Kallus orders Lieutenant Lyste arrested after he stuns Governor Pryce:
181-->"Troopers! Seize him!"
182* ''WesternAnimation/SuperFriends'' 1973/74 episode "The Androids". When Batman figures out that the Superman in the Hall of Justice is actually an android double he yells "Grab him!" to the other Super Friends. Unfortunately the android had already left the room so they couldn't.
183[[/folder]]
184

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