Swamp People - Television Tropes & Idioms

"In the farthest corner of Louisiana lies the nation's largest swamp — a hidden world where nature rules... and man fights back."

Debuting in August 2010, Swamp People is a History Channel Reality Show that details the life and times of various Cajun dwellers in different sectors of the Atchafalaya River Basin swamp in Louisiana during one specific and important time of the year for them: Alligator season. Using their own wits, experience, equipment and luck, the hunters are on a race to bag enough alligators to net themselves enough money for their yearly income and be rid of the beasts before the population explodes and threatens locals. But that's not to say that the show is all serious business. In between the hunting and history lessons, the swamp has its own share of side-stories, oddities, and other various activities.

Two separate seasons have aired so far, with the third one currently airing.

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Badass: Pretty much everyone. You just get used to these people being able to haul half-ton alligators out of the water and wrestle with them on the end of a line.
"He'd have bit a normal man in half. And bent the hell out of a Cajun."
Berserk Button: Shown to happen often due to various circumstances against the hunters, from forgotten equipment, to a mess-up on the boat, to poachers.
Catch Phrase / Insistent Terminology: "Quarter-sized kill spot."
Chronic Hero Syndrome: Most of the swampers are true believers in what they call "The Code Of The Swamp"... that if you can help your neighbors you will, if someone needs your help you give it to them, you don't infringe on another swamper's property, and you expect the same treatment in return. The show routinely shows them practicing what they preach (especially in the aftermath of the big storm), usually with a touch of Think Nothing of it at the end.
Continuity Nod: A given, since both seasons of the show correspond with two separate alligator seasons.
Downer Ending: Various episodes end with one hunter or another not netting the required amount of alligators.
I Need a Freaking Drink: Leading from the Downer Ending mentioned above, often it has the depressed hunter at one of the local bars in their area.
Jack-of-All-Trades: Besides alligators, some episodes have the hunters going out in other hunting trades, like hunting snakes, frogs, or wild boars.
Killed Off for Real: On May 14 2012, Mitchell Guist, one of the locals at the swamp (Who with his brother Glenn, were regulars in Season 2 and 3) died in an accident. It is unknown how the rest of the season will proceed without him.
Let's Get Dangerous: Though the shown has made it clear that alligator hunting is dangerous, special mention goes to one hunter, Terral Evans, who catches alligators...at night, and with his bare hands.
Like Father, Like Son: Since the Cajuns have resided in the swamp for more than a generation, it is natural. Examples include: Troy Landry & his son Jacob (Along with Troy's own father Pappy), Junior Edwards & his son Willie, "Trapper" Joe Lafond & his stepson Tommy, and R.J. Molinere Jr & his son Jay Paul.
Loads and Loads of Characters: Apart from the hunters, there is also the hunters' boat crew, families, etc.
Reptiles Are Abhorrent: It's doubtful that History Channel would be so eager to make a show about deer hunters. Since it's alligators most people aren't going to be all that bothered.
The Smurfette Principle: Though some of the wives and friends of the hunters have been featured in the show, Liz Cavalier, Troy Landry's sharpshooter in Season 2 (Branching off on her own in Season 3), is the only female hunter in the show.
- Though it doesn't quite hold true, since Liz's new partner in season three is a woman as well.
The Unintelligible: As there are a wide variety of Cajun accents of varying thickness and styles, often spoken while motors are revving, gators are thrashing, and various other background noise, many of the speakers are subtitled despite speaking English.
Well Done Son Guy: Sometimes with the father-son hunting teams, but it is more apparent with "Trapper" Joe Lafond and his stepson Tommy.

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