History Series / Merlin

* BigScrewedUpFamily: As of the end of series three, the Pendragons definitely qualify, what with Uther and Arthur's strained relationship and the fact that Morgana is not only [[spoiler: Uther's illegitimate daughter and Arthur's unacknowledged half-sister, but actively trying to kill them both]]. Both of Arthur’s [[EvilUncle uncles]] tried to avenge Ygraine’s death: Tristan by coming back from the grave to kill Uther and [[spoiler: Agravaine by plotting with Morgana]].

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

* DisproportionateRetribution:

** 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]]?

* PersonOfMassDestruction: Merlin and Morgana. Any high-level mage, especially if they get creative, can cause hell.

* PersonOfMassDestruction: Merlin.

* HotShounenMom: In series two, Ygraine Pendragon.

* PoliticallyCorrectHistory: Gwen (Guinevere) is black. Anachronistic, perhaps, but we're not that fussed. Lancelot's race is never mentioned but he is noticeably darker-skinned than the rest of the cast (he is played by Santiago Cabrera, who is Chilean.)
** 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).
** Actually, Gwen's physical appearance may just be one of the least anachronistic aspects of the show: her darker skin and curly hair suggest that she is [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silures Silurian]] (no, not [[Series/DoctorWho that]] kind of Silurian).

* LegendaryWeapon: ''Excalibur'', which Arthur is going to rip out of that stone as revealed by the series trailer, and Lancelot's sword which I have momentarily forgotten the name of.
** Arondight.

** Series 4 is more of a duel between the two of them than Arthur and Morgana. Arthur spends most of the series being puppeted and Morgana dwells more on her petty vendettas than anything that will actually help her, leaving Merlin and Agravaine to do anything actually beneficial. To further the parallels, they seem to be the only ones actually aware of how competent the other is.[[hottip:*: While Morgana dismisses (or pretends to dismiss) Merlin as a mere serving boy, Agravaine's actually smart enough to get him out of the way before abducting Gaius and watch him in case he does something. Later, Merlin states that Agravaine is far too dangerous to be left alone and his treachery should be exposed before he does real damage, and Gaius basically tells him that he's overreacting and refuses to confirm Agravaine kidnapped him to Arthur.]]

** Merlin and Morgana have a huge NotSoDifferent thing going on. Anything she's done, he's done as well. Attempt to murder an innocent to prevent a prophecy, take away free will, betray a close friend, the works. [[hottip:*: Although it's not really a double standard, as Merlin spends a long time angsting over these decisions, and Morgana is positively gleeful to do them whenever she has the chance.]]

** Alternatively, Merlin was still in there somewhere and didn't want to actually kill Arthur, or be arrested before he could.[[hottip:*:But that's highly doubtful.]]

* UnderestimatingBadassery: You have [[BadassDamsel two]] [[WarriorPrince royals]], [[BadassCrew a bunch of knights]], a HighPriestess, and a [[SquishyWizard small, untrained]],[[{{Dojikko}} clumsy]] manservant. Guess which one has the highest body count of the series? [[hottip:*: Making your soldiers do the job doesn't count, otherwise it would be Morgana.]]

* ChildrenAreInnocent: Initially played straight with Mordred, who despite being supposedly destined for evil, is at first just an ordinary (if telepathic) little boy; however, averted with each subsequent appearance, as Uther's persecution drives him to become more and more vengeful.
** YMMV on this. In the two occasions, he was attacked by adults and just defended himself.
*** It's still pretty scary for a kid who was raised by an extremely pacifistic people to kill without remorse.

* CommonEyeColors: Arthur and Mordred's matching baby blues seem... suggestive.
** YMMV here. In season 5, [[spoiler:Mordred's eyes match Morgana's, perfectly. Still suggestive, though, yes?]]

* AdaptationalAngstUpgrade: Perhaps not so much an "upgrade" as a "shift" in what the main characters angst about. Arthur has [[WellDoneSonGuy Daddy Issues]], Morgana grapples with fear of her growing magical powers, Guinevere is given a RagsToRiches story, and Merlin has to hide his true identity while making SadisticChoice after SadisticChoice. Their legendary counterparts had [[BecauseDestinySaysSo Depressing Destinies]], BrotherSisterIncest and [[LoveTriangle Love Triangles]] to contend with.

* BloodOnTheseHands: 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.

-->--'''The Great Dragon'''

!!This series contains examples of:

** A darker example in TheDarkTower. Morgana alternates between cruelty and kindness when she has Gwen hostage in an attempt to brainwash her. Morgana holding out her hand to Gwen and getting Gwen to take her hand in turn are vital steps on the road to inducing StockholmSyndrome.

There is a [[Characters/{{Merlin}} Character Sheet]] and an [[Recap/{{Merlin}} Episode Guide]] for the series.

* ARealManIsAKiller: Arthur describes himself as "the ultimate killing machine" and this is in no way an InformedAbility. In fact, it's almost disconcerting to see him kill another man (albeit one who was trying to kill ''him'') without a moment's hesitation in the very second episode of the show.

** Merlin mucking out the stables is a running gag, though. In ''Aithusa'' Merlin has to forgo his own dinner to feed the horses. And in ''Sword in the Stone Part 1'' Merlin has [[spoiler:simpleton!]] Arthur rub down the horses. So caring for the horses is definitely there, but LawOfConservationOfDetail often HandWaves it.

** The entire attitude toward killing on the show. What, you thought that the PG rating would put RoseColoredGlasses on? Nope. If someone's trying to kill you, you kill them. The only two exceptions are when Mordred kills soldiers because he's a child, and when it's in cold blood, like Arthur executing King Caerleon.

* GoryDiscretionShot: Combined with BloodlessCarnage in episode 9, during Owain and Tristan DuBois's otherwise violent (well, for bulky, armor-weighted knights) battle.

* InelegantBlubbering: Nobody on this show cries nicely. Which makes TearJerkers that much worse.

* ItSQuietTooQuiet: Arthur to Merlin in the forest in episode 3x12.

** Could also count for SuspiciouslySpecificDenial, since RealMenDontLikeAffection.

* TheUnreveal: So, so many times. The teaser for the next episodes sets up Arthur finding out that Merlin is a warlock every other episode, and yet... nothing.

* TheChosenZero: 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!"
* TheMole: Agravaine. And previously, Morgana to a point.

* NakedPeopleAreFunny:
[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLQCi8Pfp7g This scene]]. Arthur usually has no problem strutting around his chambers naked, but with Gwen is there to see him, HilarityEnsues.

* Single Tear: Merlin when he kisses Freya for the first time.

* DeadStarWalking: This show ''loved'' bringing in reasonably big-name guest stars only to kill them off almost immediately, including: [[spoilers: Phil Davies, James Callis, Gary Lewis, Holliday Grainger, Sarah Parish, Charles Dance, Eve Myles, John Shrapnel, Julian Rhind-Tutt and John Lynch, among others).

** Something of a {{subversion}} considering a) leaving doesn't make Gwen particularly happy, and b) Lancelot leaves for Arthur's sake rather than for Gwen's, making it more a case of [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy I Want My Future King To Be Happy]].