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{{quote box|[[File:Kaamelott.jpg|frame]]}}
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{{quote| ''C'est pas faux...''}}
{{quote|''C'est pas faux...''}}


'''''Kaamelott''''' is a French series created and written by Alexandre Astier and aired on the French '''M6''' broadcast since 2004. Its four first seasons (called "livres", french for "books") were composed of short episodes (about 3 and a half minutes each.) Early seasons parodied depictions of daily life at King Arthur's court and the knights' ineffective quest for the Holy Grail; but as the author grew more self-confident, it got spiced by more and more continuity (including [[Retcon]] at some point), half-serious story arcs. The fifth season then had longer episodes (7 minutes) and a [[Darker and Edgier]] tone.
'''''Kaamelott''''' is a French series created and written by Alexandre Astier and aired on the French '''M6''' broadcast since 2004. Its four first seasons (called "livres", french for "books") were composed of short episodes (about 3 and a half minutes each.) Early seasons parodied depictions of daily life at King Arthur's court and the knights' ineffective quest for the Holy Grail; but as the author grew more self-confident, it got spiced by more and more continuity (including [[Retcon]] at some point), half-serious story arcs. The fifth season then had longer episodes (7 minutes) and a [[Darker and Edgier]] tone.


The sixth season was aired in October 2009; it depicts Arthur's youth in Rome (partly filmed in the décors of [[Rome (TV)|the series of the same name]], in Cinecittà.) Alexandre Astier also plans to make three movies.
The sixth season was aired in October 2009; it depicts Arthur's youth in Rome (partly filmed in the décors of [[Rome|the series of the same name]], in Cinecittà.) Alexandre Astier also plans to make three movies.


''Kaamelott'' originally replaced another successful series, ''[[Camera Cafe (TV)|Camera Cafe]]'' but soon became even more popular.
''Kaamelott'' originally replaced another successful series, ''[[Camera Cafe]]'' but soon became even more popular.


You can find the character sheet [[Kaamelott (TV)/Characters|here]].
You can find the character sheet [[Kaamelott/Characters|here]].
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{{tropelist}}
=== ''Kaamelott'' provides examples of the following tropes: ===

* [[All Just a Dream]]: The whole episode "Dream On".
* [[All Just a Dream]]: The whole episode "Dream On".
* [[Altum Videtur]]
* [[Altum Videtur]]
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* [[Angrish]]: The weaponmaster is once reduced to this during an argument with Grüdü.
* [[Angrish]]: The weaponmaster is once reduced to this during an argument with Grüdü.
* [[Animal Assassin]]: Grüdü the Bodyguard fears a [[Scary Scorpions|scorpion]] attack on the king, given that a Roman imperator [[Make It Look Like an Accident|has been murdered like that]].
* [[Animal Assassin]]: Grüdü the Bodyguard fears a [[Scary Scorpions|scorpion]] attack on the king, given that a Roman imperator [[Make It Look Like an Accident|has been murdered like that]].
* [[Aren't You Going to Ravish Me]]: Aelis, the first time she meets Arthur. He instead suggests she'd become a mistress... and ''she'' almost threatens to rape ''him''.
* [[Aren't You Going to Ravish Me?]]: Aelis, the first time she meets Arthur. He instead suggests she'd become a mistress... and ''she'' almost threatens to rape ''him''.
* [[Armor Piercing Question]]: Arthur, to the Lady of the Lake (see the [[Our Gods Are Greater]] entry below); also, in Livre VI, one that is never answered, about the arranged marriage between Arthur and Guenièvre ("And if the chap doesn't manage to pull the sword out of the stone, is the marriage still happening?").
* [[Armor-Piercing Question]]: Arthur, to the Lady of the Lake (see the [[Our Gods Are Greater]] entry below); also, in Livre VI, one that is never answered, about the arranged marriage between Arthur and Guenièvre ("And if the chap doesn't manage to pull the sword out of the stone, is the marriage still happening?").
* [[Arranged Marriage]]: Arthur and Guenièvre. Arthur makes it perfectly clear that he has married her for purely political reasons.
* [[Arranged Marriage]]: Arthur and Guenièvre. Arthur makes it perfectly clear that he has married her for purely political reasons.
* [[Arson Murder and Jaywalking]]: In Livre VI. During a war council, right after everyone acknowledges that Loth tried to betray them, he justifies himself with a philosophical speech. Léodagan slowly walks away, then comes back with a spiked hammer.
* [[Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking]]: In Livre VI. During a war council, right after everyone acknowledges that Loth tried to betray them, he justifies himself with a philosophical speech. Léodagan slowly walks away, then comes back with a spiked hammer.
{{quote| '''Léodagan:''' ''(calmly)'' I am willing to forgive you for your attemted coups, your crooked schemes, your bogus alliances and everything else... However, if you don't shut up right now, and ''for good, (points the hammer)'' [[Tranquil Fury|I'll use this to flatten your balls]].}}
{{quote|'''Léodagan:''' ''(calmly)'' I am willing to forgive you for your attemted coups, your crooked schemes, your bogus alliances and everything else... However, if you don't shut up right now, and ''for good, (points the hammer)'' [[Tranquil Fury|I'll use this to flatten your balls]].}}
* [[The Bartender]]: The innkeeper
* [[The Bartender]]: The innkeeper
* [[Beat]]: Quite possibly the most used gag on the show, usually with [[Only Sane Man|Arthur]] unable to respond to whatever absymally stupid comment was just made except by staring and sighing.
* [[Beat]]: Quite possibly the most used gag on the show, usually with [[Only Sane Man|Arthur]] unable to respond to whatever absymally stupid comment was just made except by staring and sighing.
* [[Bed Trick]]: As with the original Arthurian legends, this is how Arthur was conceived, Pendragon using Merlin's Polymorphic Potion to take the appearance of Gorlay since he lusted after his wife, Ygerne. Arthur is dubious about the story, however, since to his knowledge [[Inept Mage|Merlin]] is hardly able to cook anything, least a Polymorphic Potion.
* [[Bed Trick]]: As with the original Arthurian legends, this is how Arthur was conceived, Pendragon using Merlin's Polymorphic Potion to take the appearance of Gorlay since he lusted after his wife, Ygerne. Arthur is dubious about the story, however, since to his knowledge [[Inept Mage|Merlin]] is hardly able to cook anything, least a Polymorphic Potion.
* [[The Berserker]]: [[Berserk Button|DO]]. [[Crouching Moron Hidden Badass|NOT]]. [[Unstoppable Rage|GET]]. [[Lovable Coward|BOHORT]]. [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|DRUNK]].
* [[Berserk Button]]
* [[Berserk Button]]
** Don't get in-between Karadoc and food.
** Don't get in-between Karadoc and food.
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** Letting Guenièvre realize there isn't marzipan anymore, after she ate it all, is NOT a good idea.
** Letting Guenièvre realize there isn't marzipan anymore, after she ate it all, is NOT a good idea.
** The things you won't survive if you do/say them in front of Father Blaise: peeing on the Chapel's wall, being Perceval telling a story, singing/whistling/playing something that is not a fourth, a fifth or a unison.
** The things you won't survive if you do/say them in front of Father Blaise: peeing on the Chapel's wall, being Perceval telling a story, singing/whistling/playing something that is not a fourth, a fifth or a unison.
* [[The Berserker]]: [[Berserk Button|DO]]. [[Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass|NOT]]. [[Unstoppable Rage|GET]]. [[Lovable Coward|BOHORT]]. [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|DRUNK]].
* [[Big Damn Heroes]]: In Livre V, Anna tries to convince Arthur to intercede with Léodagan for Loth and her. When he refuses, she has Loth {{spoiler|[[Shock and Awe|zap him]] and puts a knife to his throat. Then [[The Ditz|Guenièvre]] [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|bashes the both of them on the head with a stick]]. Arthur can only ''stare''}}.
* [[Big Damn Heroes]]: In Livre V, Anna tries to convince Arthur to intercede with Léodagan for Loth and her. When he refuses, she has Loth {{spoiler|[[Shock and Awe|zap him]] and puts a knife to his throat. Then [[The Ditz|Guenièvre]] [[Crowning Moment of Awesome|bashes the both of them on the head with a stick]]. Arthur can only ''stare''}}.
* [[Big Eater]]: Karadoc. Just to put it in perspective, for those who don't know the show: in an episode, Arthur asks Karadoc how many meals does he eat in a day. The answer? If you count daytime meals and night snacks, Karadoc has eleven meals a day. ''Eleven''.
* [[Big Eater]]: Karadoc. Just to put it in perspective, for those who don't know the show: in an episode, Arthur asks Karadoc how many meals does he eat in a day. The answer? If you count daytime meals and night snacks, Karadoc has eleven meals a day. ''Eleven''.
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* [[The Chosen Zero]]: In one episode, the kingdom runs into a problem that only Merlin can solve. So Arthur says, "Wait a minute, are you telling me our last hope is Merlin?" Cue concerned looks between all characters and Bohort saying it: "We're all gonna die!"
* [[The Chosen Zero]]: In one episode, the kingdom runs into a problem that only Merlin can solve. So Arthur says, "Wait a minute, are you telling me our last hope is Merlin?" Cue concerned looks between all characters and Bohort saying it: "We're all gonna die!"
* [[Chronic Backstabbing Disorder]]: King Loth
* [[Chronic Backstabbing Disorder]]: King Loth
{{quote| '''Loth:''' I have just one question: When are we betraying?}}
{{quote|'''Loth:''' I have just one question: When are we betraying?}}
* [[Cloudcuckoolander]]
* [[Cloudcuckoolander]]
** Karadoc
** Karadoc
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* [[Color Coded for Your Convenience]]: The Knights of the Round Table: brownish red (Arthur), navy blue (Léodagan), white (Lancelot), red (Karadoc, his brother and his wife), light blue (Perceval), green (Bohort), dark green (Calogrenant).
* [[Color Coded for Your Convenience]]: The Knights of the Round Table: brownish red (Arthur), navy blue (Léodagan), white (Lancelot), red (Karadoc, his brother and his wife), light blue (Perceval), green (Bohort), dark green (Calogrenant).
* [[Comically Missing the Point]]: Happens quite often, but if we have to quote one, Arthur in "La Pâte d'Amandes" ("Marzipan"), answering Guenièvre's [[Berserk Button]]:
* [[Comically Missing the Point]]: Happens quite often, but if we have to quote one, Arthur in "La Pâte d'Amandes" ("Marzipan"), answering Guenièvre's [[Berserk Button]]:
{{quote| '''Guenièvre:''' ''(hysterical)'' But before that, my life was crap, you understand!!! Greeting the chief-of-this, the king-of-that; always polite, always pretty... Symbol of the Briton Nation... There must be some compensations to all those bullshits! Always got to care of something, especially you because you got "responsibilties", AND WHO TAKES CARE OF ME IN THAT TIME?? WELL YES, now that there's no marzipan anymore, I'm milling around, I AM ON EEEEEDGE!!! ''(sobbing)''... I've got no friends, no hobbies... Since you don't touch me, I can sit on the facts of love, figuratively speaking, so I buried myself in marzipan... And when I look at you, and I see the way you treat me, I think I better go from here to Rome by foot to get some marzipan because it's actually the best thing that ever happened to me...<br />
{{quote|'''Guenièvre:''' ''(hysterical)'' But before that, my life was crap, you understand!!! Greeting the chief-of-this, the king-of-that; always polite, always pretty... Symbol of the Briton Nation... There must be some compensations to all those bullshits! Always got to care of something, especially you because you got "responsibilties", AND WHO TAKES CARE OF ME IN THAT TIME?? WELL YES, now that there's no marzipan anymore, I'm milling around, I AM ON EEEEEDGE!!! ''(sobbing)''... I've got no friends, no hobbies... Since you don't touch me, I can sit on the facts of love, figuratively speaking, so I buried myself in marzipan... And when I look at you, and I see the way you treat me, I think I better go from here to Rome by foot to get some marzipan because it's actually the best thing that ever happened to me...
'''Arthur:''' ''(thoughtful)'' I don't think that you're really the "Symbol of the Briton Nation"... }}
'''Arthur:''' ''(thoughtful)'' I don't think that you're really the "Symbol of the Briton Nation"... }}
* [[The Comically Serious]]
* [[The Comically Serious]]
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** Sallustius in Livre VI.
** Sallustius in Livre VI.
* [[Cool Helmet]]: [[Inverted Trope]] and parodied -- the knights avoid putting on their helmets as much as possible, because it make them look stupid (even more than usual, for some).
* [[Cool Helmet]]: [[Inverted Trope]] and parodied -- the knights avoid putting on their helmets as much as possible, because it make them look stupid (even more than usual, for some).
* [[Cool Sword]]: Excalibur, a longsword that catches [[Flaming Sword|on fire]] when wielded by a person with an exceptional destiny.
* [[Cool Sword]]: Excalibur, a longsword that catches [[Flaming Sword|on fire]] when wielded by a person with an exceptional destiny.
* [[The Corrupter]]: Méléagant
* [[The Corrupter]]: Méléagant
* [[Deadpan Snarker]]: Arthur; Léodagan; Loth; Séli; Galessin... To be honest, those five are just the most regular; almost every character of the series gets some snarky lines. Even Lancelot.
* [[Deadpan Snarker]]: Arthur; Léodagan; Loth; Séli; Galessin... To be honest, those five are just the most regular; almost every character of the series gets some snarky lines. Even Lancelot.
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** Most especially Kadoc, Hervé de Rinel, and the Burgundian King.
** Most especially Kadoc, Hervé de Rinel, and the Burgundian King.
* [[Dumbass Has a Point]]: Perceval; for all his foolishness, he can sometimes prove surprisingly insightful. Even Léodagan admitted it once (about celebrating the birth of Alexander the Great):
* [[Dumbass Has a Point]]: Perceval; for all his foolishness, he can sometimes prove surprisingly insightful. Even Léodagan admitted it once (about celebrating the birth of Alexander the Great):
{{quote| '''Perceval:''' What do we care about a guy that's been dead for centuries?<br />
{{quote|'''Perceval:''' What do we care about a guy that's been dead for centuries?
'''Léodagan:''' [[I Can't Believe I'm Saying This|This is going to sound weird, but...]] I rather agree with him. }}
'''Léodagan:''' [[I Can't Believe I'm Saying This|This is going to sound weird, but...]] I rather agree with him. }}
* [[The Dung Ages]]: Arthur is the only one in the series remotely concerned about personal hygiene. Some supporting characters have never taken a bath in their lives, and are in fact unacquainted with the very concept.
* [[The Dung Ages]]: Arthur is the only one in the series remotely concerned about personal hygiene. Some supporting characters have never taken a bath in their lives, and are in fact unacquainted with the very concept.
* [[Dungeon Crawling]]: Several of the earlier episodes are typical underground explorations, with plenty spoofs of RPGs. [[One of Us|The series' author is an avowed RPGer]] (notably, of ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (Tabletop Game)|Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]]'').
* [[Dungeon Crawling]]: Several of the earlier episodes are typical underground explorations, with plenty spoofs of RPGs. [[One of Us|The series' author is an avowed RPGer]] (notably, of ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]]'').
* [[Ear Worm]]: In-universe example with ''À la volette''. Just like Arthur, now every fan remembers this traditional French song. Because it stays.
* [[Ear Worm]]: In-universe example with ''À la volette''. Just like Arthur, now every fan remembers this traditional French song. Because it stays.
* [[Everyone Calls Him Barkeep]]: The weaponmaster ("Le maître d'armes"); the innkeeper ("Le tavernier"); the witch hunter ("Le Répurgateur")
* [[Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep"]]: The weaponmaster ("Le maître d'armes"); the innkeeper ("Le tavernier"); the witch hunter ("Le Répurgateur")
* [[Excalibur in The Stone]]
* [[Excalibur in the Stone]]
* [[Face Palm]]: Often.
* [[Face Palm]]: Often.
* [[Fast Forward Gag]]: Used at least twice, the first time being a clear [[Shout Out]] to ''[[The Benny Hill Show]]''.
* [[Fast-Forward Gag]]: Used at least twice, the first time being a clear [[Shout-Out]] to ''[[The Benny Hill Show]]''.
* [[Flanderization]]: On two characters:
* [[Flanderization]]: On two characters:
** Hervé de Rinel. At first, he was the less talkative Knight of the Round Table. Then, in Livre III, he became quite an idiot. Then, in Livre IV and V, he became so idiotic that even the chief of the [[Medieval Morons]] came to see Arthur and tell him that "Life is too hard for someone like him..."
** Hervé de Rinel. At first, he was the less talkative Knight of the Round Table. Then, in Livre III, he became quite an idiot. Then, in Livre IV and V, he became so idiotic that even the chief of the [[Medieval Morons]] came to see Arthur and tell him that "Life is too hard for someone like him..."
** Karadoc, even though he is [[Cloudcuckoolander|already]] [[Small Name Big Ego|quite]] [[Jerkass|damaged]], still manages to get this.
** Karadoc, even though he is [[Cloudcuckoolander|already]] [[Small Name, Big Ego|quite]] [[Jerkass|damaged]], still manages to get this.
* [[Flat What]]: A lot.
* [[Flat What]]: A lot.
* [[Food Fight]]: Between Arthur, Karadoc and Perceval with cottage cheese.
* [[Food Fight]]: Between Arthur, Karadoc and Perceval with cottage cheese.
* [[Freudian Trio]]: The main leaders of the kingdom:
** Arthur -- Ego
** Lancelot -- Superego (sometimes replaced by Bohort)
** Léodagan -- Id
* [[Funetik Aksent]]: Any transcription of the Burgund king's lines ends up with this.
* [[Funetik Aksent]]: Any transcription of the Burgund king's lines ends up with this.
* [[Gasshole]]
* [[Gasshole]]
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* [[Genius Ditz]]: Perceval
* [[Genius Ditz]]: Perceval
* [[Genre Savvy]]: Father Blaise, and, to some extend, Arthur and the other knights.
* [[Genre Savvy]]: Father Blaise, and, to some extend, Arthur and the other knights.
{{quote| '''Father Blaise:''' ''(after being asked why he notes everything)'' To fit you into the legend! May I point out to you that between your dead horses and your ill horses, ''I'' have a legend to write!}}
{{quote|'''Father Blaise:''' ''(after being asked why he notes everything)'' To fit you into the legend! May I point out to you that between your dead horses and your ill horses, ''I'' have a legend to write!}}
* [[Girlfriend in Canada]]: Played with. [[Camp Straight|Bohort's]] wife is summoned to Kaamelott, but Bohort maintains that she arrived very late at night, after everyone went to bed, and has retired to her chambers with seasickness -- which is why nobody may see her. Turns out he's telling the truth.
* [[Girlfriend in Canada]]: Played with. [[Camp Straight|Bohort's]] wife is summoned to Kaamelott, but Bohort maintains that she arrived very late at night, after everyone went to bed, and has retired to her chambers with seasickness -- which is why nobody may see her. Turns out he's telling the truth.
* [[Giver of Lame Names]]: Gauvain & Yvain. Especially Gauvain. "Knight of the Pancreas", indeed.
* [[Giver of Lame Names]]: Gauvain & Yvain. Especially Gauvain. "Knight of the Pancreas", indeed.
{{quote| '''Gauvain:''' First, we're joyful. Second, we travel by foot. Therefore, I suggest an appropriated nickname... The Gay Ramblers.}}
{{quote|'''Gauvain:''' First, we're joyful. Second, we travel by foot. Therefore, I suggest an appropriated nickname... The Gay Ramblers.}}
* [[Global Ignorance]]: A lot of characters besides Arthur.
* [[Global Ignorance]]: A lot of characters besides Arthur.
** Hervé de Rinel, after a grand tour of Britannia, concludes that the island is round. Worse than that is when he adds, to be more convincing, "I went around it twice to be sure!"
** Hervé de Rinel, after a grand tour of Britannia, concludes that the island is round. Worse than that is when he adds, to be more convincing, "I went around it twice to be sure!"
** Séli has basically no idea of geography: she doesn't know where Aquitaine, the Pyrénées, or Burdigala<ref>Roman name for the city of Bordeaux</ref> are.
** Séli has basically no idea of geography: she doesn't know where Aquitaine, the Pyrénées, or Burdigala<ref>Roman name for the city of Bordeaux</ref> are.
** And then there's Robyn:
** And then there's Robyn:
{{quote| '''Robyn:''' But wait, isn't there a common border between Britain and Byzantium?}}
{{quote|'''Robyn:''' But wait, isn't there a common border between Britain and Byzantium?}}
* [[Glowing Eyes]]: Arthur and Léodagan were afflicted by this for a while after Merlin misfired a spell (to make plants grow...). Léodagan, especially, wasn't happy about the pinkish glow of his eyes.
* [[Glowing Eyes]]: Arthur and Léodagan were afflicted by this for a while after Merlin misfired a spell (to make plants grow...). Léodagan, especially, wasn't happy about the pinkish glow of his eyes.
* [[Government Conspiracy]]: Parodied in the episode "Silbury Hill II", with Arthur and Co. trying to hide {{spoiler|an alien visitation (maybe)}}.
* [[Government Conspiracy]]: Parodied in the episode "Silbury Hill II", with Arthur and Co. trying to hide {{spoiler|an alien visitation (maybe)}}.
* [[Grievous Harm With a Body]]: While complaining about the enormous appetites, drunken singing and lack of manners of the clan chieftains Kaamelott is hosting, Séli adds:
* [[Grievous Harm with a Body]]: While complaining about the enormous appetites, drunken singing and lack of manners of the clan chieftains Kaamelott is hosting, Séli adds:
{{quote| '''Séli:''' And then they fight with the servants.<br />
{{quote|'''Séli:''' And then they fight with the servants.
''([[Beat|blank stare from Arthur]])''<br />
''([[Beat|blank stare from Arthur]])''<br />
'''Séli:''' They fight ''with'' the servants.<br />
'''Séli:''' They fight ''with'' the servants.<br />
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* [[Hanging Judge]]: Léodagan, Minister of Justice. He also burns people at the stake -- in his defense, that's considered entertainment.
* [[Hanging Judge]]: Léodagan, Minister of Justice. He also burns people at the stake -- in his defense, that's considered entertainment.
* [[Heroic Comedic Sociopath]]: Léodagan
* [[Heroic Comedic Sociopath]]: Léodagan
* [[Historical in Joke]]
* [[Historical In-Joke]]
** Calogrenant, the king of Caledonia (Scotland), shows up with his butt wrapped in a quilted bedcover because his armor has rusted from a fall in a puddle. However the rules of the Round Table specify that every knight must show up properly dressed OR dressed in his country's traditional garb. Thus, the unproper but convenient improvised quilted bedcover skirt retroactively becomes the official costume of Caledonia.
** Calogrenant, the king of Caledonia (Scotland), shows up with his butt wrapped in a quilted bedcover because his armor has rusted from a fall in a puddle. However the rules of the Round Table specify that every knight must show up properly dressed OR dressed in his country's traditional garb. Thus, the unproper but convenient improvised quilted bedcover skirt retroactively becomes the official costume of Caledonia.
** Also, when Karadoc invents the croque-monsieur.
** Also, when Karadoc invents the croque-monsieur.
* [[Honest Johns Dealership]] / [[Snake Oil Salesman]]: Venec can provide you anything for really decent prices.
* [[Honest John's Dealership]] / [[Snake Oil Salesman]]: Venec can provide you anything for really decent prices.
* [[In My Language, That Sounds Like...]]: The Burgund king seems to find some Briton words inherently funny, notably "biography".
* [[Inept Mage]]: Merlin
* [[Inept Mage]]: Merlin
* [[In My Language That Sounds Like]]: The Burgund king seems to find some Briton words inherently funny, notably "biography".
* [[Insistent Terminology]]
* [[Insistent Terminology]]
** Livre V -- "Don't call me 'Sire'."
** Livre V -- "Don't call me 'Sire'."
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* [[It Will Never Catch On]]
* [[It Will Never Catch On]]
** The episode "L'Interprète" has the following discussion:
** The episode "L'Interprète" has the following discussion:
{{quote| '''Father Blaise:''' Oh, I wanted to ask you: How did you get into the burgundian culture?<br />
{{quote|'''Father Blaise:''' Oh, I wanted to ask you: How did you get into the burgundian culture?
'''Interpreter:''' ''(surprised)'' Burgundian culture? I didn't even know there was one. No, I wanted to study Modern Greek, but it was full; the only languages left were Burgundian or English. '''English'''! But that's even less widespread. }}
'''Interpreter:''' ''(surprised)'' Burgundian culture? I didn't even know there was one. No, I wanted to study Modern Greek, but it was full; the only languages left were Burgundian or English. '''English'''! But that's even less widespread. }}
** In another episode, when Merlin tries out "modern medecine" instead of magical healing, Arthur tells him it will never catch on. Though that's understandable, considering the best Merlin could come up with was throwing salt in an open wound....
** In another episode, when Merlin tries out "modern medecine" instead of magical healing, Arthur tells him it will never catch on. Though that's understandable, considering the best Merlin could come up with was throwing salt in an open wound....
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* [[Lawful Stupid]]: Grüdü can follow orders to the exclusion of common sense.
* [[Lawful Stupid]]: Grüdü can follow orders to the exclusion of common sense.
* [[Lethal Chef]]: Séli
* [[Lethal Chef]]: Séli
{{quote| '''Séli:''' Well, I cooked something that's not too shabby: some kind of tart, with onions, cabbage, celery and spices.<br />
{{quote|'''Séli:''' Well, I cooked something that's not too shabby: some kind of tart, with onions, cabbage, celery and spices.
''(they taste it)''<br />
''(they taste it)''
'''Séli:''' So?<br />
'''Séli:''' So?
'''Bohort:''' ''(embarassed)'' It's... interesting...<br />
'''Bohort:''' ''(embarassed)'' It's... interesting...
'''Arthur:''' The more interesting part being: how do you manage to cook something that foul with normal ingredients.<br />
'''Arthur:''' The more interesting part being: how do you manage to cook something that foul with normal ingredients.
'''Séli:''' ''(shocked)'' Foul???<br />
'''Séli:''' ''(shocked)'' Foul???
'''Bohort:''' Well, you can say it's... um, a ''particular'' taste...<br />
'''Bohort:''' Well, you can say it's... um, a ''particular'' taste...
'''Arthur:''' It's incredible, it's like eating dirt, and cow dung, and gravel, it smells like a henhouse, but it really is celery and onions. It's amazing. }}
'''Arthur:''' It's incredible, it's like eating dirt, and cow dung, and gravel, it smells like a henhouse, but it really is celery and onions. It's amazing. }}
* [[Lovable Coward]]: Everybody except Arthur, Lancelot, and Léodagan. Bohort stands out as the most acute case.
* [[Lovable Coward]]: Everybody except Arthur, Lancelot, and Léodagan. Bohort stands out as the most acute case.
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* [[Malaproper]]
* [[Malaproper]]
** Perceval and Karadoc's dialogues are hilarious when they try to use big words.
** Perceval and Karadoc's dialogues are hilarious when they try to use big words.
{{quote| '''Karadoc:''' ''(to Arthur, through the door of his bedroom)'' We are wily-nilly used by you to achieve on an end!<br />
{{quote|'''Karadoc:''' ''(to Arthur, through the door of his bedroom)'' We are wily-nilly used by you to achieve on an end!
'''Arthur:''' What???<br />
'''Arthur:''' What???
'''Karadoc:''' We are willy-nilly used by you to achieve on an end!<br />
'''Karadoc:''' We are willy-nilly used by you to achieve on an end!
''(beat)''<br />
''(beat)''
'''Arthur:''' ''(opening the door, thoughtful)'' You are ''unwillingly'' used by me to achieve ''my'' ends?<br />
'''Arthur:''' ''(opening the door, thoughtful)'' You are ''unwillingly'' used by me to achieve ''my'' ends?
'''Karadoc:''' Oh yeah, that's better...<br />
'''Karadoc:''' Oh yeah, that's better...
'''Perceval:''' The turn of phrase is more gradual...<br />
'''Perceval:''' The turn of phrase is more gradual...
'''Arthur:''' ... Clearer?<br />
'''Arthur:''' ... Clearer?
'''Perceval:''' Clearer, yeah.<br />
'''Perceval:''' Clearer, yeah.
'''Arthur:''' ''(half-proud, half-amused)'' Did you notice that I understand you better and better?<br />
'''Arthur:''' ''(half-proud, half-amused)'' Did you notice that I understand you better and better?
'''Perceval:''' Yes, that's what I was just thinking about right now.<br />
'''Perceval:''' Yes, that's what I was just thinking about right now.
'''Karadoc:''' Quicker and quicker, at least.<br />
'''Karadoc:''' Quicker and quicker, at least.
'''Perceval:''' It's more spindly!<br />
'''Perceval:''' It's more spindly!
'''Arthur:''' ... More fluent?<br />
'''Arthur:''' ... More fluent?
'''Perceval:''' Right. }}
'''Perceval:''' Right. }}
** The Burgund king has no idea of what he's saying, including such gems as "the flower in the bouquet withers... and is ''never'' reborn!", "I appreciate fruits in syrup", "Not change plate for the cheese!" and "strong in apples". He also starts sniggering at "biography".
** The Burgund king has no idea of what he's saying, including such gems as "the flower in the bouquet withers... and is ''never'' reborn!", "I appreciate fruits in syrup", "Not change plate for the cheese!" and "strong in apples". He also starts sniggering at "biography".
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* [[Midnight Snack]]: Karadoc often sneaks to the kitchen in the middle of the night to have one.
* [[Midnight Snack]]: Karadoc often sneaks to the kitchen in the middle of the night to have one.
* [[Mistaken for Gay]]
* [[Mistaken for Gay]]
** Lancelot in-verse.
** Lancelot in-verse.
** Bohort (Bors), who was [[Mistaken for Gay|assumed]] [[Ambiguously Gay|to be gay]] by the audience until the writer [[Jossed|showed him married]] in one episode, just because he was tired of this assumption.
** Bohort (Bors), who was [[Mistaken for Gay|assumed]] [[Ambiguously Gay|to be gay]] by the audience until the writer [[Jossed|showed him married]] in one episode, just because he was tired of this assumption.
* [[Obnoxious in Laws]]: Arguments between Arthur and his family-in-law are common.
* [[Obnoxious In-Laws]]: Arguments between Arthur and his family-in-law are common.
* [[Only Sane Man]]: Arthur, and (in his own opinion) Lancelot.
* [[Only Sane Man]]: Arthur, and (in his own opinion) Lancelot.
* [[Our Gods Are Greater]]: Played with. The series is creatively ambiguous about which gods, if any, exist. Arthur has formally converted to Christianity for the sake of convenience but isn't much of a believer (in fact, he prays to Mars at one point), and retains an overtly pagan wizard on his payroll. It's even [[Lampshade Hanging|lampshaded]] by Arthur when the Lady of the Lake tries to make Arthur feel guilty for praying to Mars.
* [[Our Gods Are Greater]]: Played with. The series is creatively ambiguous about which gods, if any, exist. Arthur has formally converted to Christianity for the sake of convenience but isn't much of a believer (in fact, he prays to Mars at one point), and retains an overtly pagan wizard on his payroll. It's even [[Lampshade Hanging|lampshaded]] by Arthur when the Lady of the Lake tries to make Arthur feel guilty for praying to Mars.
{{quote| '''Arthur:''' Praying to Mars?? ''(laughs)'' Praying to Mars...<br />
{{quote|'''Arthur:''' Praying to Mars?? ''(laughs)'' Praying to Mars...
''(beat)''<br />
''(beat)''
'''Arthur:''' ... Yeah, Maybe. So What?<br />
'''Arthur:''' ... Yeah, Maybe. So What?
'''Lady of the Lake:''' Are you kidding me?? You're praying to a roman god! May I remind you, for your information, that you're ''quite'' commited to a quest in the name of the One God...<br />
'''Lady of the Lake:''' Are you kidding me?? You're praying to a roman god! May I remind you, for your information, that you're ''quite'' commited to a quest in the name of the One God...
'''Arthur:''' [[Armor Piercing Question|Because the One God is Celtic?]]<br />
'''Arthur:''' [[Armor-Piercing Question|Because the One God is Celtic?]]<br />
'''Lady of the Lake:''' ''(bewildered)'' Huh... Hmm... Well, he's the One.<br />
'''Lady of the Lake:''' ''(bewildered)'' Huh... Hmm... Well, he's the One.<br />
'''Arthur:''' Yeah, right. And you, with your orange hair and your skin as white as a dairyman's crap, you're not Celtic?<br />
'''Arthur:''' Yeah, right. And you, with your orange hair and your skin as white as a dairyman's crap, you're not Celtic?<br />
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* [[Platonic Prostitution]]: Perceval in episode "L'Habitué".
* [[Platonic Prostitution]]: Perceval in episode "L'Habitué".
* [[Poke the Poodle]]: Bohort's "insults".
* [[Poke the Poodle]]: Bohort's "insults".
* [[Power Trio]]: The main leaders of the kingdom:
** Arthur -- Ego
** Lancelot -- Superego (sometimes replaced by Bohort)
** Léodagan -- Id
* [[Prequel]]: Save for the last episode, all of Livre VI.
* [[Prequel]]: Save for the last episode, all of Livre VI.
* [[Protagonist Centered Morality]]: [[Invoked Trope]] by Venec, who doesn't attack people he has done business with (and will likely do business with again); he ''will'' rob them on occasions, though.
* [[Protagonist-Centered Morality]]: [[Invoked Trope]] by Venec, who doesn't attack people he has done business with (and will likely do business with again); he ''will'' rob them on occasions, though.
* [[Psychopomp]]
* [[Psychopomp]]
** The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankou Ankou].
** The [[wikipedia:Ankou|Ankou]].
** And Morgane for heroes like Arthur. Although she was a bit early...
** And Morgane for heroes like Arthur. Although she was a bit early...
* [[Public Domain Character|Public Domain Characters]]
* [[Public Domain Character|Public Domain Characters]]
* [[Quip to Black]]: A rare [[Inverted Trope|inversion]]. Most episodes end with a [[Beat]], a black screen and a one-liner (a [[Deadpan Snarker|snark]] or something [[The Ditz|absurd]]).
* [[Quip to Black]]: A rare [[Inverted Trope|inversion]]. Most episodes end with a [[Beat]], a black screen and a one-liner (a [[Deadpan Snarker|snark]] or something [[The Ditz|absurd]]).
* [[Ragtag Bunch of Misfits]]: The Knights of the Round Table. God, where do we start? [[The Fool|Perceval]], [[Cloudcuckoolander|Karadoc]], [[Lovable Coward|Bohort, Gauvain, Yvain]], [[Blood Knight|Léodagan]], [[The Ditz|Hervé de Rinel]], [[Well Intentioned Extremist|Lancelot]], [[Jerkass|Galessin]]...
* [[Ragtag Bunch of Misfits]]: The Knights of the Round Table. God, where do we start? [[The Fool|Perceval]], [[Cloudcuckoolander|Karadoc]], [[Lovable Coward|Bohort, Gauvain, Yvain]], [[Blood Knight|Léodagan]], [[The Ditz|Hervé de Rinel]], [[Well-Intentioned Extremist|Lancelot]], [[Jerkass|Galessin]]...
* [[The Rainman]]: Perceval
* [[The Rainman]]: Perceval
* [[Rapid Fire Comedy]]
* [[Rapid-Fire Comedy]]
* [[The Reason You Suck Speech]]: There are a few during the series, but the scene of the Round Table in "The Return of the King" (in Livre V) is often considered a raging, liberating, howling-at-the-moon [[Moment of Awesome]] by the fans, considering whom it is given to. Context : by some improbable twists of fate, Karadoc (who, in Livre V, is [[Cloudcuckoolander|that]] [[Jerkass|kind]] [[The Ditz|of]] [[Up to Eleven|character]]), has been crowned king by his wife [[Manipulative Bastard|Mevanwi]]. Then, when Arthur came back from a quest, during the Round Table meeting, he and Perceval invite Arthur, and give a [[The Reason You Suck Speech]] to every knight in attendance, and to Arthur in particular (they don't know the purpose of Arthur's quest, i.e. find out if he's got children somewhere). Speech to which Arthur replies with one of his own, delivered in one of the calmest voice ever, with a bittersweet music in the background.
* [["The Reason You Suck" Speech]]: There are a few during the series, but the scene of the Round Table in "The Return of the King" (in Livre V) is often considered a raging, liberating, howling-at-the-moon [[Moment of Awesome]] by the fans, considering whom it is given to. Context : by some improbable twists of fate, Karadoc (who, in Livre V, is [[Cloudcuckoolander|that]] [[Jerkass|kind]] [[The Ditz|of]] [[Up to Eleven|character]]), has been crowned king by his wife [[Manipulative Bastard|Mevanwi]]. Then, when Arthur came back from a quest, during the Round Table meeting, he and Perceval invite Arthur, and give a [["The Reason You Suck" Speech]] to every knight in attendance, and to Arthur in particular (they don't know the purpose of Arthur's quest, i.e. find out if he's got children somewhere). Speech to which Arthur replies with one of his own, delivered in one of the calmest voice ever, with a bittersweet music in the background.
{{quote| '''Karadoc:''' Lord Arthur is back from a quest; maybe he can say something about it?<br />
{{quote|'''Karadoc:''' Lord Arthur is back from a quest; maybe he can say something about it?
'''Arthur:''' No.<br />
'''Arthur:''' No.
'''Perceval:''' Come on, at least tell us if it was successful, don't be shy.<br />
'''Perceval:''' Come on, at least tell us if it was successful, don't be shy.
'''Arthur:''' ''(sighs)'' ... No, it wasn't.<br />
'''Arthur:''' ''(sighs)'' ... No, it wasn't.
'''Karadoc:''' Okay... No Comment...<br />
'''Karadoc:''' Okay... No Comment...
'''Perceval:''' ''(sarcastic)'' I can see that there have been some major achievements, this week, again. What did you heroes do, apart from scratching your own feet?<br />
'''Perceval:''' ''(sarcastic)'' I can see that there have been some major achievements, this week, again. What did you heroes do, apart from scratching your own feet?
'''Léodagan:''' You know what "we heroes" have to say to that?<br />
'''Léodagan:''' You know what "we heroes" have to say to that?
'''Perceval:''' Yeah, right... When it comes to being unpleasant, you're proficient.<br />
'''Perceval:''' Yeah, right... When it comes to being unpleasant, you're proficient.
[...]<br />
[...]
'''Karadoc:''' No, it's okay, do nothing. Finding the Grail will be a piece of cake...<br />
'''Karadoc:''' No, it's okay, do nothing. Finding the Grail will be a piece of cake...
'''Perceval:''' It's not that difficult to put some effort in it...<br />
'''Perceval:''' It's not that difficult to put some effort in it...
'''Karadoc:''' ''(getting angry)'' Lord Arthur, apparently you travelled across the whole country by foot; don't you think you could have taken a look? No no, me myself an me, always, always, always!!!<br />
'''Karadoc:''' ''(getting angry)'' Lord Arthur, apparently you travelled across the whole country by foot; don't you think you could have taken a look? No no, me myself an me, always, always, always!!!
'''Perceval:''' ''(disappointed)'' You really didn't brought anything back? Not even a small clue?<br />
'''Perceval:''' ''(disappointed)'' You really didn't brought anything back? Not even a small clue?
''(Arthur shakes his head)''<br />
''(Arthur shakes his head)''
'''Karadoc:''' ''(sarcastic)'' Well done, then. Everyone else? Any news?<br />
'''Karadoc:''' ''(sarcastic)'' Well done, then. Everyone else? Any news?
[...]<br />
[...]
'''Perceval:''' ''(thumps the table)'' I can't believe it! You think you can fool us?!<br />
'''Perceval:''' ''(thumps the table)'' I can't believe it! You think you can fool us?!
'''Karadoc:''' I'm warning you...<br />
'''Karadoc:''' I'm warning you...
'''Arthur:''' ''(interrupts)'' I did build a stronghold, at least.<br />
'''Arthur:''' ''(interrupts)'' I did build a stronghold, at least.
'''Perceval:''' ... What?<br />
'''Perceval:''' ... What?
'''Arthur:''' ''(very calmly, with a put out look)'' For the Grail. I did build a stronghold. Kaamelott, they call it. I sought and hired knights in the whole kingdom; in Caledonia, in Carmelid, in Gaunes, in Vannes, in Wales; I ordered a big table, to have the knights sitting together; I ordered it round, to prevent having a knight sitting in a corner, or at the end of it; it was complicated, so I tried to explain what was the Grail, to make sure everyone understand; it was hard, so I tried to laugh, to make sure nobody got bored; I failed; ''(stares at Karadoc and Perceval)'' but I don't want anyone to say that I did nothing. Because it's not true.<br />
'''Arthur:''' ''(very calmly, with a put out look)'' For the Grail. I did build a stronghold. Kaamelott, they call it. I sought and hired knights in the whole kingdom; in Caledonia, in Carmelid, in Gaunes, in Vannes, in Wales; I ordered a big table, to have the knights sitting together; I ordered it round, to prevent having a knight sitting in a corner, or at the end of it; it was complicated, so I tried to explain what was the Grail, to make sure everyone understand; it was hard, so I tried to laugh, to make sure nobody got bored; I failed; ''(stares at Karadoc and Perceval)'' but I don't want anyone to say that I did nothing. Because it's not true.
''(silence)''<br />
''(silence)''
'''Perceval:''' ''(embarassed)'' Come on Sire, you know you must not take what we say seriously; you know that we are fools...<br />
'''Perceval:''' ''(embarassed)'' Come on Sire, you know you must not take what we say seriously; you know that we are fools...
'''Arthur:''' ''(nods, depressed)'' Stop calling me Sire. }}
'''Arthur:''' ''(nods, depressed)'' Stop calling me Sire. }}
* [[Retcon]]: Quite a few, since the first Livre was just a succession of funny episodes without any plot. Those are always minor details, though.
* [[Retcon]]: Quite a few, since the first Livre was just a succession of funny episodes without any plot. Those are always minor details, though.
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** [Character searching a word, asking to Arthur] > [Arthur suggesting the right word] > "Nah, [said word], that's everything happening in the countryside, isn't it?"
** [Character searching a word, asking to Arthur] > [Arthur suggesting the right word] > "Nah, [said word], that's everything happening in the countryside, isn't it?"
* [[Sarcasm Blind]]: Perceval
* [[Sarcasm Blind]]: Perceval
{{quote| ''(after Perceval tells him that he's going to relate his last adventure)''<br />
{{quote|''(after Perceval tells him that he's going to relate his last adventure)''
'''Arthur:''' I imagine that this really will be ''[[Sarcasm Mode|epic]]'', once more.<br />
'''Arthur:''' I imagine that this really will be ''[[Sarcasm Mode|epic]]'', once more.<br />
'''Perceval:''' Well, no, I guess that this will be quite lame. }}
'''Perceval:''' Well, no, I guess that this will be quite lame. }}
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* [[Serious Business]]: Father Blaise is ''not'' happy with the introduction of the tritone (a.k.a. ''diabolus in musica'') in religious music.
* [[Serious Business]]: Father Blaise is ''not'' happy with the introduction of the tritone (a.k.a. ''diabolus in musica'') in religious music.
* [[Servile Snarker]]: Angharad
* [[Servile Snarker]]: Angharad
* [[Sex Is Cool]]: Completely subverted:
* [[Sex Is Cool]]: Completely subverted:
** The main character, Arthur, cheats so many times on his wife with numerous mistresses or one-night stands that he would be considered a lecher nowadays. Everytime his relationships are evoked, it becomes a source of comical relief or even humiliation for him or his wife. Oh, and of course, the only woman he doesn't touch at all is his wife.
** The main character, Arthur, cheats so many times on his wife with numerous mistresses or one-night stands that he would be considered a lecher nowadays. Everytime his relationships are evoked, it becomes a source of comical relief or even humiliation for him or his wife. Oh, and of course, the only woman he doesn't touch at all is his wife.
** When it comes to the rest of the knights, five of them are seen with a wife throughout the show: Léodagan, who seems to be quite faithful (emphasis on the ''quite''), Bohort, who live away from his wife and took a vow of chastity, Karadoc, who considers sex to be "something necessary to make children, and that's it", Lancelot, who doesn't even know how to make love theoretically and King Loth, who never mentions his wife without the word "bitch", or other synonyms.
** When it comes to the rest of the knights, five of them are seen with a wife throughout the show: Léodagan, who seems to be quite faithful (emphasis on the ''quite''), Bohort, who live away from his wife and took a vow of chastity, Karadoc, who considers sex to be "something necessary to make children, and that's it", Lancelot, who doesn't even know how to make love theoretically and King Loth, who never mentions his wife without the word "bitch", or other synonyms.
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* [[Shell Game]]: Perceval, thanks to his [[Idiot Savant]] status, just can't lose at this game despite all the gambler's efforts.
* [[Shell Game]]: Perceval, thanks to his [[Idiot Savant]] status, just can't lose at this game despite all the gambler's efforts.
* [[Shock and Awe]]: King Loth can throw lightning.
* [[Shock and Awe]]: King Loth can throw lightning.
* [[Shout Out]]: A lot.
* [[Shout-Out]]: A lot.
** Two episodes are named "[[Stargate]]"...
** Two episodes are named "[[Stargate]]"...
** And one of them features [[Laser Blade|a lightsaber]] from [[Star Wars (Franchise)|a desert planet with several moons]].
** And one of them features [[Laser Blade|a lightsaber]] from [[Star Wars|a desert planet with several moons]].
** Also, an episode called "The Phantom Menace".
** Also, an episode called "The Phantom Menace".
** Another has Arthur visiting central Europe, gets bitten in the neck by a local, and gets [[Our Vampires Are Different|all moody, grows long fangs and cellos start playing in the background whenever he talks]].
** Another has Arthur visiting central Europe, gets bitten in the neck by a local, and gets [[Our Vampires Are Different|all moody, grows long fangs and cellos start playing in the background whenever he talks]].
** A guy called [[Robin Hood|Robyn]], fighting for the poor...
** A guy called [[Robin Hood|Robyn]], fighting for the poor...
** In Livre IV, there's an episode with a dialogue between Arthur and Lancelot copied on the one in ''[[Heat]]''.
** In Livre IV, there's an episode with a dialogue between Arthur and Lancelot copied on the one in ''[[Heat]]''.
** Venec, slave trader (among other activities), explains in an episode that he's got an Egyptian architect, and that he had to give three gladiators to get him at Glastonbury fair. Glastonbury is a town which is heavily related to the Arthurian Myths (it is supposed to be a possible location of the Isle of Avalon, and King Arthur's grave can be found in the Glastonbury Abbey).
** Venec, slave trader (among other activities), explains in an episode that he's got an Egyptian architect, and that he had to give three gladiators to get him at Glastonbury fair. Glastonbury is a town which is heavily related to the Arthurian Myths (it is supposed to be a possible location of the Isle of Avalon, and King Arthur's grave can be found in the Glastonbury Abbey).
** Two for ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay (Tabletop Game)|Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]]'': The equivalent of the inquisitor is called the Witch Hunter ("Le Répurgateur"). And one episode even mention a dungeon full of Skavens.
** Two for ''[[Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay]]'': The equivalent of the inquisitor is called the Witch Hunter ("Le Répurgateur"). And one episode even mention a dungeon full of Skavens.
** In Livre V, the episode where Arthur comes back to Kaamelott is called [[The Lord of the Rings (Literature)|"The Return of the King"]]...
** In Livre V, the episode where Arthur comes back to Kaamelott is called [[The Lord of the Rings|"The Return of the King"]]...
** Actually, there is a quite a lot of episodes with a "shouting" title. Without quoting those above, we can find: "[[Angels and Demons]]", "All the World's Mornings" (a french novel), "[[Alone in The Dark]]", "[[Double Dragon (Video Game)|Double Dragon]]", "[[Life Is Beautiful]]", "[[Aerosmith (Music)|Dream On]]", "[[Goodfellas (Film)|Goodfellas]]", "[[Shakespeare in Love|Arthur in Love]]"... And many, ''many'' others.
** Actually, there is a quite a lot of episodes with a "shouting" title. Without quoting those above, we can find: "[[Angels & Demons]]", "All the World's Mornings" (a french novel), "[[Alone in the Dark]]", "[[Double Dragon]]", "[[Life Is Beautiful]]", "[[Aerosmith|Dream On]]", "[[Goodfellas]]", "[[Shakespeare in Love|Arthur in Love]]"... And many, ''many'' others.
* [[Small Name Big Ego]]: Perceval and Karadoc. To the point that, in some occasions, they manage to ''brag about how they epically failed a mission as if it was a victory.''
* [[Small Name, Big Ego]]: Perceval and Karadoc. To the point that, in some occasions, they manage to ''brag about how they epically failed a mission as if it was a victory.''
* [[Smug Snake]]: King Loth; Léodagan
* [[Smug Snake]]: King Loth; Léodagan
* [[Special Effects Failure]]: In-universe examples:
* [[Special Effects Failure]]: In-universe examples:
** One example is the [[In Name Only]] druid Merlin. He was supposed to set off a fireball, (which he couldn't if his life depended on it) and, well, failed to do so.
** One example is the [[In Name Only]] druid Merlin. He was supposed to set off a fireball, (which he couldn't if his life depended on it) and, well, failed to do so.
** Reversed (or maybe inverted) in an episode featuring Merlin's long-time rival Elias of Kelliwic'h. As Elias threatens Merlin and King Arthur, his magical staff begins to glow eerily, prompting everyone in the room to take cover. Elias is initially puzzled by their reaction, then explains that, "Oh no, no, it always does this. It's just for show."
** Reversed (or maybe inverted) in an episode featuring Merlin's long-time rival Elias of Kelliwic'h. As Elias threatens Merlin and King Arthur, his magical staff begins to glow eerily, prompting everyone in the room to take cover. Elias is initially puzzled by their reaction, then explains that, "Oh no, no, it always does this. It's just for show."
* [[Spin Off]]: The [[Comic Book Adaptation]]; six albums thus far.
* [[Spin-Off]]: The [[Comic Book Adaptation]]; six albums thus far.
* [[Spirit Advisor]]: The Lady of the Lake to Arthur. Though she's not very good at it....
* [[Spirit Advisor]]: The Lady of the Lake to Arthur. Though she's not very good at it....
* [[Straight Edge]] / [[The Teetotaler]]: The weaponmaster
* [[Straight Edge]] / [[The Teetotaler]]: The weaponmaster
* [[Strategy Schmategy]]: Arthur, when he is playing with the Burgundian King at a strategy game which he doesn't know any rules.
* [[Strategy Schmategy]]: Arthur, when he is playing with the Burgundian King at a strategy game which he doesn't know any rules.
* [[Stupid Statement Dance Mix]]: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb0ZWr38KS0 Courtesy of the Burgund king.]
* [[Stupid Statement Dance Mix]]: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb0ZWr38KS0 Courtesy of the Burgund king.]
* [[Surrounded By Idiots]]: A great deal.
* [[Surrounded by Idiots]]: A great deal.
* [[Take Our Word for It]]: Live version. Almost every battle only shows the commanders of the Briton army crying about the total inefficiency of their troops.
* [[Take Our Word for It]]: Live version. Almost every battle only shows the commanders of the Briton army crying about the total inefficiency of their troops.
* [[Those Two Guys]]: Karadoc & Perceval; Roparhz & Guethenoc; Yvain & Gauvain
* [[Those Two Guys]]: Karadoc & Perceval; Roparhz & Guethenoc; Yvain & Gauvain
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* [[Torture Always Works]]
* [[Torture Always Works]]
* [[Translation Convention]]: Occasionally averted. A summit with the Burgundian King required an interpreter. Also [[Played With]], since after that episode, we learn that the Burgundian King took some lessons in Arthur's language. [[The Ditz|Though what he says still doesn't make any sense]].
* [[Translation Convention]]: Occasionally averted. A summit with the Burgundian King required an interpreter. Also [[Played With]], since after that episode, we learn that the Burgundian King took some lessons in Arthur's language. [[The Ditz|Though what he says still doesn't make any sense]].
* [[Try to Fit That On A Business Card]]: When two wizards are about to duel (in any way), they must announce the complete titles and honors of the other.
* [[Try to Fit That on A Business Card]]: When two wizards are about to duel (in any way), they must announce the complete titles and honors of the other.
{{quote| '''Merlin:''' Elias de Kelliwi'ch; Great Enchanter of the North, Caller of the Caledonian Wolves, Slayer of the Dragon of Snows, Creator of the Potion of Omnipotence, Seer of...<br />
{{quote|'''Merlin:''' Elias de Kelliwi'ch; Great Enchanter of the North, Caller of the Caledonian Wolves, Slayer of the Dragon of Snows, Creator of the Potion of Omnipotence, Seer of...
'''Arthur:''' ''(interrupts)'' Enough! You don't need to spout off his entire resume, do you?<br />
'''Arthur:''' ''(interrupts)'' Enough! You don't need to spout off his entire resume, do you?
'''Merlin:''' It's a wizard thing; it's how we greet each other...<br />
'''Merlin:''' It's a wizard thing; it's how we greet each other...
'''Elias:''' Merlin; Enchanter of Britain, [[What Do You Mean Its Not Awesome|Defeater of the Winchester Weasel, Creator of the Potion of Ingrown Nails Cure]], Author of the scroll ''Druidism for Old Folks''...<br />
'''Elias:''' Merlin; Enchanter of Britain, [[What Do You Mean It's Not Awesome?|Defeater of the Winchester Weasel, Creator of the Potion of Ingrown Nails Cure]], Author of the scroll ''Druidism for Old Folks''...<br />
'''Merlin:''' ''(interrupts)'' Yeah, alright, alright. ''(to Arthur)'' You were right, it's gonna take forever. }}
'''Merlin:''' ''(interrupts)'' Yeah, alright, alright. ''(to Arthur)'' You were right, it's gonna take forever. }}
* [[Twin Threesome Fantasy]]: Played straight with Azilis and Tumet (but averted when Arthur can't stand to be kissed by Guenièvre and Démetra at once).
* [[Twin Threesome Fantasy]]: Played straight with Azilis and Tumet (but averted when Arthur can't stand to be kissed by Guenièvre and Démetra at once).
* [[Vetinari Job Security]]: When Arthur steps down from the throne of Britain, the knights find out handling the kingdom is more work that they can handle.
* [[Vetinari Job Security]]: When Arthur steps down from the throne of Britain, the knights find out handling the kingdom is more work that they can handle.
* [[Well Intentioned Extremist]]: {{spoiler|Lancelot}} at the end of the sixth season.
* [[Well-Intentioned Extremist]]: {{spoiler|Lancelot}} at the end of the sixth season.
* [[What the Fu Are You Doing]]: Karadoc and Perceval's "fighting techniques", all the time.
* [[What the Fu Are You Doing?]]: Karadoc and Perceval's "fighting techniques", all the time.
* [[You All Meet in An Inn]]: Karadoc and Perceval recruit their whole new clan in an inn, which becomes their "headquarters". Not surprising, since they're working there to pay over their huge debt to the innkeeper.
* [[You All Meet in An Inn]]: Karadoc and Perceval recruit their whole new clan in an inn, which becomes their "headquarters". Not surprising, since they're working there to pay over their huge debt to the innkeeper.
* [[You Fight Like a Cow]]: The weaponmaster's favorite schtick.
* [[You Fight Like a Cow]]: The weaponmaster's favorite schtick.
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=== The [[Comic Book Adaptation]] provides examples of: ===
=== The [[Comic Book Adaptation]] provides examples of: ===


* [[Failed a Spot Check]]: Karadoc and Perceval are rather oblivious as a general rule, but in ''Le Serpent Géant du lac de l'Ombre'' ("''The Giant Snake from Shadow Lake''"), they take it to a whole new level. While rowing on the title lake in search of the [[Stock Ness Monster|eponymous giant snake]], a huge coil of said monster rises above the water behind them... and they don't notice. Then its tail strikes their boat, and they wonder if they hit a rock. Finally, a stronger tail lash capsizes their boat and sends both in the water. Their conclusion? There's no giant snake in this damn lake, they're just wasting their time.
* [[Failed a Spot Check]]: Karadoc and Perceval are rather oblivious as a general rule, but in ''Le Serpent Géant du lac de l'Ombre'' ("''The Giant Snake from Shadow Lake''"), they take it to a whole new level. While rowing on the title lake in search of the [[Stock Ness Monster|eponymous giant snake]], a huge coil of said monster rises above the water behind them... and they don't notice. Then its tail strikes their boat, and they wonder if they hit a rock. Finally, a stronger tail lash capsizes their boat and sends both in the water. Their conclusion? There's no giant snake in this damn lake, they're just wasting their time.
* [[Give Chase With Angry Natives]]: In ''L'Armée du Nécromant'', Arthur and co. are climbing to the top of a mountain to defeat an evil necromancer. Along the way, they come across a gigantic [[Rodent of Unusual Size]], fortunately asleep. When things go wrong at the summit, they slide back down on improvised sleds, hurling stones at the rat as they pass. When the pursuing Necromancer arrives, the rat is awake and angry, and proceeds to eat him.
* [[Give Chase With Angry Natives]]: In ''L'Armée du Nécromant'', Arthur and co. are climbing to the top of a mountain to defeat an evil necromancer. Along the way, they come across a gigantic [[Rodent of Unusual Size]], fortunately asleep. When things go wrong at the summit, they slide back down on improvised sleds, hurling stones at the rat as they pass. When the pursuing Necromancer arrives, the rat is awake and angry, and proceeds to eat him.
* [[Our Liches Are Different]]: The Necromancer from the first album, ''L'Armée du Nécromant'' ("''The Necromancer's Army''").
* [[Our Liches Are Different]]: The Necromancer from the first album, ''L'Armée du Nécromant'' ("''The Necromancer's Army''").
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Kaamelott]]
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]]
[[Category:Series]]
[[Category:TV Series]]
[[Category:French Series]]
[[Category:Matter of Britain]]

Latest revision as of 15:21, 7 January 2023

C'est pas faux...

Kaamelott is a French series created and written by Alexandre Astier and aired on the French M6 broadcast since 2004. Its four first seasons (called "livres", french for "books") were composed of short episodes (about 3 and a half minutes each.) Early seasons parodied depictions of daily life at King Arthur's court and the knights' ineffective quest for the Holy Grail; but as the author grew more self-confident, it got spiced by more and more continuity (including Retcon at some point), half-serious story arcs. The fifth season then had longer episodes (7 minutes) and a Darker and Edgier tone.

The sixth season was aired in October 2009; it depicts Arthur's youth in Rome (partly filmed in the décors of the series of the same name, in Cinecittà.) Alexandre Astier also plans to make three movies.

Kaamelott originally replaced another successful series, Camera Cafe but soon became even more popular.

You can find the character sheet here.


Tropes used in Kaamelott include:
  • All Just a Dream: The whole episode "Dream On".
  • Altum Videtur
    • King Loth is very fond of meaningless Latin quotes.
    • Some episode titles are in Latin -- including every one of Livre VI (fittingly, as they mostly take place in Ancient Rome).
  • Anachronism Stew
    • Romans and Huns and Vikings and Saxons and Burgonds and Moors and Picts and Byzantines... all trying to invade Great Britain.
    • Venec knows an Egyptian architect, who specializes in building pyramids.
    • The Knights of the Round Table are often displayed in full plate armor, used in the 15th century, while the story takes place in the 5th century. Yet, to be fair, the designers of the show admitted themselves that they knew it was anachronistic, but got on with it because of the Rule of Cool.
  • Angrish: The weaponmaster is once reduced to this during an argument with Grüdü.
  • Animal Assassin: Grüdü the Bodyguard fears a scorpion attack on the king, given that a Roman imperator has been murdered like that.
  • Aren't You Going to Ravish Me?: Aelis, the first time she meets Arthur. He instead suggests she'd become a mistress... and she almost threatens to rape him.
  • Armor-Piercing Question: Arthur, to the Lady of the Lake (see the Our Gods Are Greater entry below); also, in Livre VI, one that is never answered, about the arranged marriage between Arthur and Guenièvre ("And if the chap doesn't manage to pull the sword out of the stone, is the marriage still happening?").
  • Arranged Marriage: Arthur and Guenièvre. Arthur makes it perfectly clear that he has married her for purely political reasons.
  • Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: In Livre VI. During a war council, right after everyone acknowledges that Loth tried to betray them, he justifies himself with a philosophical speech. Léodagan slowly walks away, then comes back with a spiked hammer.

Léodagan: (calmly) I am willing to forgive you for your attemted coups, your crooked schemes, your bogus alliances and everything else... However, if you don't shut up right now, and for good, (points the hammer) I'll use this to flatten your balls.

  • The Bartender: The innkeeper
  • Beat: Quite possibly the most used gag on the show, usually with Arthur unable to respond to whatever absymally stupid comment was just made except by staring and sighing.
  • Bed Trick: As with the original Arthurian legends, this is how Arthur was conceived, Pendragon using Merlin's Polymorphic Potion to take the appearance of Gorlay since he lusted after his wife, Ygerne. Arthur is dubious about the story, however, since to his knowledge Merlin is hardly able to cook anything, least a Polymorphic Potion.
  • Berserk Button
    • Don't get in-between Karadoc and food.
    • The weaponmaster is extremely touchy about his father's one-leggedness.
    • Gods help you if Bohort calls you a nonbeliever...
    • Letting Guenièvre realize there isn't marzipan anymore, after she ate it all, is NOT a good idea.
    • The things you won't survive if you do/say them in front of Father Blaise: peeing on the Chapel's wall, being Perceval telling a story, singing/whistling/playing something that is not a fourth, a fifth or a unison.
  • The Berserker: DO. NOT. GET. BOHORT. DRUNK.
  • Big Damn Heroes: In Livre V, Anna tries to convince Arthur to intercede with Léodagan for Loth and her. When he refuses, she has Loth zap him and puts a knife to his throat. Then Guenièvre bashes the both of them on the head with a stick. Arthur can only stare.
  • Big Eater: Karadoc. Just to put it in perspective, for those who don't know the show: in an episode, Arthur asks Karadoc how many meals does he eat in a day. The answer? If you count daytime meals and night snacks, Karadoc has eleven meals a day. Eleven.
  • Blatant Lies: In "L'abstinent", Arthur goes to great lengths to hide to his wife that he has sex with his mistresses. Even when she finds him and the twins naked and panting.
  • Book Ends: The unofficial Pilot for the series was a short film titled Dies iræ. The last episode of Livre VI, closing the TV series, is titled "Dies iræ".
  • Brutal Honesty
    • Léodagan. All the time.
    • Elias of Kelliwi'ch isn't shy about the truth either, especially toward Merlin.
    • Lancelot in an episode, toward Arthur.
  • Burn the Witch: The Répurgateur
  • Calvin Ball
    • Perceval is fond of totally unplayable games like "Contre-sirop" (Counter-syrup), "Raitournelle" (Raitornello), The Pelican (which involves filing a hundred artichokes from the smoothest to the most rough), and anything with lots of dice.
    • There's one other characters play, called Owl's Ass. Rules Not Included.
  • Casanova: Arthur is quite the womanizer. He has several mistresses at any one time, and doesn't mind the odd one-night stand with good-looking peasant women. This may have resulted in his fathering an unknown number of illegitimate children.
  • Catch Phrase
    • "C'est pas faux..." ("That ain't wrong...") is the default answer used by Perceval and Karadoc when they don't understand what people tell them. Which, given their stupidity, is quite often.
    • It doesn't take much for Bohort to state, "Nous allons tous mourir!" ("We're all going to die!")
    • "C'est de la merde." ("This is shit"), can be heard from Karadoc several times, when he gets to taste some bad food.
  • Cerebus Syndrome: When Lancelot left Arthur because of the blatant incompetence of the Round Table, the tone began to change, and at the end of the fourth season, everyone was warned that the fifth season would be Darker and Edgier. This trope is indeed called "Effet Kaamelott" in the French section of the Wiki.
  • Chekhov's Gun: In Livre VI, when Arthur discovers a dagger under his tutor's pillow, and then when, during the preparation of a party at Villa Aconia, the urban militia is not allowed to search her room. At first, it only shows the viewer that Aconia may be more than a tutor. It reappears later, when Arthur has to kill an Ostrogoth chief during the party to be promoted Dux Bellorum, while Glausia forbade weapons in the villa.
  • The Chosen Zero: In one episode, the kingdom runs into a problem that only Merlin can solve. So Arthur says, "Wait a minute, are you telling me our last hope is Merlin?" Cue concerned looks between all characters and Bohort saying it: "We're all gonna die!"
  • Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: King Loth

Loth: I have just one question: When are we betraying?

  • Cloudcuckoolander
    • Karadoc
    • Perceval, althought it is suggested that he might be The Fool, and eventually The Messiah.
    • In fact, in this show, Cloudcuckoolander works a bit like Deadpan Snarker: there are characters who are always like this (Perceval, Karadoc, Kadoc, Hervé de Rinel too), and the rest of the cast who get into that territory on some occasions (yes, even Arthur, in an episode).
  • Color Coded for Your Convenience: The Knights of the Round Table: brownish red (Arthur), navy blue (Léodagan), white (Lancelot), red (Karadoc, his brother and his wife), light blue (Perceval), green (Bohort), dark green (Calogrenant).
  • Comically Missing the Point: Happens quite often, but if we have to quote one, Arthur in "La Pâte d'Amandes" ("Marzipan"), answering Guenièvre's Berserk Button:

Guenièvre: (hysterical) But before that, my life was crap, you understand!!! Greeting the chief-of-this, the king-of-that; always polite, always pretty... Symbol of the Briton Nation... There must be some compensations to all those bullshits! Always got to care of something, especially you because you got "responsibilties", AND WHO TAKES CARE OF ME IN THAT TIME?? WELL YES, now that there's no marzipan anymore, I'm milling around, I AM ON EEEEEDGE!!! (sobbing)... I've got no friends, no hobbies... Since you don't touch me, I can sit on the facts of love, figuratively speaking, so I buried myself in marzipan... And when I look at you, and I see the way you treat me, I think I better go from here to Rome by foot to get some marzipan because it's actually the best thing that ever happened to me...
Arthur: (thoughtful) I don't think that you're really the "Symbol of the Briton Nation"...

  • The Comically Serious
    • Father Blaise
    • Sallustius in Livre VI.
  • Cool Helmet: Inverted Trope and parodied -- the knights avoid putting on their helmets as much as possible, because it make them look stupid (even more than usual, for some).
  • Cool Sword: Excalibur, a longsword that catches on fire when wielded by a person with an exceptional destiny.
  • The Corrupter: Méléagant
  • Deadpan Snarker: Arthur; Léodagan; Loth; Séli; Galessin... To be honest, those five are just the most regular; almost every character of the series gets some snarky lines. Even Lancelot.
  • Death of the Old Gods: The Lady of the Lake is both a servant of the Celtic pantheon and of "the one god", implying the former is in fact welcoming the rise of Christianity. Merlin, on the other hand, is less than thrilled.
  • The Ditz
    • Guenièvre, though she has some moment of brillance.
    • Most especially Kadoc, Hervé de Rinel, and the Burgundian King.
  • Dumbass Has a Point: Perceval; for all his foolishness, he can sometimes prove surprisingly insightful. Even Léodagan admitted it once (about celebrating the birth of Alexander the Great):

Perceval: What do we care about a guy that's been dead for centuries?
Léodagan: This is going to sound weird, but... I rather agree with him.

  • The Dung Ages: Arthur is the only one in the series remotely concerned about personal hygiene. Some supporting characters have never taken a bath in their lives, and are in fact unacquainted with the very concept.
  • Dungeon Crawling: Several of the earlier episodes are typical underground explorations, with plenty spoofs of RPGs. The series' author is an avowed RPGer (notably, of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay).
  • Ear Worm: In-universe example with À la volette. Just like Arthur, now every fan remembers this traditional French song. Because it stays.
  • Everyone Calls Him "Barkeep": The weaponmaster ("Le maître d'armes"); the innkeeper ("Le tavernier"); the witch hunter ("Le Répurgateur")
  • Excalibur in the Stone
  • Face Palm: Often.
  • Fast-Forward Gag: Used at least twice, the first time being a clear Shout-Out to The Benny Hill Show.
  • Flanderization: On two characters:
    • Hervé de Rinel. At first, he was the less talkative Knight of the Round Table. Then, in Livre III, he became quite an idiot. Then, in Livre IV and V, he became so idiotic that even the chief of the Medieval Morons came to see Arthur and tell him that "Life is too hard for someone like him..."
    • Karadoc, even though he is already quite damaged, still manages to get this.
  • Flat What: A lot.
  • Food Fight: Between Arthur, Karadoc and Perceval with cottage cheese.
  • Freudian Trio: The main leaders of the kingdom:
    • Arthur -- Ego
    • Lancelot -- Superego (sometimes replaced by Bohort)
    • Léodagan -- Id
  • Funetik Aksent: Any transcription of the Burgund king's lines ends up with this.
  • Gasshole
    • The Burgund king pretty much farts as punctuation.
    • Karadoc is also often described as such.
  • Genius Ditz: Perceval
  • Genre Savvy: Father Blaise, and, to some extend, Arthur and the other knights.

Father Blaise: (after being asked why he notes everything) To fit you into the legend! May I point out to you that between your dead horses and your ill horses, I have a legend to write!

  • Girlfriend in Canada: Played with. Bohort's wife is summoned to Kaamelott, but Bohort maintains that she arrived very late at night, after everyone went to bed, and has retired to her chambers with seasickness -- which is why nobody may see her. Turns out he's telling the truth.
  • Giver of Lame Names: Gauvain & Yvain. Especially Gauvain. "Knight of the Pancreas", indeed.

Gauvain: First, we're joyful. Second, we travel by foot. Therefore, I suggest an appropriated nickname... The Gay Ramblers.

  • Global Ignorance: A lot of characters besides Arthur.
    • Hervé de Rinel, after a grand tour of Britannia, concludes that the island is round. Worse than that is when he adds, to be more convincing, "I went around it twice to be sure!"
    • Séli has basically no idea of geography: she doesn't know where Aquitaine, the Pyrénées, or Burdigala[1] are.
    • And then there's Robyn:

Robyn: But wait, isn't there a common border between Britain and Byzantium?

  • Glowing Eyes: Arthur and Léodagan were afflicted by this for a while after Merlin misfired a spell (to make plants grow...). Léodagan, especially, wasn't happy about the pinkish glow of his eyes.
  • Government Conspiracy: Parodied in the episode "Silbury Hill II", with Arthur and Co. trying to hide an alien visitation (maybe).
  • Grievous Harm with a Body: While complaining about the enormous appetites, drunken singing and lack of manners of the clan chieftains Kaamelott is hosting, Séli adds:

Séli: And then they fight with the servants.
(blank stare from Arthur)

Séli: They fight with the servants.

(blank stare)

Séli: They grab the servants, and they use them to--

  • Hanging Judge: Léodagan, Minister of Justice. He also burns people at the stake -- in his defense, that's considered entertainment.
  • Heroic Comedic Sociopath: Léodagan
  • Historical In-Joke
    • Calogrenant, the king of Caledonia (Scotland), shows up with his butt wrapped in a quilted bedcover because his armor has rusted from a fall in a puddle. However the rules of the Round Table specify that every knight must show up properly dressed OR dressed in his country's traditional garb. Thus, the unproper but convenient improvised quilted bedcover skirt retroactively becomes the official costume of Caledonia.
    • Also, when Karadoc invents the croque-monsieur.
  • Honest John's Dealership / Snake Oil Salesman: Venec can provide you anything for really decent prices.
  • In My Language, That Sounds Like...: The Burgund king seems to find some Briton words inherently funny, notably "biography".
  • Inept Mage: Merlin
  • Insistent Terminology
    • Livre V -- "Don't call me 'Sire'."
    • Don't call either Arthur and Anna "brother" or "sister" without specifying "half-" before.
  • Invisibility Cloak: Played with. Merlin is unable to turn people invisible, but got around it by designing invisibility panes, which makes anyone hiding behind them invisible. Just make sure you remember where you put them.
  • Involuntary Shapeshifter: Merlin, as a druid, can turn into various animals. However, he doesn't much control it and follow whatever animal spirit govern the week.
  • It Will Never Catch On
    • The episode "L'Interprète" has the following discussion:

Father Blaise: Oh, I wanted to ask you: How did you get into the burgundian culture?
Interpreter: (surprised) Burgundian culture? I didn't even know there was one. No, I wanted to study Modern Greek, but it was full; the only languages left were Burgundian or English. English! But that's even less widespread.

    • In another episode, when Merlin tries out "modern medecine" instead of magical healing, Arthur tells him it will never catch on. Though that's understandable, considering the best Merlin could come up with was throwing salt in an open wound....
  • Large Ham
    • Élie Semoun as the Répurgateur.
    • The weaponmaster, whenever in training mode.
    • The Burgund king.
  • Lawful Stupid: Grüdü can follow orders to the exclusion of common sense.
  • Lethal Chef: Séli

Séli: Well, I cooked something that's not too shabby: some kind of tart, with onions, cabbage, celery and spices.
(they taste it)
Séli: So?
Bohort: (embarassed) It's... interesting...
Arthur: The more interesting part being: how do you manage to cook something that foul with normal ingredients.
Séli: (shocked) Foul???
Bohort: Well, you can say it's... um, a particular taste...
Arthur: It's incredible, it's like eating dirt, and cow dung, and gravel, it smells like a henhouse, but it really is celery and onions. It's amazing.

  • Lovable Coward: Everybody except Arthur, Lancelot, and Léodagan. Bohort stands out as the most acute case.
  • Loyal Phlebotinum: Excalibur only light up when held by someone with an exceptional destiny, and will always comes back to The Chosen One. Unless stuck in the stone, in which case only the King of Britain can pull it out.
  • Malaproper
    • Perceval and Karadoc's dialogues are hilarious when they try to use big words.

Karadoc: (to Arthur, through the door of his bedroom) We are wily-nilly used by you to achieve on an end!
Arthur: What???
Karadoc: We are willy-nilly used by you to achieve on an end!
(beat)
Arthur: (opening the door, thoughtful) You are unwillingly used by me to achieve my ends?
Karadoc: Oh yeah, that's better...
Perceval: The turn of phrase is more gradual...
Arthur: ... Clearer?
Perceval: Clearer, yeah.
Arthur: (half-proud, half-amused) Did you notice that I understand you better and better?
Perceval: Yes, that's what I was just thinking about right now.
Karadoc: Quicker and quicker, at least.
Perceval: It's more spindly!
Arthur: ... More fluent?
Perceval: Right.

    • The Burgund king has no idea of what he's saying, including such gems as "the flower in the bouquet withers... and is never reborn!", "I appreciate fruits in syrup", "Not change plate for the cheese!" and "strong in apples". He also starts sniggering at "biography".
  • Manipulative Bastard
  • Medieval Morons: From the peasants to the knights. It's even the reason Lancelot left the Table.
  • Midnight Snack: Karadoc often sneaks to the kitchen in the middle of the night to have one.
  • Mistaken for Gay
    • Lancelot in-verse.
    • Bohort (Bors), who was assumed to be gay by the audience until the writer showed him married in one episode, just because he was tired of this assumption.
  • Obnoxious In-Laws: Arguments between Arthur and his family-in-law are common.
  • Only Sane Man: Arthur, and (in his own opinion) Lancelot.
  • Our Gods Are Greater: Played with. The series is creatively ambiguous about which gods, if any, exist. Arthur has formally converted to Christianity for the sake of convenience but isn't much of a believer (in fact, he prays to Mars at one point), and retains an overtly pagan wizard on his payroll. It's even lampshaded by Arthur when the Lady of the Lake tries to make Arthur feel guilty for praying to Mars.

Arthur: Praying to Mars?? (laughs) Praying to Mars...
(beat)
Arthur: ... Yeah, Maybe. So What?
Lady of the Lake: Are you kidding me?? You're praying to a roman god! May I remind you, for your information, that you're quite commited to a quest in the name of the One God...
Arthur: Because the One God is Celtic?

Lady of the Lake: (bewildered) Huh... Hmm... Well, he's the One.

Arthur: Yeah, right. And you, with your orange hair and your skin as white as a dairyman's crap, you're not Celtic?

Lady of the Lake: Yes, at first...

Arthur: (sharply) "At first"? What, you're working half-time with the ones, half-time with the others? Religion is a mess. Admit it and let me pray to whoever I want. Doesn't prevent me from searching for your damn Grail, anyway.

Karadoc: Lord Arthur is back from a quest; maybe he can say something about it?
Arthur: No.
Perceval: Come on, at least tell us if it was successful, don't be shy.
Arthur: (sighs) ... No, it wasn't.
Karadoc: Okay... No Comment...
Perceval: (sarcastic) I can see that there have been some major achievements, this week, again. What did you heroes do, apart from scratching your own feet?
Léodagan: You know what "we heroes" have to say to that?
Perceval: Yeah, right... When it comes to being unpleasant, you're proficient.
[...]
Karadoc: No, it's okay, do nothing. Finding the Grail will be a piece of cake...
Perceval: It's not that difficult to put some effort in it...
Karadoc: (getting angry) Lord Arthur, apparently you travelled across the whole country by foot; don't you think you could have taken a look? No no, me myself an me, always, always, always!!!
Perceval: (disappointed) You really didn't brought anything back? Not even a small clue?
(Arthur shakes his head)
Karadoc: (sarcastic) Well done, then. Everyone else? Any news?
[...]
Perceval: (thumps the table) I can't believe it! You think you can fool us?!
Karadoc: I'm warning you...
Arthur: (interrupts) I did build a stronghold, at least.
Perceval: ... What?
Arthur: (very calmly, with a put out look) For the Grail. I did build a stronghold. Kaamelott, they call it. I sought and hired knights in the whole kingdom; in Caledonia, in Carmelid, in Gaunes, in Vannes, in Wales; I ordered a big table, to have the knights sitting together; I ordered it round, to prevent having a knight sitting in a corner, or at the end of it; it was complicated, so I tried to explain what was the Grail, to make sure everyone understand; it was hard, so I tried to laugh, to make sure nobody got bored; I failed; (stares at Karadoc and Perceval) but I don't want anyone to say that I did nothing. Because it's not true.
(silence)
Perceval: (embarassed) Come on Sire, you know you must not take what we say seriously; you know that we are fools...
Arthur: (nods, depressed) Stop calling me Sire.

  • Retcon: Quite a few, since the first Livre was just a succession of funny episodes without any plot. Those are always minor details, though.
  • Riddle Me This: Attempted by Merlin against Elias, but backfires when Merlin chooses stupid riddles and/or makes mistakes.
  • Ring of Power: Arthur's ring of weapon control. A gift from the Roman Emperor.
  • Running Gag
    • Léodagan ordering siege engines even when they are unnecessary/useless.
    • The Lady of the Lake offering pointless advice and being unable to be seen or heard by anyone except Arthur -- and Perceval being completely unable to grasp this.
    • Perceval's stories always involving old people.
    • Arthur being interrupted everytime he sings the pavane "Belle qui tiens ma vie".
    • [Character searching a word, asking to Arthur] > [Arthur suggesting the right word] > "Nah, [said word], that's everything happening in the countryside, isn't it?"
  • Sarcasm Blind: Perceval

(after Perceval tells him that he's going to relate his last adventure)
Arthur: I imagine that this really will be epic, once more.

Perceval: Well, no, I guess that this will be quite lame.

  • Seers: Prisca
  • Serious Business: Father Blaise is not happy with the introduction of the tritone (a.k.a. diabolus in musica) in religious music.
  • Servile Snarker: Angharad
  • Sex Is Cool: Completely subverted:
    • The main character, Arthur, cheats so many times on his wife with numerous mistresses or one-night stands that he would be considered a lecher nowadays. Everytime his relationships are evoked, it becomes a source of comical relief or even humiliation for him or his wife. Oh, and of course, the only woman he doesn't touch at all is his wife.
    • When it comes to the rest of the knights, five of them are seen with a wife throughout the show: Léodagan, who seems to be quite faithful (emphasis on the quite), Bohort, who live away from his wife and took a vow of chastity, Karadoc, who considers sex to be "something necessary to make children, and that's it", Lancelot, who doesn't even know how to make love theoretically and King Loth, who never mentions his wife without the word "bitch", or other synonyms.
    • And, last but not least, the only time in the show that a sexual intercourse is not shown in a funny way (= Arthur and Mevanwi) is the point where the show gets Darker and Edgier.
  • Sexless Marriage: Arthur & Guenièvre; Bohort & Berlewen
  • Shell Game: Perceval, thanks to his Idiot Savant status, just can't lose at this game despite all the gambler's efforts.
  • Shock and Awe: King Loth can throw lightning.
  • Shout-Out: A lot.
  • Small Name, Big Ego: Perceval and Karadoc. To the point that, in some occasions, they manage to brag about how they epically failed a mission as if it was a victory.
  • Smug Snake: King Loth; Léodagan
  • Special Effects Failure: In-universe examples:
    • One example is the In Name Only druid Merlin. He was supposed to set off a fireball, (which he couldn't if his life depended on it) and, well, failed to do so.
    • Reversed (or maybe inverted) in an episode featuring Merlin's long-time rival Elias of Kelliwic'h. As Elias threatens Merlin and King Arthur, his magical staff begins to glow eerily, prompting everyone in the room to take cover. Elias is initially puzzled by their reaction, then explains that, "Oh no, no, it always does this. It's just for show."
  • Spin-Off: The Comic Book Adaptation; six albums thus far.
  • Spirit Advisor: The Lady of the Lake to Arthur. Though she's not very good at it....
  • Straight Edge / The Teetotaler: The weaponmaster
  • Strategy Schmategy: Arthur, when he is playing with the Burgundian King at a strategy game which he doesn't know any rules.
  • Stupid Statement Dance Mix: Courtesy of the Burgund king.
  • Surrounded by Idiots: A great deal.
  • Take Our Word for It: Live version. Almost every battle only shows the commanders of the Briton army crying about the total inefficiency of their troops.
  • Those Two Guys: Karadoc & Perceval; Roparhz & Guethenoc; Yvain & Gauvain
  • Too Dumb to Live: Half of the Knights of the Round Table are just plain incompetent. The peasants also qualify, since they tend to revolt just for the sake of it.
  • Torture Always Works
  • Translation Convention: Occasionally averted. A summit with the Burgundian King required an interpreter. Also Played With, since after that episode, we learn that the Burgundian King took some lessons in Arthur's language. Though what he says still doesn't make any sense.
  • Try to Fit That on A Business Card: When two wizards are about to duel (in any way), they must announce the complete titles and honors of the other.

Merlin: Elias de Kelliwi'ch; Great Enchanter of the North, Caller of the Caledonian Wolves, Slayer of the Dragon of Snows, Creator of the Potion of Omnipotence, Seer of...
Arthur: (interrupts) Enough! You don't need to spout off his entire resume, do you?
Merlin: It's a wizard thing; it's how we greet each other...
Elias: Merlin; Enchanter of Britain, Defeater of the Winchester Weasel, Creator of the Potion of Ingrown Nails Cure, Author of the scroll Druidism for Old Folks...

Merlin: (interrupts) Yeah, alright, alright. (to Arthur) You were right, it's gonna take forever.

  • Twin Threesome Fantasy: Played straight with Azilis and Tumet (but averted when Arthur can't stand to be kissed by Guenièvre and Démetra at once).
  • Vetinari Job Security: When Arthur steps down from the throne of Britain, the knights find out handling the kingdom is more work that they can handle.
  • Well-Intentioned Extremist: Lancelot at the end of the sixth season.
  • What the Fu Are You Doing?: Karadoc and Perceval's "fighting techniques", all the time.
  • You All Meet in An Inn: Karadoc and Perceval recruit their whole new clan in an inn, which becomes their "headquarters". Not surprising, since they're working there to pay over their huge debt to the innkeeper.
  • You Fight Like a Cow: The weaponmaster's favorite schtick.

The Comic Book Adaptation provides examples of:

  • Failed a Spot Check: Karadoc and Perceval are rather oblivious as a general rule, but in Le Serpent Géant du lac de l'Ombre ("The Giant Snake from Shadow Lake"), they take it to a whole new level. While rowing on the title lake in search of the eponymous giant snake, a huge coil of said monster rises above the water behind them... and they don't notice. Then its tail strikes their boat, and they wonder if they hit a rock. Finally, a stronger tail lash capsizes their boat and sends both in the water. Their conclusion? There's no giant snake in this damn lake, they're just wasting their time.
  • Give Chase With Angry Natives: In L'Armée du Nécromant, Arthur and co. are climbing to the top of a mountain to defeat an evil necromancer. Along the way, they come across a gigantic Rodent of Unusual Size, fortunately asleep. When things go wrong at the summit, they slide back down on improvised sleds, hurling stones at the rat as they pass. When the pursuing Necromancer arrives, the rat is awake and angry, and proceeds to eat him.
  • Our Liches Are Different: The Necromancer from the first album, L'Armée du Nécromant ("The Necromancer's Army").
  • Stock Ness Monster: The Giant Snake from Shadow Lake. Alluded in one episode, and seen in the fifth album.
  • Turn Undead: Featured in L'Armée du Nécromant. The knights going on a mission to investigate a surge of zombies, they bring Father Blaise with them, on the principle that priests are supposed to have powers against The Undead. However, Blaise never tried this before, and all his attempts are failure. Except at a critical moment toward the end, after hours of prayer, where he obliterates a group of giant zombies, almost accidentally (and fries his holy symbol in the process).
  1. Roman name for the city of Bordeaux