merlin_forever

Of course, like a lot of people, my favorite aspect of Merlin is Merlin and Arthur's relationship and one of the cornerstones of that relationship is their sparkling banter. Even when the comedy on the show got a little tired, their banter almost always managed to make me smile. Beyond their banter there's also a lot of other great dialogue in the show. It wasn't until doing the re-watch that I really noticed how quotable the show can be.

So here's a compilation of some of my favorite quotes from Series 1:

From 1.01 The Dragon's Call -

Arthur - “Do I know you?”
Merlin - “Uh, I’m Merlin-
Arthur - “So I don’t know you.”
Merlin - “No.”
Arthur - “Yet you called me ‘friend.’
Merlin - “That was my mistake.”
Arthur - “Yes, I think so.”
Merlin - “Yeah. I’d never have a friend who could be such an ass.”
Arthur - “Or, I, one who could be so stupid. Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"

Arthur - “Oh, don’t run away!

Merlin - “Look, I’ve told you you’re an ass. I just didn’t realize you were a royal one.”

Arthur - “I could take you apart with one blow.”
Merlin - “I could take you apart with even less than that.”

Arthur - "There's something about you, Merlin."

Kilgarrah - “How small you are, for such a great destiny.”

Merlin - “If anyone wants to go and kill him they can go ahead. In fact, I’ll give them a hand.”

Kilgarrah - “None of us can choose our destiny, Merlin. And none of us can escape it.”

Merlin - “There must be another Arthur because this one’s an idiot.”

Gaius - “Your destiny’s calling.”

From 1.02 Valiant

Merlin - “Do you hear clanging?”

Merlin - “I know I’m just a servant and my word doesn’t count for anything. I wouldn’t lie to you.”
Arthur - “I want you to swear to me, what you’re telling me is true.”
Merlin - “I swear it’s true.”
Arthur - “Then I believe you.”

Merlin - “You can trust me.”

Kilgarrah - "A half cannot hate what truly makes it whole."

From 1.03 The Mark of Nimueh

Arthur - "I found a place where you can put things. It's called a cupboard."

Gwen - “You’re strange. Uh, I don’t mean that in a nasty way. You’re just… funny. I like that.”

Arthur - "He's got a grave… mental disease."

Arthur - "It's aaaalright."

Arthur - "Merlin is a wonder but the wonder is he's such an idiot."

Merlin - "Maybe I should go around wearing a pointy hat."
Gaius - "I don't think you'd find one big enough."

Kilgarrah - "You are but one side of a coin. Arthur is the other."

Merlin - “That I am only one side of a coin…the brighter side obviously.”

Merlin - "I just want someone to see me for what I am."

From 1.04 The Poisoned Chalice

Arthur - “I can't stand by and watch him die.”

Morgana - “Sometimes you have to do what is right and damn the consequences.”

Merlin - “That’s disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself. You’re old enough to be her grandfather.”

Merlin - “Arthur…thank you.”
Arthur - “You, too.”

From 1.06 A Remedy to Cure All Ills

Gwen - "In life you always have a choice, sometimes it is easier to think you don't."

From 1.07 The Gates of Avalon

Arthur - “We’re supposed to be hunting. It requires speed, strength, and an agile mind!”
Merlin - "So you're able to get by on two of the three then?"

Merlin - “He’ll have me in the stocks quicker than you can say ‘rotten tomatoes.’”

Merlin - “I am a terrible liar. I start sweat, my-my vision blurs, my brain stops working.”
Arthur - “Oh, no change there then.”

Arthur - “I can’t order you to lie to the king, but you’ll be a friend for life if you do.”

Uther - “If this were a time of war, I’d have you flogged.”
Merlin - “But since it’s not we’ll let it go just this once?”

Merlin - “They were throwing potatoes at me. It’s only supposed to be rotten fruit.”
Arthur - “I’m not sure if there are any hard and fast rules.

Merlin - "I think I'm starting to get the hang of this whole deception lark."

Merlin - "So I had to make you."
Arthur - "You managed to knock me out?"
Merlin - "Yep ... with a lump of wood."

Uther - "Have you some kind of mental affliction?"
Merlin - “Probably.”

Gaius - "No one's like you, Merlin."

From 1.08 The Beginning of the End

Merlin - "You know me"
Gaius - "Yes Merlin. Unfortunately I do."

Merlin - "I'm pretty sure my name is Merlin. Always has been."

Arthur - "Are you deaf? It's like a...jangling sound."

From 1.10 The Moment of Truth

Arthur - "You've been terrible. Really, I mean it. The worst servant I've ever had."

Arthur - “Come on stop pretending to be interesting. Tell me.”
Merlin - “I just didn’t fit in anymore. I wanted to find somewhere that I did.”
Arthur - “Had any luck?”
Merlin - “I’m not sure yet.”

Arthur - "You don't have a dog and fetch the stick yourself. No offense Merlin."
Merlin - “None taken.”

Hunith - “He must care for you a great deal.”

Hunith - “Give him more credit than that. He likes you.”

Arthur - “It’s been an honor.”

Merlin - “Whatever happens out there today, please don’t think any differently of me.”

Hunith - "You belong at Arthur’s side. I’ve seen how much he needs you; how much you need him. You're like two sides of the same coin."

From 1.11 The Labyrinth of Gedref

Arthur - “So you have been outwitted by a rat.”
Merlin - “They do say that rats are very intelligent.”
Arthur - “More intelligent than you, it would seem.”

Arthur - “You think this is funny?”
Merlin - “Moderately.”

Arthur - "Stop smacking your lips! It's annoying!"

Merlin - “My throat was so dry, I thought I wouldn’t be able to talk."
Arthur - "At least some good would have come from the drought then."

Merlin - “I know you don’t have to listen to me…"
Arthur - “Glad we agree on something.”

Arthur - “What kind of meat is this? It has a very strange texture.”

Gaius - “Tastes like chicken.”
Merlin - “This tastes nothing like chicken.”

Anhora - "You have faith in Arthur?"
Merlin - "I trust him with my life."

Arthur - "This is no time to be a hero, Merlin. It really doesn't suit you."

Arthur - "Had no idea you were so keen to die for me."
Merlin - "Trust me, I can hardly believe it myself."
Arthur - "I'm glad you're here, Merlin."

Arthur - "You know me, Merlin. I never listen to you."

Anhora - "Arthur was willing to sacrifice his life to save yours...He has proven what is truly in his heart."

From 1.13 Le Morte d'Arthur

Arthur - “Do you have any natural gifts, Merlin?”
Merlin - “No. Let me think. I’m not naturally rude or insensitive.”
Arthur - “Just naturally irritating.”

Merlin - "He can't die. It is my destiny to protect him. We haven't done all the things we're meant to do!"

Merlin - “Gaius, he’s my friend.”

Merlin - “I'm sorry, Gaius. Whatever the price is, I will pay it gladly.

Merlin - "I willingly give my life for Arthur's."

Arthur - “I think there’s someone watching over me, keeping me from harm.
Uther - “Maybe you’re right. On your long journey to become king, you’ll need a guardian angel.”

Arthur - “I sometimes wonder if you know who I am.”
Merlin - “Oh, I know who you are.”
Arthur - “Good.”
Merlin - "You're a prat… and a royal one."
Arthur - "Are you ever going to change, Merlin?"
Merlin - "No, you'd get bored."

Merlin - "I'm happy to be your servant, until the day I die."

Arthur - “Sometimes I think I know you Merlin…other times…”
Merlin - "Well, I know you. You’re a great warrior. One day, you’ll be a great king."
Arthur - “That’s very kind of you.”
Merlin - “But you must learn to listen as well as you fight.”
Arthur - “Any other pointers?”
Merlin - "No. That’s it. Just… don't be a prat."

Merlin - "I will make Arthur king!"

Merlin - "You should not have killed my friend."

Stacey