It was over a decade ago, during the early days of YouTube, that I first discovered The Legend of Zelda TV series. I think my introduction to the cartoon was similar to many people who didn’t catch it when it first aired: I saw a compilation video of Link wailing “Excuuuse me, princess!” I wasn’t sure what to make of it; it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting from a Zelda cartoon.
When watching Link repeat his infamous catchphrase is the extent of your exposure to the show, it’s easy to write it off. If you give the series a real chance, however, you might find that the catchphrase is often quite funny when given a proper build-up and context.
In fact, I’m about to run down five of my personal favorites instances of the phrase, to demonstrate just how brilliant and versatile it can be!
We’ve recently uploaded a similar compilation on our YouTube channel, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the TV series, for your viewing pleasure. There will also be a timestamp for the video in each entry of this list if you want to see them for yourself.
Please let us know your favorite “excuse me, princess” scene too!
5) The double-down “Excuse me, princess!”
Timestamps: 0:36 and 0:42
Link says the “Excuse me, princess!” line more times in “Underworld Connections” than any other episode. This happens to be my favorite episode — not only for this reason, but I mean, it definitely doesn’t hurt the decision either.
As Link and Zelda are venturing through the Underworld in pursuit of the Triforce of Wisdom shards, Link opens a door and is greeted by a swarm of vicious Ropes. Link defeats some of these snake creatures with his Crissword, but Zelda scolds him, worried that Ganon will know their whereabouts if he continues using the sword’s magic beams.
Link ceases his attacks, but it results in him getting tangled up by two Ropes. This is undoubtedly an “excuse me” moment, and sure enough, Link verbally responds to danger the only way he knows how. Here’s where things get special, though: Zelda uses a boomerang to save Link, but accuses him of “sitting down on the job.” This is where Link busts out with, “Well, excuuuse me again, princess!” It’s two catchphrases for the price of one scene.
4) The interrupted “Excuse me, princess!”
Timestamp: 0:50
Even if you hate this catchphrase, I have a feeling you’ll be on board with me on this one.
In another scene from “Underworld Connections,” Zelda berates Link once again for using his sword zaps in the Underworld, this time on an assaulting Gibdo. I know what’s coming, you know what’s coming, and even the princess is prepared for Link’s response here — which is why she cuts him off halfway through his catchphrase.
She raises her hand and lets out a repulsed “Ugh!”, and orders him to get moving. There’s a similar scene in “The Missing Link” where Zelda snaps back at Link’s “kiss me” line with a blunt “Oh, shut up!” There’s something funny about the princess getting so exhausted with Link’s repetitive and predictable dialogue that even she can’t take any more of it. And fair enough: this is the fifth time Link requests to be excused in this episode.
3) The very first “Excuse me, princess!”
Timestamp: 0:00
Believe it or not, there are a couple of episodes in the series where Link doesn’t say “Excuse me, princess!” even once. I don’t need to tell you that this is an absolute travesty, and this is what holds “Cold Spells” and “Kiss ‘N Tell” back from greatness.
Thank heavens, then, for the cartoon’s opening sequence.
It’s a cool intro, with a quick rundown of the main characters and their pursuit of both Triforces, plenty of action with our heroes fighting monsters, and a vigorous, orchestrated version of the main Legend of Zelda theme. It’s in danger of being too cool, in fact, until Link thankfully sets the correct tone at the end. As Link grabs Zelda to escape an incoming Moblin horde, they leap off a bridge, with Link landing safely while the princess plummets into the river. Soaked and annoyed, she mutters, “Nice job, hero,” and, well, you know the rest.
This one’s a classic, and by inserting the line into this intro, you’ll never escape those iconic words no matter which episode you watch.
2) The provocative “Excuse me, princess!
Timestamp: 1:37
In the final episode, “The Moblins are Revolting,” Link and Zelda are given the perfect opportunity to retrieve the Triforce of Power at long last. With Ganon helpless to stop them, and his minions worn out from their failed attempts at attacking North Castle, the heroes enter the Underworld with the Triforce unguarded.
When Ganon appears trapped in his own indestructible bubble, however, Link can’t resist taunting and toying with the evil wizard first. He begins tossing Ganon around like a volleyball, but the fun comes to an abrupt end when the bubble touches the Triforce of Power, releasing Ganon and forcing Link and Zelda to escape.
Back at the castle, this magical exchange happens:
Zelda: “No! We almost had the Triforce, it was right there! But nooo, you had to start messing around!”
Link: “I know, I know, it was all my fault! So there’s only one thing I can say, I guess.”
Zelda: “And that is?”
Link: “Excuuuse me, princess!”
The princess then lets out a very angry shriek of frustration, slams a bucket on Link’s head, and storms off. Link loves to tease Zelda throughout the show (most likely out of his strong affection for her) and isn’t afraid to bust out those dreaded words even during dire circumstances. It’s hilarious watching as the catchphrase gets under the skin even of a main character in the series.
This one also has the honor of being the final use of the catchphrase in the series, playing out in the last scene of the finale. I couldn’t have asked for a greater ending.
1) The frustrated “Excuse me, princess!”
Timestamp: 0:24
Zelda isn’t the only one to get irked from time to time, with Link being a regular target of criticism from the princess. Despite his efforts, Zelda blames him whenever she or King Harkinian are kidnapped, the Triforce of Wisdom is stolen, or they are attacked by monsters.
One such moment occurs in the episode “Doppelganger.” While Link and Zelda are chasing Zelda’s evil clone in the Underworld, they are attacked by a group of Octoroks. Link instinctively grabs Zelda and jumps down to a lower platform, using his Force Field Ring to create a barrier around them and break their fall.
Rather than thank Link for getting them out of a jam, Zelda pouts, “Don’t you ever do that again without telling me!” As she runs off, Link’s puts all of his energy into it this time. This “Well excuuuuuuuuuuse me, princess!” is possibly the most drawn out of them all, and Link even slams his hat to the ground as he yells it. It’s by far the most overly dramatic instance of the catchphrase throughout the series and is easily the most hilarious as a result. Even when channeling his frustration, Link can’t help but use those words, and that makes him a very special hero indeed.
Just as Link loves to tease Zelda, Zelda isn’t afraid to lay out Link’s faults, mocking him for being lazy, incompetent, or a lowly adventurer. She even has a semi-regular catchphrase of her own, “Way to go, hero!” It never comes off as malicious, though; the constant bantering between the pair is in fact quite endearing. On top of being a funny moment, I like this scene because it’s a reminder that Link and Zelda are just a couple of teenagers: they love each other really, they just have funny ways of showing it.
That wraps up our 30th-anniversary content for TV Series September! You can catch all of the previous columns from the past month here, and our retrospective feature series is still ongoing. Thank you for reading, and for sharing all of your thoughts, memories, and fondness for the cartoon. You are now excused.
