Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* SafeBehindTheCorner: There are many moments when the Borrowers are hiding in a corner, while a human "bean" passes very close to them. It is often combined with a BaitAndSwitch moment, when the human suddenly reacts, but has then seen something else.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
addition of Accidental Downer Ending
Added DiffLines:
* AccidentalDownerEnding: [[spoiler:This series, and ''The Return of the Borrowers'' were based on the first four books in the series. Continuity announcements at the end of the series hinted at a new series the following year, but this was never made. The series had the BittersweetEnding of the family sailing down the river in their boat, not knowing where they will live next.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 22,23 (click to see context) from:
* DeusExMachina:
** This intervenes quite often to save the Borrowers. At one point Mildeye appears to have them cornered when he gets interrupted by a policeman.
** This intervenes quite often to save the Borrowers. At one point Mildeye appears to have them cornered when he gets interrupted by a policeman.
to:
* DeusExMachina:
**DeusExMachina: This intervenes quite often to save the Borrowers. Borrowers, and often at the very beginning of an episode, when the previous episode ended on a cliffhanger.
** Homily lies down in the path of Mildeye's horse and caravan; and the episode ends when the wheels are inches away from her. At the start of the next episode, Spiller appears, and drags her out of the way before the caravan reaches her.
** At one point Mildeye appears to have themcornered cornered, when he gets interrupted by a policeman.policeman.
** When BratsWithSlingshots are about to decapitate Pod, George intervenes.
**
** Homily lies down in the path of Mildeye's horse and caravan; and the episode ends when the wheels are inches away from her. At the start of the next episode, Spiller appears, and drags her out of the way before the caravan reaches her.
** At one point Mildeye appears to have them
** When BratsWithSlingshots are about to decapitate Pod, George intervenes.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* GilliganCut: The Borrowers' way is barred by a fast-flowing river. Pod spots a very flimsy-looking bridge; Homily furiously objects to the idea of crossing it, saying "you won't get me on to that thing, and that's a fact". The next moment, they are all carefully picking their way across the bridge.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* NobodyHereButUsStatues: When the Borrowers are living in a model village, they sometimes hide by standing dead still among the model inhabitants. Miss Menzies realises Arrietty is real because she made and painted the models herself.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* DontLookDown: Pod tells Homily not to look down, when crossing an improvised bridge over a fast-flowing river.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* BratsWithSlingshots: A gang of boys start firing a slingshot at figures in the model village, decapitating the policeman. One of them takes aim at Pod, who is standing dead still, pretending to be one of the figures.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 55 (click to see context) from:
---> ''(Just after Pod, Homily and Arrietty have been terrified by a snake)
to:
---> ''(Just (Just after Pod, Homily and Arrietty have been terrified by a snake)
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ImprovisedWeapon: Pod's weapon of choice is half of a pair of nail scissors, referred to as "the half-scissor". Spiller also has a bow and arrows, which he explains are pine needles, tipped with thorns.
Added DiffLines:
* RunningGag:
** Arrietty regularly parrots trivia she has read in books, usually in an earnest voice.
---> ''(Just after Pod, Homily and Arrietty have been terrified by a snake)
---> '''Arrietty''': Oh well, it wouldn't attack us.
---> '''Pod''': You read that in one of your books, I suppose?
---> '''Arrietty''': Yes, of course.
---> '''Pod''': Those books were written for human beans, not Borrowers.
** Several times, a human "bean" reacts in surprise while the Borrowers are lurking; then it turns out they saw something else.
---> (While Arrietty is lurking behind a flowerpot, in the presence of an elderly short-sighted lady)
---> '''Lady''': Hilda, look!!!!! (''Beat'') That plant's dying of thirst. (She waters it, drenching Arrietty)
** Arrietty regularly parrots trivia she has read in books, usually in an earnest voice.
---> ''(Just after Pod, Homily and Arrietty have been terrified by a snake)
---> '''Arrietty''': Oh well, it wouldn't attack us.
---> '''Pod''': You read that in one of your books, I suppose?
---> '''Arrietty''': Yes, of course.
---> '''Pod''': Those books were written for human beans, not Borrowers.
** Several times, a human "bean" reacts in surprise while the Borrowers are lurking; then it turns out they saw something else.
---> (While Arrietty is lurking behind a flowerpot, in the presence of an elderly short-sighted lady)
---> '''Lady''': Hilda, look!!!!! (''Beat'') That plant's dying of thirst. (She waters it, drenching Arrietty)
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 15 (click to see context) from:
* {{Cliffhanger}}: Every episode of the miniseries ended with one of these.
to:
* {{Cliffhanger}}: Every episode of the miniseries ended with one of these. Sometimes, it was impossible to see any way out: in one episode, Homily is lying in the road, and Mild-Eye's horse caravan are in danger of running her over her: the episode ends when it is inches away from her. [[spoiler: At the beginning of the following episode, Spiller is passing and drags her away, long before the caravan reaches her.]]
Changed line(s) 31 (click to see context) from:
* LeitMotif: There is staccato music whenever the Borrowers are creeping around "borrowing".
to:
* LeitMotif: There is staccato music whenever the Borrowers are creeping around "borrowing". Spiller has his own theme, and there is dramatic music when a tall piece of furniture towers over the Borrowers.
Changed line(s) 34 (click to see context) from:
* MeatVersusVeggies: Arrietty is horrified when Spiller kills a mouse with a makeshift bow and arrow. She is also a little too gleeful when Spiller throws the meat away to keep a passing dog off their scent.
to:
* MeatVersusVeggies: Arrietty is horrified when Spiller kills a mouse with a makeshift bow and arrow. She is also a little too gleeful when Spiller later throws the meat away to keep a passing dog off their scent.scent, just before they are about to eat it.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* GoodParents: Pod and Homily, to Arrietty. Pod encourages Arrietty's independence by teaching her to borrow; but in a very intense scene, scolds Arrietty severely for fraternising with humans, perhaps influenced by his own fear. Arrietty cries, but is unrelenting.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* MeatVersusVeggies: Arrietty is horrified when Spiller kills a mouse with a makeshift bow and arrow. She is also a little too gleeful when Spiller throws the meat away to keep a passing dog off their scent.
--> '''Arrietty''': You've killed it!!!
--> '''Spiller''': I meant to.
--> '''Arrietty''' (with pure venom): I think you're horrible.
--> '''Arrietty''': You've killed it!!!
--> '''Spiller''': I meant to.
--> '''Arrietty''' (with pure venom): I think you're horrible.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* ShoutOut: Arrietty and George read from ''Literature/GulliversTravels'', noting the similarity in size between {{Lilliputians}} and Borrowers.
--> '''Arrietty''' (reading): I saw a tiny man, less than six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his hand, and a quiver on his back.
--> '''George''': Do you think he was a Borrower?
--> '''Arrietty''' (reading): I saw a tiny man, less than six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his hand, and a quiver on his back.
--> '''George''': Do you think he was a Borrower?
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 34 (click to see context) from:
--> '''Mild-Eye''': (pulling a tiny home-made ladder out of a hole) Bloomin' clever rats!
to:
--> '''Mild-Eye''': (pulling a tiny home-made borrower-made ladder out of a hole) Bloomin' clever rats!
Added DiffLines:
* SneakersOfSneaking: Pod tells Arrietty to wear light shoes for borrowing, presumably to avoid detection.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
--> '''Arrietty''': (tearfully) I don't think humans are as bad as you make them out to be.
--> '''Pod''': (fiercely) They're good and they're bad, you just don't know, and you can ''never'' trust them. Look, I'm telling you my girl, from now on, you steer ''clear'' of them. Not just this one, ALL OF THEM!
--> '''Pod''': (fiercely) They're good and they're bad, you just don't know, and you can ''never'' trust them. Look, I'm telling you my girl, from now on, you steer ''clear'' of them. Not just this one, ALL OF THEM!
--> '''Crampfurl''': She reckons that they've got clothes on, like little people.
* ClosetPunishment: Mrs Driver locks George in the nursery on several occasions.
--> '''Mrs Driver''': Do you want to be locked up in your room again? Then be off with you.
--> '''Mrs Driver''': Do you want to be locked up in your room again? Then be off with you.
* LeitMotif: There is staccato music whenever the Borrowers are creeping around "borrowing".
Changed line(s) 27 (click to see context) from:
* MouseWorld: The Borrowers essentially live in the same world as mice.
to:
* MouseWorld: The Borrowers essentially live in the same world as mice. mice; humans sometimes assume they are mice or rats.
--> '''Mild-Eye''': (pulling a tiny home-made ladder out of a hole) Bloomin' clever rats!
--> '''Mild-Eye''': (pulling a tiny home-made ladder out of a hole) Bloomin' clever rats!
Added DiffLines:
* PaperKeyRetrievalTrick: No paper was needed when Arrietty told George to push the key out of the lock, after he had been locked in the nursery by Mrs Driver. Arrietty then pushes the key under the door to him.
--> '''George''': Mind your head.
--> '''George''': Mind your head.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/the_borrowers.png]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
A six-part [[TheNineties 1992]] Creator/{{BBC}} miniseries based on Mary Norton's children's book series, ''Literature/TheBorrowers'', about a race of [[{{Lilliputians}} tiny people]] known as "Borrowers", who live in the human world and survive by "borrowing" food and everyday items from humans, but try to keep their existence a secret. It starred Creator/IanHolm as Pod Clock, Penelope Wilton as his wife Homily and Rebecca Callard as their spirited daughter Arrietty. It was followed in 1993 by another miniseries, ''The Return of the Borrowers''.
to:
A six-part [[TheNineties 1992]] Creator/{{BBC}} miniseries based on Mary Norton's children's book series, ''Literature/TheBorrowers'', about a race of [[{{Lilliputians}} tiny people]] known as "Borrowers", who live in the human world and survive by "borrowing" food and everyday items from humans, but try to keep their existence a secret. It starred Creator/IanHolm as Pod Clock, Penelope Wilton Creator/PenelopeWilton as his wife Homily and Rebecca Callard as their spirited daughter Arrietty. It was followed in 1993 by another miniseries, ''The Return of the Borrowers''.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* AesopAmnesia: Arrietty never seems to learn that revealing herself to a human will inevitably lead to trouble for her family.
Added DiffLines:
* DeadlyPrank: All of Ditchley's pranks nearly have deadly consequences.
Added DiffLines:
* DidntThinkThisThrough: Ditchley and Ilrick pull the out bath plug, releasing all the water onto the Clocks and Spiller, who are leaving the house via the pipes. But, as Pod later points out, that was the last supply of water in the house (the water has been turned off as the house is now unoccupied by humans), so thanks to Ditchley's prank, the Harpsichords now have no water.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
A [[TheNineties 1992]] six-part Creator/{{BBC}} miniseries based on Mary Norton's children's books, ''Literature/TheBorrowers'', about a race of [[{{Lilliputians}} tiny people]] known as "Borrowers", who live in the human world, but try to keep their existence a secret. It starred Creator/IanHolm as Pod Clock, Penelope Wilton as his wife Homily and Rebecca Callard as their spirited daughter Arrietty. It was followed in 1993 by another miniseries, ''The Return of the Borrowers''.
to:
A six-part [[TheNineties 1992]] six-part Creator/{{BBC}} miniseries based on Mary Norton's children's books, book series, ''Literature/TheBorrowers'', about a race of [[{{Lilliputians}} tiny people]] known as "Borrowers", who live in the human world, world and survive by "borrowing" food and everyday items from humans, but try to keep their existence a secret. It starred Creator/IanHolm as Pod Clock, Penelope Wilton as his wife Homily and Rebecca Callard as their spirited daughter Arrietty. It was followed in 1993 by another miniseries, ''The Return of the Borrowers''.
* ContrivedCoincidence: In the Platters' attic, Arrietty just happens to find some instructions for building a hot air balloon, and all the materials with which to build it.
Changed line(s) 18 (click to see context) from:
* KarmaHoudini: Ditchley and Ilrick escape any serious consequences for their antics, though they do get a TheReasonYouSuck speech from Pod.
to:
* KarmaHoudini: Ditchley and Ilrick escape any serious consequences for their antics, though they antics. They do get a TheReasonYouSuck speech from Pod.Pod, who informs them that as a result of them pulling out the bath plug, there is now no more water in the house and the Harpsichords will therefore have to leave.
Added DiffLines:
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: George's well-meaning efforts to help the Clocks lead to them being discovered (and almost killed) by Mrs Driver.
* NiceJobFixingItVillain: Mrs Driver and the Platters capture the Clocks, but then the Platters go and keep them in an open box, in an attic full of hiding places and ideal ScavengedPunk materials, allowing them to escape.
* NiceJobFixingItVillain: Mrs Driver and the Platters capture the Clocks, but then the Platters go and keep them in an open box, in an attic full of hiding places and ideal ScavengedPunk materials, allowing them to escape.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
* CassandraTruth: Naturally enough, whenever any human spots a Borrower, no other human believes them. Mrs Driver is assumed to be mad.
Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* Meaningfulname: Many Borrowers are named for where they live, such as Clock, Overmantel or Harpischord.
to:
* Meaningfulname: MeaningfulName: Many Borrowers are named for where they live, such as Clock, Overmantel or Harpischord.Harpsichord.
Changed line(s) 22 (click to see context) from:
* NeverLearnedToRead: Pod, who apparently had to start borrowing at a young age and never had time to learn. Averted by Arrietty, who has taught herself to read.
to:
* NeverLearnedToRead: Pod, who apparently had to start borrowing at a young age and therefore never had time to learn. Averted by Arrietty, who has taught herself to read.
Changed line(s) 25 (click to see context) from:
* ObnoxiousInLaws: The Harpsichords to the Clocks.
to:
* ObnoxiousInLaws: ObnoxiousInLaws:
** The Harpsichords to theClocks.Clocks.
** Also Mrs Driver for George.
** The Harpsichords to the
** Also Mrs Driver for George.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 14 (click to see context) from:
* Freakshow: The Platters plan to display the Clocks in a glass house.
to:
* Freakshow: FreakShow: The Platters plan to display the Clocks in a glass house.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 27 (click to see context) from:
* ScavengedPunk: Pretty much everything the Borrowers possess has been scavenged (or borrowed) from humans.
to:
* ScavengedPunk: Pretty Inevitably, as pretty much everything the Borrowers possess has been scavenged (or borrowed) from humans.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
''The Borrowers'' came 79th on a 2000 list of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BFI_TV_100 100 greatest British television shows of all time]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Deleted line(s) 8 (click to see context) :
* DeceasedCharacter. Arrietty's cousin Eggletina. [[spoiler:It is revealed in ''Return of the Borrowers'' that Eggletina is actually very much alive]].
Added DiffLines:
* Meaningfulname: Many Borrowers are named for where they live, such as Clock, Overmantel or Harpischord.
Added DiffLines:
* ObnoxiousInLaws: The Harpsichords to the Clocks.
* PosthumousCharacter. Arrietty's cousin Eggletina. [[spoiler:It is revealed in ''Return of the Borrowers'' that Eggletina is actually very much alive]].
* ScavengedPunk: Pretty much everything the Borrowers possess has been scavenged (or borrowed) from humans.
* PosthumousCharacter. Arrietty's cousin Eggletina. [[spoiler:It is revealed in ''Return of the Borrowers'' that Eggletina is actually very much alive]].
* ScavengedPunk: Pretty much everything the Borrowers possess has been scavenged (or borrowed) from humans.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
A [[TheNineties 1992]] six part miniseries based on Mary Norton's children's books, ''Literature/TheBorrowers'', about a race of [[{{Lilliputians}] tiny people]] known as "Borrowers", who live in the human world, but try to keep their existence a secret. It starred Creator/IanHolm as Pod Clock, Penelope Wilton as his wife Homily and Rebecca Callard as their spirited daughter Arrietty. It was followed in 1993 by another miniseries, ''The Return of the Borrowers''.
to:
A [[TheNineties 1992]] six part six-part Creator/{{BBC}} miniseries based on Mary Norton's children's books, ''Literature/TheBorrowers'', about a race of [[{{Lilliputians}] [[{{Lilliputians}} tiny people]] known as "Borrowers", who live in the human world, but try to keep their existence a secret. It starred Creator/IanHolm as Pod Clock, Penelope Wilton as his wife Homily and Rebecca Callard as their spirited daughter Arrietty. It was followed in 1993 by another miniseries, ''The Return of the Borrowers''.
Added line(s) 7 (click to see context) :
* ChekhovsSkill: Arrietty's ability to read comes in handy at the end of the second series.
Changed line(s) 7 (click to see context) from:
* DeusExMachina: This intervenes quite often to save the Borrowers. At one point Mildeye appears to have them cornered when he gets interrupted by a policeman.
to:
* DeusExMachina: DeceasedCharacter. Arrietty's cousin Eggletina. [[spoiler:It is revealed in ''Return of the Borrowers'' that Eggletina is actually very much alive]].
* DeusExMachina:
** This intervenes quite often to save the Borrowers. At one point Mildeye appears to have them cornered when he gets interrupted by apoliceman. policeman.
** Averted the final time the Clocks are captured. No one is coming to their rescue and they have to build their own hot air balloon.
* DeusExMachina:
** This intervenes quite often to save the Borrowers. At one point Mildeye appears to have them cornered when he gets interrupted by a
** Averted the final time the Clocks are captured. No one is coming to their rescue and they have to build their own hot air balloon.
* Freakshow: The Platters plan to display the Clocks in a glass house.
Changed line(s) 10 (click to see context) from:
* {{Jerkass}}: Mrs Driver, Ditchley and Ilrick.
to:
* {{Jerkass}}: Mrs Driver, Ditchley and Ilrick.Ilrick, Mildeye.
Changed line(s) 12 (click to see context) from:
* {{Lilliputians}}: The Borrowers'.
to:
* {{Lilliputians}}: The Borrowers'.Borrowers.
* MouseWorld: The Borrowers essentially live in the same world as mice.
* MouseWorld: The Borrowers essentially live in the same world as mice.
Added DiffLines:
* NeverLearnedToRead: Pod, who apparently had to start borrowing at a young age and never had time to learn. Averted by Arrietty, who has taught herself to read.
* NoodleIncident: The incident involving Eggletina being seen. It is implied that she died, but Pod and Homily are reluctant to give more details.
* ObfuscatingStupidity: The Clocks do not move or speak in Sidney and Mabel's presence. Sidney and Mabel assume they are stupid, and just leave them in an open cardboard box in their attic.
* NoodleIncident: The incident involving Eggletina being seen. It is implied that she died, but Pod and Homily are reluctant to give more details.
* ObfuscatingStupidity: The Clocks do not move or speak in Sidney and Mabel's presence. Sidney and Mabel assume they are stupid, and just leave them in an open cardboard box in their attic.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
A [[TheNineties 1992]] six part miniseries based on Mary Norton's children's books, ''Literature/TheBorrowers'', about a race of [[{{Lilliputians tiny people]] known as "Borrowers", who live in the human world, but try to keep their existence a secret. It starred Creator/Ian Holm as Pod Clock, Penelope Wilton as his wife Homily and Rebecca Callard as their spirited daughter Arrietty. It was followed in 1993 by another miniseries, ''The Return of the Borrowers''.
to:
A [[TheNineties 1992]] six part miniseries based on Mary Norton's children's books, ''Literature/TheBorrowers'', about a race of [[{{Lilliputians [[{{Lilliputians}] tiny people]] known as "Borrowers", who live in the human world, but try to keep their existence a secret. It starred Creator/Ian Holm Creator/IanHolm as Pod Clock, Penelope Wilton as his wife Homily and Rebecca Callard as their spirited daughter Arrietty. It was followed in 1993 by another miniseries, ''The Return of the Borrowers''.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
A [[TheNineties 1992]] six part miniseries based on Mary Norton's children's books, ''Literature/TheBorrowers'', about a race of [[{{Lilliputians tiny people]] known as "Borrowers", who live in the human world, but try to keep their existence a secret. It starred Creator/Ian Holm as Pod Clock, Penelope Wilton as his wife Homily and Rebecca Callard as their spirited daughter Arrietty. It was followed in 1993 by another miniseries, ''The Return of the Borrowers''.
----
!Tropes in this series include:
* {{Cliffhanger}}: Every episode of the miniseries ended with one of these.
* CrapsackWorld: The human world is a dangerous place for Borrowers.
* DeusExMachina: This intervenes quite often to save the Borrowers. At one point Mildeye appears to have them cornered when he gets interrupted by a policeman.
* EarnYourTitle: Borrowers are known as such because they "borrow" everyday items from humans.
* InsistentTerminology: Borrowers do not steal, they borrow.
* {{Jerkass}}: Mrs Driver, Ditchley and Ilrick.
* KarmaHoudini: Ditchley and Ilrick escape any serious consequences for their antics, though they do get a TheReasonYouSuck speech from Pod.
* {{Lilliputians}}: The Borrowers'.
* NamedByTheAdaptation: George, the human boy who befriends the Clock family, is never named in the original books.
* YouHaveToBelieveMe: Mrs Driver has this when she sees the Borrowers, but understandably no humans believe her.
----
!Tropes in this series include:
* {{Cliffhanger}}: Every episode of the miniseries ended with one of these.
* CrapsackWorld: The human world is a dangerous place for Borrowers.
* DeusExMachina: This intervenes quite often to save the Borrowers. At one point Mildeye appears to have them cornered when he gets interrupted by a policeman.
* EarnYourTitle: Borrowers are known as such because they "borrow" everyday items from humans.
* InsistentTerminology: Borrowers do not steal, they borrow.
* {{Jerkass}}: Mrs Driver, Ditchley and Ilrick.
* KarmaHoudini: Ditchley and Ilrick escape any serious consequences for their antics, though they do get a TheReasonYouSuck speech from Pod.
* {{Lilliputians}}: The Borrowers'.
* NamedByTheAdaptation: George, the human boy who befriends the Clock family, is never named in the original books.
* YouHaveToBelieveMe: Mrs Driver has this when she sees the Borrowers, but understandably no humans believe her.
