About this season
The Return of the Antelope was a UK TV series aired on ITV between 1986 and 1988. It was a children's fantasy series about two English children, circa 1899, who befriend a group of shipwrecked Lilliputians.
Episodes (13)
1. Castaways
Aired 19 January 1986 • 30 min
The start of a new six-part serial from Granada, a sort of Gulliver’s Travels in reverse, with three tiny Lilliputians shipwrecked on an English beach in 1899. In 1899 a ship, The Antelope, with a crew of Lilliputians is shipwrecked off the northeast coast of Britain, the survivors are befriended by two schoolchildren.
2. Lost and Found
Aired 26 September 1986 • 30 min
The Lilliputians (captured in a picnic hamper, and kept in the children's bedroom) brave the stairs and the boarding-house cat.
3. Studio Portraits
Aired 22 January 1986 • 30 min
The tiny Lilliputians are installed in the doll's house in the children’s nursery in part three of this serial. Harwell Mincing suspects the existence of the Lilliputians, so he sets a trap to try to catch them.
4. Piano Lessons
Aired 26 January 1986 • 30 min
Philippa and Gerald persuade the little people to do their piano practice for them. When the Lilliputians take over the children's piano practice and pink blancmange begins to mysteriously disappear, Milly the maid is convinced she is working in a haunted house.
5. Everything in the Garden
Aired 2 February 1986 • 30 min
Angelic and devilish work is afoot at the Garstanton household when grandfather photographs a client, and a new gardener starts work. The Lilliputians continue to be chased by villain Harwell Mincing, who is disguised as a gardener.
6. Where the Heart is
Aired 9 February 1986 • 30 min
Gerald and Philippa are ready to help the homesick Lilliputians sail home. But can they find a suitable vessel for the dangerous voyage?
7. Brelca Goes Ballooning
Aired 26 October 1986 • 30 min
This episode concerns Lilliputian Brelca and a balloon trip in the skies.
8. Philippa's Brave Deed
Aired 2 November 1986 • 30 min
Brelca goes down with food-poisoning when a heatwave turns the food bad in the Garstanton kitchen.
9. The Temple of Doom
Aired 16 October 1986 • 30 min
Wicked Harwell Mincing disguises himself as a Chinese conjuror, in his latest attempt to kidnap the tiny trio.
10. The Lost Park
Aired 16 November 1986 • 30 min
Imprisoned in a miniature Chinese temple, the Lilliputians are abandoned in a municipal park.
11. The Bottle Of Amontillado
Aired 23 November 1986 • 30 min
Harwell Mincing has a new ruse—He opens a wine shop.
12. Mrs. Mallarby's Day
Aired 30 November 1986 • 30 min
The children recount Gulliver's story of a war over which end to open an egg. Blind beggar brings danger to the Lilliputians.
13. Moving On
Aired 7 December 1986 • 30 min
Will the Lilliputians escape to join the children in a new home? Last episode in the second series.