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Trailer

The Good Whale

Published: Wed Nov 06 2024

After the movie “Free Willy” became a hit, word got out that the star of the film, a killer whale named Keiko, was sick and living in a tiny pool at a Mexican amusement park. Fans were outraged and pleaded for his release. “The Good Whale” tells the story of the wildly ambitious science experiment to return Keiko to the ocean — while the world watched. An epic tale that starts in Mexico and ends in Norway, the six-episode series follows Keiko as he’s transported from country to country, each time landing in the hands of well-intentioned people who believe they know what’s best for him – people who still disagree, decades later, about whether they did the right thing.

Summary

The Good Whale – Trailer Summary

Released on November 6, 2024

Introduction

The Good Whale, a compelling podcast series produced by Serial Productions in collaboration with The New York Times, delves into the poignant story of Keiko, the real orca behind the iconic movie character Willy from Free Willy. This trailer sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of Keiko's life, the global effort to free him, and the ethical questions surrounding the captivity and release of intelligent marine mammals.

Keiko: A Unique Orca

The trailer opens with heartfelt reflections on Keiko's distinct personality and the profound impact he had on those who knew him.

  • A introduces Keiko: “His name was Keiko and everyone agreed he was a good whale.”
  • B emphasizes Keiko's uniqueness: “Keiko was one of a kind,” and further praises him as “the one in a million whale” (00:06, 00:11).

Keiko's exceptional temperament made him beloved by both his trainers and the public. His gentle nature was highlighted by B, who shared a personal anecdote: “I would have taken my one year old daughter and put him on his back without a care or concern in the world. He was that gentle” (00:36, 00:45).

From Captivity to Stardom

Keiko's life took a significant turn when he starred in the 1993 film Free Willy. His ability to connect with audiences and perform made him a star, yet it also set the stage for a larger narrative about captivity and freedom.

  • A recounts Keiko's role in the movie: “When he was cast in the movie Free Willy, he played the part of Willy, of course, a captive killer whale who's befriended by a 12 year old boy and then set free” (00:45, 00:56).
  • B succinctly adds: “Very good” (00:55).

The Quest for Freedom

Following his cinematic fame, a global movement sought to transition Keiko from his confined existence in a Mexican amusement park to the vastness of the ocean. This endeavor was not merely about Keiko's freedom but also aimed at addressing broader concerns regarding the treatment of captive whales.

  • A outlines the mission: “...when the world decided Keiko himself should be set free, that he should learn how to be a wild whale, how to hold his breath and hunt for his own food and live in the ocean” (00:56, 00:58).

However, this ambitious plan raised critical questions about the feasibility and ethical implications of such an endeavor.

  • A questions: “Can good whales be wild whales? It felt like bringing your pet dog out to the forest and then running away and the dog being hungry and scared and wanted to go home” (01:10, 01:20).
  • B expresses deep concern: “I was furious because I could see, see what we had done to him” (01:30, 01:34).

Ethical Dilemmas and Debates

The decision to release Keiko was not without controversy. The trailer highlights the moral quandaries faced by the experts leading the project.

  • A reflects on the ethical considerations: “We played God at that point. Was wildness even something Keiko wanted? Or was it something we needed from him? A chance to redeem ourselves for the harms we'd caused, not just to Keiko, but to all captive whales” (01:34, 01:48).
  • B challenges critics: “I always ask people, that are the detractors. Where would you have stopped it?” (01:48, 01:56).

These dialogues underscore the tension between human intervention intended for benevolent purposes and the autonomy of the animal in question.

The Science Experiment

Central to the trailer is the portrayal of the effort to teach Keiko how to live freely in the wild. This high-stakes science experiment was unprecedented, with scientists pushing the boundaries of what was possible in marine mammal rehabilitation.

  • A describes the project: “This is the story of a high profile, high stakes science experiment whose goal seemed almost impossible to teach a captive orca to be wild” (01:56, 02:14).
  • B adds determination: “We wanted to see how far he could go” (02:14, 02:18).

The experiment not only aimed to rehabilitate Keiko but also sought to set a precedent for the treatment of other captive whales, making its success or failure a matter of global significance.

Conclusion

The trailer for The Good Whale encapsulates a narrative rich with emotion, ethical debates, and the relentless pursuit of freedom for an extraordinary orca. Through poignant quotes and a structured portrayal of Keiko's journey, the trailer invites listeners to engage with a story that questions humanity's role in the lives of sentient beings and the true meaning of freedom.

Additional Information

Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to The Good Whale through The New York Times to access all episodes early and explore the full archive on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For exclusive photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes content, signing up for the newsletter at nytimes.com/serialnewsletter is recommended. Feedback and story pitches can be directed to serialshows@nytimes.com.

Produced by Serial Productions and The New York Times, The Good Whale is available wherever you get your podcasts.

No transcript available.