Tiger King has taken the internet by storm during this time of world-wide quarantine. It premiered on Netflix on March 20, as the COVID-19 pandemic started to really affect people. In fact, as of April 8, Tiger King was seen by 34 million viewers in 10 days.
The story of Tiger King follows Joe Exotic, former owner fo G.W. Zoo in Greater Wyneewood, Oklahoma, and Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue in St. Cloud, Florida as they go through an ongoing feud with one another. The show also follows the sub-plot of the disappearance of Don Lewis, Carole Baskin’s former husband.
Here’s why everyone has been obsessed with Tiger King.
1. Tiger King has everything.
Tigers, a thruple on meth, and a sex cult, oh my! Tiger King has it all with multiple plot twists and turns in each episode that will surely leave you saying “How can this be real?” I know that’s what it had me thinking!
2. It brings to light the “big cat industry.”
The big cat ‘industry’ is anything but a normal zoo. This ‘industry’ involves keeping big cats, such as lions, tigers, panthers, jaguars, and leopards in not only captivity but often in the backyards or houses of their owners.
Most of the people who are a part of this industry are in it for the monetary profits rather than for the animals. Animals are often neglected and even killed when they are no longer “suited for their job”. For example, if someone breeds for cub petting purposes and the cubs outgrow their job, they are killed to make room for other cubs because space is limited.
Joe Exotic, for example, participates in the cub petting industry. In one episode, he is shown taking cubs from their mother seconds after birth so that they can be used for cub petting and photo ops for guests who visit the park.
Cub petting is frowned upon because of the fact that cubs are taken from their mother so early and are only “useful” (both economically and legally) for 8-12 weeks before they become too dangerous to be around guests.
3. It’s mysterious.
For those of us who like a little mystery, Tiger King has an element of this involved in the plot with the disappearance of Don Lewis, Carole Baskin’s former husband. The show uncovers many aspects of his disappearance and how Carole has reacted to it. Many who have seen the show are skeptical about his disappearance and how he was legally claimed to be dead five years and one day after his disappearance (by Carole), allowing Carole to collect a lump sum of money. To learn more about this aspect of the show, you’ll have to watch it unfold throughout the show.
As you can see, Tiger King has many interesting elements that make it a must-watch show during quarantine. Have you seen Tiger King yet? Let us know your thoughts on it in the comments!
Featured Photo via Netflix
