The hype is real: Tiger King is a must watch

Lions and tigers and exotic gay polygamous cowboy zookeepers, oh my. Released to Netflix last month, Tiger King, directed by Eric Goode, became a smash hit seemingly overnight, inspiring a slew of internet memes and public debate. While the initial hook of the docuseries arises from the majestic titular animals – the outlandish characters and the larger-than-life true story quickly become the focus.

The series follows the antics of Joe Exotic, owner of the G.W. Zoo in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, and his bitter rivalry with self-proclaimed animal-rights activist Carole Baskin, CEO of Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida, who scorns Exotic’s breeding and monetizing of lions and tigers.

What ensues is a relentless media war between the two that alone provides viewers with an engaging debate on the difference between an animal refuge and a zoo, as Exotic is quick to exclaim both he and Baskin are in the business to make money. We are also taken into Exotic’s eccentric campaign for the 2016 presidency and his 2018 campaign to be Gov. of Oklahoma.

Exotic is clearly the focus of the show, claiming throughout, “People don’t come to see the tigers; they come to see me.” However, several other colorful characters, mostly those involved with G.W Zoo, are followed, including the manager, a busy man with two prosthetic legs, a worker whose arm was devoured by a tiger, and the young, (self-proclaimed straight) ex-husband to Exotic. We get a glimpse into this almost extra-terrestrial zoo while learning about the widespread, illegal market of big cats in the U.S.

The docuseries, which was shot over the span of five years, includes dozens of subplots, each cascading into a climax fraught with death, embezzlement, the F.B.I. and a potential assassination. Whether you’re a lover of tigers, crime shows, or wild hillbillies, “Tiger King” likely offers a mix for you. If nothing else, it may be worth a watch so that you can finally understand all the memes it’s inspired.