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Netflix Releases New "Tiger King" Reunion Special Hosted By Joel McHale!

Written by Emily Holshouser. Published: April 16 2020

 

One thing we’ve all been doing at home is bingewatching shows, and one show we can’t stop talking about is the sensational Netflix hit “Tiger King”! The insane documentary focuses on privately-owned zoos and “Joe Exotic”, AKA Joseph Monaldo-Passage, the man who ruled over GW Ranch in Oklahoma. This week, Netflix blessed us with a reunion special, hosted by Joel McHale and featuring many of the key players in the series. We’re here for your recap in case you missed it, and if you did, go watch it! Go go go! Spoilers below.

 

Because of the global situation, the show was filmed remotely, with the guests and McHale chatting from home. There are still MANY questions we have about this crazy show, and not all of them were answered. We still don’t know whythis picture of Carole Baskin and her husband exists, which is honestly a tragedy.

 

But the reunion did reveal some new insights. One of the most shocking moments in the documentary was when Joe Exotic’s husband, Travis Monaldo, killed himself in front of Josh Dial, Exotic’s campaign manager. But Dial says he thinks it was an accident. Dial told McHale that Monaldo had just bought a new gun that wasn’t supposed to fire without a clip, but it did: “I was looking at him in the eyes when he did it, and I could just see the surprise and fear in his eyes.” Considering how much Monaldo’s death affected Joe and the other staff at the ranch, this is a huge reveal in that intricate web of relationships.

 

The special thankfully reinforced what became unclear in the series itself -- is Joe Exotic a bad person, or a fame-hungry, lonely man? Hint: He is DEFINITELY a bad person, and the cast generally seemed to be happy that he is in prison now.

 

 

One notable absence from the special was that of central figure Carole Baskin, owner of Big Cat Rescue in Florida. The series paints her as Joe’s mortal enemy, and she became hated after the series for her possible part in the death of her husband. Her lack of presence says a lot, and it’s worth considering if the hatred for her is the most important thing to take away from the show.

 

The reunion is a great watch if you’ve finished the series and are wanting more. Stay safe out there, all you cool cats and kittens!