Joe vs. Carole (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 8 - Episode #1.8 - full transcript
Joe.
Water's great.
What ya thinking about?
How happy you make me.
So where you wanna go?
Somewhere where there's
a beach, definitely.
Then the beach it is.
Maybe Galveston or Gulf Shores.
How long before you think
we'll be able to go back?
To Oklahoma?
Well, I don't think we're ever
gonna be able to go back there.
You know, Jeff Lowe's
got a lot of shit on me,
and the way I left
things, he's not exactly
a "let bygones be
bygones" kind of guy.
So we're just gonna start
another zoo somewhere else?
No, I can't start a
zoo, or they'll find me.
But doesn't mean we can't
have pets wherever we go.
But how are we gonna make money?
Have you even met me yet?
You know I'm gonna find a way.
Shit. Just stay cool.
Think they see me?
You think they're
looking for you?
Just act natural.
You think you look
natural doing that?
Shut up and eat the chips.
I didn't know what
color you wanted,
so I got brown and red.
You sure you gotta do this?
Yeah, I can't risk
being recognized.
- Hand me the scissors.
- Yeah.
Okay.
Fuck it! I just
won't get caught.
Agents Nishida and
Thomas, Fish and Wildlife.
Oh.
The surf-and-turf cops.
I was wondering when you
would get around to visiting.
Why's that?
'Cause I'm the one
that told Allen Glover
to tell you guys what
Joe put him up to.
I also told him to
be totally honest.
- Is that right?
- Yeah, that's right.
You wanna know why?
Because I'm a big
believer in transparency.
It's kind of like my
personal philosophy.
You know where Joe is?
If I knew where he was,
I would've turned that
piece of shit in myself.
Little fucker gutted my zoo.
You have anything to do
with the murder-for-hire.
- Glover told us about?
- Beyond what I heard?
No, I... I try not
to associate myself
with shady
individuals like that.
Really?
You seem to be mixed up
with a lot of them in this case.
Yeah, well, you think you
know some people, right?
We have reason to believe
Joe is abusing animals here
in addition to the
murder-for-hire.
Look, if you guys wanna
take a look around my zoo,
go ahead, knock yourselves
out, be my guests.
But do humanity a
favor, all right?
You lock that motherfucker up
and you throw away the key.
Yeah?
I don't know what
that guy's guilty of,
but he is definitely
guilty of something.
Willkommen, bienvenue,
welcome to Big Cat Rescue.
I am Carole Baskin.
It's been a while since
I've given a tour myself,
but I am excited to get
back in the swing of things.
Let us... begin.
This is Cat Sajak.
He came to us about 16
months ago from an owner
who was not very nice to him.
And unfortunately he's
just one of countless
abused and mistreated animals
trapped in cages all
across this country.
And that is why I am
personally determined
to get back to Washington to...
Arthur?
Arthur?
Come on. Can you see?
Mom?
Mom.
Sorry.
I'm so sorry. Where was I?
Just Congress. The bill.
Congress. Yeah.
That is wh... excuse me.
That's why it's critical
that we get our bill
to the House for a vote,
because cats like this
are depending on it.
So let's move along to
the servals, please.
- It's so cute.
- Looks just like the picture.
Mm-hmm.
I'm gonna get the
key from the lockbox.
Okay.
- Hi there.
- Hi.
Did you rent the Gentry house?
Yes, ma'am, we did.
Well, welcome to
the neighborhood.
Thank you.
- I'm Deanna.
- Hi.
You and your son should
come over, barbecue with us.
Well, he's actually my
husband, and we'd love to.
How about this weekend?
I cook a mean steak.
I'll check with my husband.
Sounds good. You do that.
Thomas, you there?
Yeah.
You find anything
in Joe's house?
Just an old laptop and a dildo.
- Well, take the laptop.
- Leave the dildo.
Roger that.
- We found something.
- You better get over here.
Looks like four tigers.
Scratch that, five.
Damn.
We gotta get this guy.
The police were here, Joe.
Well, not the police.
I don't know who they
were, but they had badges.
Shit. The FBI?
Tell him they were chickens
coming home to roost.
- Shh.
- I don't know who they were,
but they were asking
all sorts of questions.
Well, did you tell 'em anything?
I don't know anything.
They were saying
crazy stuff about you
trying to hurt Carole Baskin.
What's that all about?
Fuck.
I think I really messed up.
Whatever it is, I'm
sure you can fix it.
I don't know if I can this time.
You still there, Joe?
I don't know what to do.
Well, you're gonna
take a breath,
and then you're gonna figure
it out like you always do.
You're a good boy. You hear me?
Okay.
You need any money?
I could maybe manage $200.
- How about three?
- All right.
What's your new phone number?
I wanna check in on you.
- 850...
- Wait, let me get a pen.
Now, what was it?
Eight something?
850-555-0187.
Keep that number
to yourself, Ma.
Don't you worry.
I love you, Ma.
I love you too, Joe.
Nishida.
- Nishida.
- I'm busy.
You're gonna wanna hear this.
I got Joe's burner
number and pinged it.
- Are you serious?
- We know where he is.
Shit, Thomas.
Did you just do something right?
I won't let it get to my head.
Let's go.
I really wanna work on my lats.
Get that V shape
going, you know?
Did I tell you I found a gym?
It's so great here.
I gotta find me a second job
so we can afford a house
that'll accept pets.
Got any leads?
Well, there's a job
up at the hospital.
I was thinking of dropping
my résumé up there later.
- Look at you.
- I know.
That's all I really
want now, Dillon,
is a small place for you
and me and a couple of dogs.
Maybe a snake.
- On the ground!
- Federal agents!
- On the ground!
- Get down! Get down!
Quiet. Simple.
Doesn't that sound nice?
Joseph Schreibvogel
Maldonado-Passage,
you are under arrest.
Hey.
Hey, Jamie. How are you?
Well, it's nice coming around
without having security guards.
Yeah.
Just getting used to the
feeling of sitting out here
without having to worry
someone's trying to kill us.
Sort of forgot
what that was like.
Where's Mom?
Oh, she's inside packing.
Hey, what's a
three-letter word for...
Never mind, I got it.
Eel.
I have nothing to wear.
- What are you talking about?
- You've got everything to wear.
Cat print works in
Tampa at Big Cat Rescue.
I'm testifying in Oklahoma
in front of Oklahomans.
Do you think that's safe?
Joe's people are gonna be there.
What if something... happens?
The U.S. Attorney's Office
is providing protection.
They've got everything
pretty buttoned up.
Okay. I mean, it's
just that, you know,
things are starting
to get back to normal.
And they have other
people testifying.
- You don't have to go.
- Jamie, they didn't just
charge Joe for
trying to kill me.
They charged him for trying
to hurt those tigers.
If he's convicted, that opens
the door for law enforcement
to go after all these
other animal abusers.
I can't stop now.
I just think you should
be going on a vacation
after everything you've
been going through.
Oh, I haven't taken one of
those since my honeymoon.
- Yeah, that's 15 years ago.
- You guys deserve one.
You should be lying on a
beach somewhere, Mom. You won.
Not yet.
People find Joe charming
for God knows what
reason, but they do.
- It's a court of law.
- It's not a popularity contest.
That's what I thought
about Congress.
All he needs is
one juror, Jamie.
Just one.
Okay.
What about this?
It's dull and bad.
Do you think the jury
will think I look weird?
Couldn't look any
weirder than Joe.
Buddy. How are you, man?
Oh, it's good to see you.
Good to see you, man.
- How you doing?
- Good.
Come on in.
Oh! Hey, now.
- Oh, sorry.
- That's okay.
This place is like
an obstacle course
with all the baby
stuff, but I don't know.
I can't walk by this shit
in the store and not buy it.
You know what I'm saying?
Daddy kryptonite.
- Yeah.
- I been there.
Yep.
So how's Amber?
We're
trying to work it out.
Yeah, I been there too.
Yeah.
You going to the trial?
Shit.
Only if they make me.
I can't believe Joe
could go to prison
basically for the
rest of his life.
He made his bed.
Well, you don't feel
bad for him at all?
Look, I feel lots of things.
But bad for Joe
ain't one of 'em.
Now, John, don't hold
on to that anger, buddy.
That shit will eat you up.
And you got a whole
new life here.
- Forget how he treated you?
- No.
But I also haven't forgotten how
when I was down, he
was there for me.
You don't miss him at all?
I miss the zoo.
Yeah.
I miss the gators.
I miss Travis.
Yeah.
She's up.
Oh, my.
Look at you.
Wow. Hi.
You are precious.
- You gonna say hi?
- Hey, baby.
- Got your little gators on.
- Ain't she cute?
Come on, say hi.
You wanna say hi?
Hi, baby girl. Oh, my gosh.
You were supposed to
be here yesterday.
Yeah.
- Well, what happened?
- I'm staying with my sister.
It's far, and the
truck's been acting up.
I wasn't sure it'd even make it.
You ain't on Grindr, are you?
No.
- You fucking somebody?
- Stop it.
It's just
this place creeps me out.
Yeah? How do you think I feel?
I gotta live here.
They got me in an 8x8 box.
- This is hard for me too.
- I know it is.
But you gotta put your big
boy pants on now, Dillon.
The trial's starting. I
need you there for support.
What?
I don't think I can
come to the trial.
Why the hell not?
I gotta get a job, Joe.
Pay for food and gas.
What am I supposed to do?
I didn't count on
you being gone.
Listen to me.
They're gonna find me innocent.
They're gonna let me outta here.
Then you and me are
gonna start a life,
and it's gonna be
better than it was
'cause all this shit's
gonna be behind us.
We just gotta get through this.
You hear me?
Yeah. Okay.
You look good.
You been hitting the gym?
Yeah. Tanning bed too.
Mrs. Baskin?
Do you solemnly swear
to tell the truth,
the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth,
so help you God?
I do.
Imagine having to live
your life every day
not knowing if you're
gonna get attacked or shot
when you go to the grocery store
or when you go get gas.
That's what Joe
really took from me...
The ability to live my life
and to have some sense
of control over it.
I can't imagine what
that must have been like.
He took far more
from those tigers.
Five tigers... Beautiful,
healthy tigers.
Killed them in cold blood.
They were defenseless.
And he executed them one by one.
He claims to love animals,
and yet he did that.
The person that Joe really is
is the person who
ordered my murder
and who murdered those tigers.
Thank you, Mrs. Baskin,
for sharing that
and for your courage
in coming here today.
Ju... can I just
say one more thing?
Joe is just the
tip of the iceberg.
There are so many more out
there who are hurting big cats
by breeding them
and keeping them in cages
for their entire lives.
- Objection, Your Honor.
- Relevance.
- Excuse me.
- Sustained.
And they say that they
are licensed by the USDA,
but the only thing you
need to get a USDA license
is a name and an address,
and I'm not making that up.
- Your Honor.
- The law itself must change.
That is the only way
it's going to stop.
- Mrs. Baskin.
- Sorry.
- Mrs. Baskin, I'm gonna...
- Thank you.
Mrs. Baskin, I'm gonna
ask you to refrain
from answering questions
that weren't asked of you.
Yes.
Your witness.
- Mrs. Baskin?
- Yes.
Isn't it possible that Joe
was just blowing off steam
when he said he wanted you dead?
That he didn't mean
to be taken seriously?
Well, I certainly
took it seriously.
So you called the police, then?
Well, n... I mean...
I didn't call the pol...
That's what someone does
when they're threatened.
So when Joe trespassed
on your sanctuary,
as you claim, did
you call the police?
Well, I had him removed
and then, after that,
had no grounds on which
to call the police.
And when Joe chartered
a helicopter,
flew it over your sanctuary,
did you call the police then?
I did not know, actually,
which authorities to...
Just answer yes or no, please.
When Joe made a video in
which he shot a blow-up doll
he named Carole, did
you call the police?
I tried to obtain
a restraining order
but was denied one.
Yes or no, please.
When Joe blew up a mattress
and said you were next,
did you call the police then?
Answer the question, please.
I'm... I'm trying.
He's not letting me
answer the question.
They're yes or no
questions, Your Honor.
Sir, he's trying to
make it seem like
because I didn't
immediately call the police,
I didn't feel threatened.
And any survivor of
domestic violence will know
that that's not...
It's not that simple.
I'm gonna ask you to
answer the question
that is asked with
a yes or a no.
If you can't do
that, I'm gonna have
to hold you in
contempt of court.
For answering the question?
You're not answering
the question.
I am trying to provide context.
Mrs. Baskin, yes or no.
This is the last
time I'm asking.
All right.
Let's try this again, shall we?
Mrs. Baskin, when Joe
visited your sanctuary,
did you call the police?
No, I did not.
And when Joe chartered
a helicopter and flew it
over your sanctuary, did
you call the police then?
No.
Sorry, a little louder
for the jury, please.
No.
Okay.
Why don't you unwind
and I'll order us some dinner?
Maybe a bath?
I was thinking maybe takeout.
Oh, you don't want room service?
Nah.
Could we get
from that Mexican
place on the corner?
Oh. Yeah, sure.
I know it wasn't without
some bumps today.
I think you did a great job.
I'll be back in a minute.
I forgot my wallet.
I'm so angry. I'm so angry.
I see that.
I know today didn't go
the way you wanted, but...
- It's not just today.
- It's every day.
Every day, I am so angry.
Okay.
Can you tell me what
you're angry about?
The judge, Joe's lawyer,
Joe, Doc Antle,
Jeff Lowe, my first husband,
my second husband, men.
All these men who
treat me like shit!
I'm... I...
I'm so sorry.
I didn't know you
were feeling all this.
I know. I didn't... I
didn't want you to know.
Why?
On our wedding day
when you were late,
I had this feeling like,
"Oh, my God, he knows.
"He knows I'm fucking crazy.
"And he's figured it out,
and now he's trying to get as
far away from me as possible."
And
then you showed up in
your caveman outfit.
But that feeling never left.
That feeling of, "Oh,
my God. He knows.
"He knows I'm messed up.
"He knows
that I have a broken heart."
And,
and you don't.
And you deserve...
Something better.
From the first day we met
you made it clear that
you weren't perfect.
But I always knew you
were perfect for me.
Whatever you're feeling,
everything you're feeling,
let me hold it with you.
Where the hell's Carole?
I don't know.
Reinke ain't here neither.
Ms. Green, your next witness.
Your honor, I call Erik Cowie.
You imagine...
You're in a cage
and the man who's
supposed to protect you,
he pulls out a gun and...
I didn't know what
you were cap...
What he was capable of.
What did Joe ask you
to do for that $3,000?
He told me to kill the bitch.
Excuse me, lady, Carole.
I was never gonna do it.
And what exactly did the
authorities have you on?
It's so stupid. Lemurs.
Turning the feds on Joe
got you out of that
charge, didn't it?
Man, that's not why I did it.
I told the feds
what was going on
because it was the
right thing to do.
Mr. Finlay?
Yeah.
You were married to Joe,
but you had a falling-out,
isn't that right?
Lots of marriages
don't work out.
You were barely out of
high school when you met.
Do you feel Joe acted in a
predatory way towards you?
Like?
Did he take advantage of you?
What we had was real.
Special.
I know some people might
find that hard to understand,
but...
I loved Joe.
And I know he loved me.
Were you aware of threats Joe
made against Carole Baskin?
Yes, ma'am.
But I don't think he
meant any of them.
I mean, she's alive, ain't she?
Mr. Finlay, doing
something illegal badly
doesn't make it less illegal.
Tell me, did Joe have firearms?
Everybody I know has firearms.
Did Joe have an
AR-15 assault rifle?
Yes, ma'am.
And did this assault
rifle have a special name?
Yes, ma'am.
What was that special name?
Mr. Finlay?
He called it his...
"Going to Tampa" gun.
And who lives in Tampa?
Carole Baskin.
Thank you.
No more questions.
You should have seen it, Dillon.
That prosecutor bitch
made me out to be
some kind of
Yosemite Sam on meth.
Who?
Fuckin' Cowie stabbed
me in the back.
And Rink don't even show
up to the court no more.
Don't those guys get it?
I had to put down those tigers.
I had no choice. I
gave those guys a home.
I guess that fucking zoo wasn't
everything I thought it was.
- Hey.
- Hey, what's going on?
- What the fuck are you doing?
- Getting gas.
Who are you talking to?
I'm paying.
I'm pouring my heart out here!
Okay, I'm listening. Jesus.
I'm just saying that no
one's stepping up for me!
I'm all alone in
that damn courtroom.
What are you getting at?
I'm saying I gotta get up
there and defend myself.
Didn't your lawyer say
testifying was really risky?
What the fuck does
my lawyer know?
It's my life on the line.
That's what I'm worried about.
Look, I've been
performing for crowds
longer than you've been alive.
If there's one thing
I know how to do,
it's connect with an audience.
Your Honor...
I call Joe Maldonado-Passage.
Joe
are you a violent person?
No, I am not.
Ladies and gentlemen,
let me tell you who I am.
This is a story of a young man
who wasn't given much of
a chance to be anything
by anyone.
It was a man who,
against all odds,
built his own business
with his two bare hands.
Take a look at 'em.
They're small.
They're strong.
They're hardworking.
And with them, I carved out
a little slice of heaven
in Wynnewood, Oklahoma,
where kids could
come and love on
some beautiful and
often unwanted animals.
It's where society's
human rejects
also found sanctuary,
gainful employment,
and community.
Every one of you
were welcome at my zoo!
Then
one day, a rich
woman from Florida
came down from her mountain
to make my life a living hell!
She had a way of doing
that with people.
You know, I'd tell you to ask
her husband how he ended up,
but you'd have to
find his corpse first.
That's right. I ain't found it.
She ain't telling, 'cause
she's so far above us.
And I'm just a
dumb redneck faggot
who nobody gives
a rat's ass about!
But there's one thing
she don't realize.
I... am you.
I'm you.
And I'm you.
And I might very well be you.
I worked my whole life.
I live paycheck to paycheck.
I earned everything I got.
You know what?
Never asked for a handout.
Were there times where I didn't
have enough food for my cats?
Yes.
I bet there were times
when you could not
give the best of everything
to your children.
Your Honor...
I'm sorry if I scared Carole,
even though she
kind of deserved it.
If I could take back blowing
up that Carole doll, I would.
You know, telling everybody
that she was the next to die...
Cutting off that Carole head
and putting it in a jar...
I was angry. I'll admit it.
But wouldn't you be, too,
if someone was trying to tear
down everything you built?
God damn it.
My whole life, all I've
ever wanted to do...
Was to bring joy to people.
And like I said,
nobody gave me much
of a chance to do it.
But you can.
Brothers and sisters,
I'm innocent.
I'm as innocent as you are.
And that's the 100%
God's honest truth.
Carole.
Howie, I'm about to
go on Spanish TV.
They're doing a piece
on the Big Cat Act.
And so uno momento, por favor.
The verdict is in.
In the case of the
United States of America
versus Joseph Maldonado-Passage,
on the first count
of murder for hire,
we, the jury, find
the defendant...
Guilty. He's guilty.
On the second count
of violating the
Endangered Species Act,
we, the jury, find
the defend guilty.
He's guilty!
I'm so sorry, Joe.
- Hey, Cowie.
- Did you hear the good news?
They found that
little fucker guilty.
I guess there is
justice after all, huh?
Mm-hmm.
And in other news,
in the trial of Joseph
Maldonado-Passage,
also known as Joe Exotic,
the verdict is
guilty on all counts.
Sentencing is to be
scheduled in the coming days.
Now back to traffic.
How about I get
some massage oils
and give you one of my
world-famous foot rubs, hmm?
- Howard.
- Hmm, hmm?
- No, I'm working.
- Huh?
Please, I'm working.
- Thank you.
- All right.
I would've thought,
with the news,
that you would be ecstatic.
I'm relieved.
He's just one, Howard.
And there are so many more.
I know this is important to you,
to us.
Let's say that you end
all big cat ownership.
We get everything that
we worked towards.
Would that bring
you a bit of peace?
I don't know.
You're being transferred.
Where?
It's a good facility.
- Don't worry.
- We'll take good care of you.
We take care of
all of our rescues.
- Hey, it's Dillon.
- Leave a message.
Where the fuck are you, Dillon?
You're supposed to be
answering your phone.
I'm all alone here.
Nobody comes to see me.
It's like I don't
even exist anymore.
I can't do 20 years, man.
I can't do 20 years.
I don't even know if
I can do another day.
Oh, dope.
That is a fine-looking
Frida Cat-lo.
- Valerie, are you blind?
- This is a Jackson Paw-lock.
I stand corrected.
Hey, the documentary
people are here.
Oh.
- Hold my calls.
- Okay.
Oh, she's dressed perfectly.
- Hi.
- Hello.
- Eric Goode.
- Hey.
- Thanks for doing this.
- Oh, my pleasure.
I'm always happy to
talk about big cats.
So how many people are gonna see
this little documentary
of yours, do you think?
Oh, hard to say.
- I hope a lot.
- Oh.
Me too.
Sounds exciting.
Okay.
Where, like this?
Or you want me to get
down so you got this cat?
Yeah, that's great.
Thank you.
Okay.
This is Joseph the lion,
and he's from a
facility in Ohio.
And
he's about to get nasty with me.
I don't usually get this close.
Yo.
You're Joe, the Tiger King.
My cousin saw your
movie on Netflix.
He said you were dope as shit.
You mean that
documentary came out?
Dude, do you check your email?
No.
Hey, yo. It is the Tiger King.
That's motherfucking
Joe, the Tiger King.
Everybody loves me.
Well, it's official.
I'm a meme.
Try to put your phone away, Mom.
Twitter is the worst.
Some of them are clever.
"New Friskies flavor:
Dead husband."
You shouldn't read those.
Here's Don on a
teenybopper magazine
called "Tiger Meat."
Here's an arrow
pointing to my crotch
and it says "Grey Gardens."
That's great.
If it gets people talking
about the plight of big cats,
- then it was worth it.
- Mm.
That's what it was
all for, right?
Okay. We are here.
- Come on.
- Okay.
Hey, I'm gonna go
have a look around.
Okay.
- Have fun.
- Okay.
Carole
they're just stupid
internet people.
Everybody hates me.
They don't know you.
That never stopped anybody.
Well, if they would just
stop focusing on the lurid
for one second,
they'd see everything
you've accomplished.
Who else could have gotten
the House of Representatives
to pass a sweeping
big cat bill, hmm?
Still has to pass the Senate.
It's within reach.
Everything you set out to do.
Look around this zoo.
This is yours now.
No cat will ever be bred
here or put in a cage again,
and you did that.
- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.
I think there's somewhere
else I'd like to go.
Okay. Where?
You'll see.
So this is relaxing?
Mm-hmm, that's the idea.
Would you like some
sunscreen, my lady?
No, I'm okay.
You got a big glob
on your cheek.
Do I look undignified?
Impossible, my prince.
I must say I am shocked you
decided to go on a vacation.
I wanted to take a moment
to celebrate my victory.
Did you hear? I won
the Howie sweepstakes.
Oh.
I didn't know you'd entered.
I mean, you know me.
I'm never gonna stop
trying to save big cats.
I'm never gonna chill out.
But...
I don't know.
World can't be all
bad with you in it.
I have an insane idea.
- May I have this dance, sir?
- Oh!
Oh-ho-ho!
I'm back, motherfuckers.
Water's great.
What ya thinking about?
How happy you make me.
So where you wanna go?
Somewhere where there's
a beach, definitely.
Then the beach it is.
Maybe Galveston or Gulf Shores.
How long before you think
we'll be able to go back?
To Oklahoma?
Well, I don't think we're ever
gonna be able to go back there.
You know, Jeff Lowe's
got a lot of shit on me,
and the way I left
things, he's not exactly
a "let bygones be
bygones" kind of guy.
So we're just gonna start
another zoo somewhere else?
No, I can't start a
zoo, or they'll find me.
But doesn't mean we can't
have pets wherever we go.
But how are we gonna make money?
Have you even met me yet?
You know I'm gonna find a way.
Shit. Just stay cool.
Think they see me?
You think they're
looking for you?
Just act natural.
You think you look
natural doing that?
Shut up and eat the chips.
I didn't know what
color you wanted,
so I got brown and red.
You sure you gotta do this?
Yeah, I can't risk
being recognized.
- Hand me the scissors.
- Yeah.
Okay.
Fuck it! I just
won't get caught.
Agents Nishida and
Thomas, Fish and Wildlife.
Oh.
The surf-and-turf cops.
I was wondering when you
would get around to visiting.
Why's that?
'Cause I'm the one
that told Allen Glover
to tell you guys what
Joe put him up to.
I also told him to
be totally honest.
- Is that right?
- Yeah, that's right.
You wanna know why?
Because I'm a big
believer in transparency.
It's kind of like my
personal philosophy.
You know where Joe is?
If I knew where he was,
I would've turned that
piece of shit in myself.
Little fucker gutted my zoo.
You have anything to do
with the murder-for-hire.
- Glover told us about?
- Beyond what I heard?
No, I... I try not
to associate myself
with shady
individuals like that.
Really?
You seem to be mixed up
with a lot of them in this case.
Yeah, well, you think you
know some people, right?
We have reason to believe
Joe is abusing animals here
in addition to the
murder-for-hire.
Look, if you guys wanna
take a look around my zoo,
go ahead, knock yourselves
out, be my guests.
But do humanity a
favor, all right?
You lock that motherfucker up
and you throw away the key.
Yeah?
I don't know what
that guy's guilty of,
but he is definitely
guilty of something.
Willkommen, bienvenue,
welcome to Big Cat Rescue.
I am Carole Baskin.
It's been a while since
I've given a tour myself,
but I am excited to get
back in the swing of things.
Let us... begin.
This is Cat Sajak.
He came to us about 16
months ago from an owner
who was not very nice to him.
And unfortunately he's
just one of countless
abused and mistreated animals
trapped in cages all
across this country.
And that is why I am
personally determined
to get back to Washington to...
Arthur?
Arthur?
Come on. Can you see?
Mom?
Mom.
Sorry.
I'm so sorry. Where was I?
Just Congress. The bill.
Congress. Yeah.
That is wh... excuse me.
That's why it's critical
that we get our bill
to the House for a vote,
because cats like this
are depending on it.
So let's move along to
the servals, please.
- It's so cute.
- Looks just like the picture.
Mm-hmm.
I'm gonna get the
key from the lockbox.
Okay.
- Hi there.
- Hi.
Did you rent the Gentry house?
Yes, ma'am, we did.
Well, welcome to
the neighborhood.
Thank you.
- I'm Deanna.
- Hi.
You and your son should
come over, barbecue with us.
Well, he's actually my
husband, and we'd love to.
How about this weekend?
I cook a mean steak.
I'll check with my husband.
Sounds good. You do that.
Thomas, you there?
Yeah.
You find anything
in Joe's house?
Just an old laptop and a dildo.
- Well, take the laptop.
- Leave the dildo.
Roger that.
- We found something.
- You better get over here.
Looks like four tigers.
Scratch that, five.
Damn.
We gotta get this guy.
The police were here, Joe.
Well, not the police.
I don't know who they
were, but they had badges.
Shit. The FBI?
Tell him they were chickens
coming home to roost.
- Shh.
- I don't know who they were,
but they were asking
all sorts of questions.
Well, did you tell 'em anything?
I don't know anything.
They were saying
crazy stuff about you
trying to hurt Carole Baskin.
What's that all about?
Fuck.
I think I really messed up.
Whatever it is, I'm
sure you can fix it.
I don't know if I can this time.
You still there, Joe?
I don't know what to do.
Well, you're gonna
take a breath,
and then you're gonna figure
it out like you always do.
You're a good boy. You hear me?
Okay.
You need any money?
I could maybe manage $200.
- How about three?
- All right.
What's your new phone number?
I wanna check in on you.
- 850...
- Wait, let me get a pen.
Now, what was it?
Eight something?
850-555-0187.
Keep that number
to yourself, Ma.
Don't you worry.
I love you, Ma.
I love you too, Joe.
Nishida.
- Nishida.
- I'm busy.
You're gonna wanna hear this.
I got Joe's burner
number and pinged it.
- Are you serious?
- We know where he is.
Shit, Thomas.
Did you just do something right?
I won't let it get to my head.
Let's go.
I really wanna work on my lats.
Get that V shape
going, you know?
Did I tell you I found a gym?
It's so great here.
I gotta find me a second job
so we can afford a house
that'll accept pets.
Got any leads?
Well, there's a job
up at the hospital.
I was thinking of dropping
my résumé up there later.
- Look at you.
- I know.
That's all I really
want now, Dillon,
is a small place for you
and me and a couple of dogs.
Maybe a snake.
- On the ground!
- Federal agents!
- On the ground!
- Get down! Get down!
Quiet. Simple.
Doesn't that sound nice?
Joseph Schreibvogel
Maldonado-Passage,
you are under arrest.
Hey.
Hey, Jamie. How are you?
Well, it's nice coming around
without having security guards.
Yeah.
Just getting used to the
feeling of sitting out here
without having to worry
someone's trying to kill us.
Sort of forgot
what that was like.
Where's Mom?
Oh, she's inside packing.
Hey, what's a
three-letter word for...
Never mind, I got it.
Eel.
I have nothing to wear.
- What are you talking about?
- You've got everything to wear.
Cat print works in
Tampa at Big Cat Rescue.
I'm testifying in Oklahoma
in front of Oklahomans.
Do you think that's safe?
Joe's people are gonna be there.
What if something... happens?
The U.S. Attorney's Office
is providing protection.
They've got everything
pretty buttoned up.
Okay. I mean, it's
just that, you know,
things are starting
to get back to normal.
And they have other
people testifying.
- You don't have to go.
- Jamie, they didn't just
charge Joe for
trying to kill me.
They charged him for trying
to hurt those tigers.
If he's convicted, that opens
the door for law enforcement
to go after all these
other animal abusers.
I can't stop now.
I just think you should
be going on a vacation
after everything you've
been going through.
Oh, I haven't taken one of
those since my honeymoon.
- Yeah, that's 15 years ago.
- You guys deserve one.
You should be lying on a
beach somewhere, Mom. You won.
Not yet.
People find Joe charming
for God knows what
reason, but they do.
- It's a court of law.
- It's not a popularity contest.
That's what I thought
about Congress.
All he needs is
one juror, Jamie.
Just one.
Okay.
What about this?
It's dull and bad.
Do you think the jury
will think I look weird?
Couldn't look any
weirder than Joe.
Buddy. How are you, man?
Oh, it's good to see you.
Good to see you, man.
- How you doing?
- Good.
Come on in.
Oh! Hey, now.
- Oh, sorry.
- That's okay.
This place is like
an obstacle course
with all the baby
stuff, but I don't know.
I can't walk by this shit
in the store and not buy it.
You know what I'm saying?
Daddy kryptonite.
- Yeah.
- I been there.
Yep.
So how's Amber?
We're
trying to work it out.
Yeah, I been there too.
Yeah.
You going to the trial?
Shit.
Only if they make me.
I can't believe Joe
could go to prison
basically for the
rest of his life.
He made his bed.
Well, you don't feel
bad for him at all?
Look, I feel lots of things.
But bad for Joe
ain't one of 'em.
Now, John, don't hold
on to that anger, buddy.
That shit will eat you up.
And you got a whole
new life here.
- Forget how he treated you?
- No.
But I also haven't forgotten how
when I was down, he
was there for me.
You don't miss him at all?
I miss the zoo.
Yeah.
I miss the gators.
I miss Travis.
Yeah.
She's up.
Oh, my.
Look at you.
Wow. Hi.
You are precious.
- You gonna say hi?
- Hey, baby.
- Got your little gators on.
- Ain't she cute?
Come on, say hi.
You wanna say hi?
Hi, baby girl. Oh, my gosh.
You were supposed to
be here yesterday.
Yeah.
- Well, what happened?
- I'm staying with my sister.
It's far, and the
truck's been acting up.
I wasn't sure it'd even make it.
You ain't on Grindr, are you?
No.
- You fucking somebody?
- Stop it.
It's just
this place creeps me out.
Yeah? How do you think I feel?
I gotta live here.
They got me in an 8x8 box.
- This is hard for me too.
- I know it is.
But you gotta put your big
boy pants on now, Dillon.
The trial's starting. I
need you there for support.
What?
I don't think I can
come to the trial.
Why the hell not?
I gotta get a job, Joe.
Pay for food and gas.
What am I supposed to do?
I didn't count on
you being gone.
Listen to me.
They're gonna find me innocent.
They're gonna let me outta here.
Then you and me are
gonna start a life,
and it's gonna be
better than it was
'cause all this shit's
gonna be behind us.
We just gotta get through this.
You hear me?
Yeah. Okay.
You look good.
You been hitting the gym?
Yeah. Tanning bed too.
Mrs. Baskin?
Do you solemnly swear
to tell the truth,
the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth,
so help you God?
I do.
Imagine having to live
your life every day
not knowing if you're
gonna get attacked or shot
when you go to the grocery store
or when you go get gas.
That's what Joe
really took from me...
The ability to live my life
and to have some sense
of control over it.
I can't imagine what
that must have been like.
He took far more
from those tigers.
Five tigers... Beautiful,
healthy tigers.
Killed them in cold blood.
They were defenseless.
And he executed them one by one.
He claims to love animals,
and yet he did that.
The person that Joe really is
is the person who
ordered my murder
and who murdered those tigers.
Thank you, Mrs. Baskin,
for sharing that
and for your courage
in coming here today.
Ju... can I just
say one more thing?
Joe is just the
tip of the iceberg.
There are so many more out
there who are hurting big cats
by breeding them
and keeping them in cages
for their entire lives.
- Objection, Your Honor.
- Relevance.
- Excuse me.
- Sustained.
And they say that they
are licensed by the USDA,
but the only thing you
need to get a USDA license
is a name and an address,
and I'm not making that up.
- Your Honor.
- The law itself must change.
That is the only way
it's going to stop.
- Mrs. Baskin.
- Sorry.
- Mrs. Baskin, I'm gonna...
- Thank you.
Mrs. Baskin, I'm gonna
ask you to refrain
from answering questions
that weren't asked of you.
Yes.
Your witness.
- Mrs. Baskin?
- Yes.
Isn't it possible that Joe
was just blowing off steam
when he said he wanted you dead?
That he didn't mean
to be taken seriously?
Well, I certainly
took it seriously.
So you called the police, then?
Well, n... I mean...
I didn't call the pol...
That's what someone does
when they're threatened.
So when Joe trespassed
on your sanctuary,
as you claim, did
you call the police?
Well, I had him removed
and then, after that,
had no grounds on which
to call the police.
And when Joe chartered
a helicopter,
flew it over your sanctuary,
did you call the police then?
I did not know, actually,
which authorities to...
Just answer yes or no, please.
When Joe made a video in
which he shot a blow-up doll
he named Carole, did
you call the police?
I tried to obtain
a restraining order
but was denied one.
Yes or no, please.
When Joe blew up a mattress
and said you were next,
did you call the police then?
Answer the question, please.
I'm... I'm trying.
He's not letting me
answer the question.
They're yes or no
questions, Your Honor.
Sir, he's trying to
make it seem like
because I didn't
immediately call the police,
I didn't feel threatened.
And any survivor of
domestic violence will know
that that's not...
It's not that simple.
I'm gonna ask you to
answer the question
that is asked with
a yes or a no.
If you can't do
that, I'm gonna have
to hold you in
contempt of court.
For answering the question?
You're not answering
the question.
I am trying to provide context.
Mrs. Baskin, yes or no.
This is the last
time I'm asking.
All right.
Let's try this again, shall we?
Mrs. Baskin, when Joe
visited your sanctuary,
did you call the police?
No, I did not.
And when Joe chartered
a helicopter and flew it
over your sanctuary, did
you call the police then?
No.
Sorry, a little louder
for the jury, please.
No.
Okay.
Why don't you unwind
and I'll order us some dinner?
Maybe a bath?
I was thinking maybe takeout.
Oh, you don't want room service?
Nah.
Could we get
from that Mexican
place on the corner?
Oh. Yeah, sure.
I know it wasn't without
some bumps today.
I think you did a great job.
I'll be back in a minute.
I forgot my wallet.
I'm so angry. I'm so angry.
I see that.
I know today didn't go
the way you wanted, but...
- It's not just today.
- It's every day.
Every day, I am so angry.
Okay.
Can you tell me what
you're angry about?
The judge, Joe's lawyer,
Joe, Doc Antle,
Jeff Lowe, my first husband,
my second husband, men.
All these men who
treat me like shit!
I'm... I...
I'm so sorry.
I didn't know you
were feeling all this.
I know. I didn't... I
didn't want you to know.
Why?
On our wedding day
when you were late,
I had this feeling like,
"Oh, my God, he knows.
"He knows I'm fucking crazy.
"And he's figured it out,
and now he's trying to get as
far away from me as possible."
And
then you showed up in
your caveman outfit.
But that feeling never left.
That feeling of, "Oh,
my God. He knows.
"He knows I'm messed up.
"He knows
that I have a broken heart."
And,
and you don't.
And you deserve...
Something better.
From the first day we met
you made it clear that
you weren't perfect.
But I always knew you
were perfect for me.
Whatever you're feeling,
everything you're feeling,
let me hold it with you.
Where the hell's Carole?
I don't know.
Reinke ain't here neither.
Ms. Green, your next witness.
Your honor, I call Erik Cowie.
You imagine...
You're in a cage
and the man who's
supposed to protect you,
he pulls out a gun and...
I didn't know what
you were cap...
What he was capable of.
What did Joe ask you
to do for that $3,000?
He told me to kill the bitch.
Excuse me, lady, Carole.
I was never gonna do it.
And what exactly did the
authorities have you on?
It's so stupid. Lemurs.
Turning the feds on Joe
got you out of that
charge, didn't it?
Man, that's not why I did it.
I told the feds
what was going on
because it was the
right thing to do.
Mr. Finlay?
Yeah.
You were married to Joe,
but you had a falling-out,
isn't that right?
Lots of marriages
don't work out.
You were barely out of
high school when you met.
Do you feel Joe acted in a
predatory way towards you?
Like?
Did he take advantage of you?
What we had was real.
Special.
I know some people might
find that hard to understand,
but...
I loved Joe.
And I know he loved me.
Were you aware of threats Joe
made against Carole Baskin?
Yes, ma'am.
But I don't think he
meant any of them.
I mean, she's alive, ain't she?
Mr. Finlay, doing
something illegal badly
doesn't make it less illegal.
Tell me, did Joe have firearms?
Everybody I know has firearms.
Did Joe have an
AR-15 assault rifle?
Yes, ma'am.
And did this assault
rifle have a special name?
Yes, ma'am.
What was that special name?
Mr. Finlay?
He called it his...
"Going to Tampa" gun.
And who lives in Tampa?
Carole Baskin.
Thank you.
No more questions.
You should have seen it, Dillon.
That prosecutor bitch
made me out to be
some kind of
Yosemite Sam on meth.
Who?
Fuckin' Cowie stabbed
me in the back.
And Rink don't even show
up to the court no more.
Don't those guys get it?
I had to put down those tigers.
I had no choice. I
gave those guys a home.
I guess that fucking zoo wasn't
everything I thought it was.
- Hey.
- Hey, what's going on?
- What the fuck are you doing?
- Getting gas.
Who are you talking to?
I'm paying.
I'm pouring my heart out here!
Okay, I'm listening. Jesus.
I'm just saying that no
one's stepping up for me!
I'm all alone in
that damn courtroom.
What are you getting at?
I'm saying I gotta get up
there and defend myself.
Didn't your lawyer say
testifying was really risky?
What the fuck does
my lawyer know?
It's my life on the line.
That's what I'm worried about.
Look, I've been
performing for crowds
longer than you've been alive.
If there's one thing
I know how to do,
it's connect with an audience.
Your Honor...
I call Joe Maldonado-Passage.
Joe
are you a violent person?
No, I am not.
Ladies and gentlemen,
let me tell you who I am.
This is a story of a young man
who wasn't given much of
a chance to be anything
by anyone.
It was a man who,
against all odds,
built his own business
with his two bare hands.
Take a look at 'em.
They're small.
They're strong.
They're hardworking.
And with them, I carved out
a little slice of heaven
in Wynnewood, Oklahoma,
where kids could
come and love on
some beautiful and
often unwanted animals.
It's where society's
human rejects
also found sanctuary,
gainful employment,
and community.
Every one of you
were welcome at my zoo!
Then
one day, a rich
woman from Florida
came down from her mountain
to make my life a living hell!
She had a way of doing
that with people.
You know, I'd tell you to ask
her husband how he ended up,
but you'd have to
find his corpse first.
That's right. I ain't found it.
She ain't telling, 'cause
she's so far above us.
And I'm just a
dumb redneck faggot
who nobody gives
a rat's ass about!
But there's one thing
she don't realize.
I... am you.
I'm you.
And I'm you.
And I might very well be you.
I worked my whole life.
I live paycheck to paycheck.
I earned everything I got.
You know what?
Never asked for a handout.
Were there times where I didn't
have enough food for my cats?
Yes.
I bet there were times
when you could not
give the best of everything
to your children.
Your Honor...
I'm sorry if I scared Carole,
even though she
kind of deserved it.
If I could take back blowing
up that Carole doll, I would.
You know, telling everybody
that she was the next to die...
Cutting off that Carole head
and putting it in a jar...
I was angry. I'll admit it.
But wouldn't you be, too,
if someone was trying to tear
down everything you built?
God damn it.
My whole life, all I've
ever wanted to do...
Was to bring joy to people.
And like I said,
nobody gave me much
of a chance to do it.
But you can.
Brothers and sisters,
I'm innocent.
I'm as innocent as you are.
And that's the 100%
God's honest truth.
Carole.
Howie, I'm about to
go on Spanish TV.
They're doing a piece
on the Big Cat Act.
And so uno momento, por favor.
The verdict is in.
In the case of the
United States of America
versus Joseph Maldonado-Passage,
on the first count
of murder for hire,
we, the jury, find
the defendant...
Guilty. He's guilty.
On the second count
of violating the
Endangered Species Act,
we, the jury, find
the defend guilty.
He's guilty!
I'm so sorry, Joe.
- Hey, Cowie.
- Did you hear the good news?
They found that
little fucker guilty.
I guess there is
justice after all, huh?
Mm-hmm.
And in other news,
in the trial of Joseph
Maldonado-Passage,
also known as Joe Exotic,
the verdict is
guilty on all counts.
Sentencing is to be
scheduled in the coming days.
Now back to traffic.
How about I get
some massage oils
and give you one of my
world-famous foot rubs, hmm?
- Howard.
- Hmm, hmm?
- No, I'm working.
- Huh?
Please, I'm working.
- Thank you.
- All right.
I would've thought,
with the news,
that you would be ecstatic.
I'm relieved.
He's just one, Howard.
And there are so many more.
I know this is important to you,
to us.
Let's say that you end
all big cat ownership.
We get everything that
we worked towards.
Would that bring
you a bit of peace?
I don't know.
You're being transferred.
Where?
It's a good facility.
- Don't worry.
- We'll take good care of you.
We take care of
all of our rescues.
- Hey, it's Dillon.
- Leave a message.
Where the fuck are you, Dillon?
You're supposed to be
answering your phone.
I'm all alone here.
Nobody comes to see me.
It's like I don't
even exist anymore.
I can't do 20 years, man.
I can't do 20 years.
I don't even know if
I can do another day.
Oh, dope.
That is a fine-looking
Frida Cat-lo.
- Valerie, are you blind?
- This is a Jackson Paw-lock.
I stand corrected.
Hey, the documentary
people are here.
Oh.
- Hold my calls.
- Okay.
Oh, she's dressed perfectly.
- Hi.
- Hello.
- Eric Goode.
- Hey.
- Thanks for doing this.
- Oh, my pleasure.
I'm always happy to
talk about big cats.
So how many people are gonna see
this little documentary
of yours, do you think?
Oh, hard to say.
- I hope a lot.
- Oh.
Me too.
Sounds exciting.
Okay.
Where, like this?
Or you want me to get
down so you got this cat?
Yeah, that's great.
Thank you.
Okay.
This is Joseph the lion,
and he's from a
facility in Ohio.
And
he's about to get nasty with me.
I don't usually get this close.
Yo.
You're Joe, the Tiger King.
My cousin saw your
movie on Netflix.
He said you were dope as shit.
You mean that
documentary came out?
Dude, do you check your email?
No.
Hey, yo. It is the Tiger King.
That's motherfucking
Joe, the Tiger King.
Everybody loves me.
Well, it's official.
I'm a meme.
Try to put your phone away, Mom.
Twitter is the worst.
Some of them are clever.
"New Friskies flavor:
Dead husband."
You shouldn't read those.
Here's Don on a
teenybopper magazine
called "Tiger Meat."
Here's an arrow
pointing to my crotch
and it says "Grey Gardens."
That's great.
If it gets people talking
about the plight of big cats,
- then it was worth it.
- Mm.
That's what it was
all for, right?
Okay. We are here.
- Come on.
- Okay.
Hey, I'm gonna go
have a look around.
Okay.
- Have fun.
- Okay.
Carole
they're just stupid
internet people.
Everybody hates me.
They don't know you.
That never stopped anybody.
Well, if they would just
stop focusing on the lurid
for one second,
they'd see everything
you've accomplished.
Who else could have gotten
the House of Representatives
to pass a sweeping
big cat bill, hmm?
Still has to pass the Senate.
It's within reach.
Everything you set out to do.
Look around this zoo.
This is yours now.
No cat will ever be bred
here or put in a cage again,
and you did that.
- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.
I think there's somewhere
else I'd like to go.
Okay. Where?
You'll see.
So this is relaxing?
Mm-hmm, that's the idea.
Would you like some
sunscreen, my lady?
No, I'm okay.
You got a big glob
on your cheek.
Do I look undignified?
Impossible, my prince.
I must say I am shocked you
decided to go on a vacation.
I wanted to take a moment
to celebrate my victory.
Did you hear? I won
the Howie sweepstakes.
Oh.
I didn't know you'd entered.
I mean, you know me.
I'm never gonna stop
trying to save big cats.
I'm never gonna chill out.
But...
I don't know.
World can't be all
bad with you in it.
I have an insane idea.
- May I have this dance, sir?
- Oh!
Oh-ho-ho!
I'm back, motherfuckers.