Keiko disappears in Icelandic waters, swimming east for four weeks. Unobserved, with no human contact. Since nobody knows what happened to Keiko during that mysterious time, we decided to recreate it — as a musical. From Keiko’s perspective, naturally.  Sign up for our newsletter to see photos and videos of Keiko, and get a behind the scenes look at the making of The Good Whale. Sign up at nytimes.com/serialnewsletterSubscribers to the New York Times can listen to all episodes of The Good Whale early, and access the full archive of other Serial Productions and New York Times podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe at nytimes.com/podcastsHave a story pitch, a tip, or feedback on The Good Whale or other shows from Serial Productions? Email us at serialshows@nytimes.com

Explore the emotional and ethical challenges surrounding Keiko, the orca, as a new team attempts to break his bond with humans. Discover the complexities of rehabilitation efforts amid financial struggles and ideological divides among trainers. Delve into Keiko's poignant journey toward potential freedom, grappling with his longing for connection and the instinctual pulls of the wild. The narrative raises thought-provoking questions about the impact of captivity on his survival and adaptation.

In this fascinating discussion, Jeff Foster, a former orca capture specialist turned conservationist, shares his remarkable journey from the captivity industry to advocating for orca freedom. He delves into the emotional challenges of transitioning Keiko to life in the wild, highlighting the intense preparations and the bond between orca mothers and their calves. Jeff recounts the pivotal moment when Keiko encounters wild whales, leading to unexpected chaos and a desperate search. Ethical dilemmas surrounding training and the effects on animal welfare take center stage, making for an eye-opening narrative.

Keiko has a new tank in Oregon and a dream team of experts that gets him into shape. But soon they start fighting over what a realistic future looks like for this golden retriever of an orca.    Sign up for our newsletter to see photos and videos of Keiko, and get a behind the scenes look at the making of The Good Whale. Sign up at nytimes.com/serialnewsletterSubscribers to the New York Times can listen to all episodes of The Good Whale early, and access the full archive of other Serial Productions and New York Times podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe at nytimes.com/podcastsHave a story pitch, a tip, or feedback on The Good Whale or other shows from Serial Productions? Email us at serialshows@nytimes.com

In this engaging conversation, Dave Phillips, an environmentalist instrumental in the rescue of Keiko, shares his journey with the beloved orca. He recounts Keiko's transition from a star performer to a symbol of animal welfare, emphasizing the heartfelt connections formed during his captivity. Dave discusses the challenges encountered during Keiko's rehabilitation and the public's passionate response that ignited the Save the Whales movement. The emotional farewell Keiko received showcases the incredible bond between humans and wildlife, inspiring hope for ocean conservation.

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. Sign up for our newsletter to see photos and videos of Keiko, and get a behind the scenes look at the making of The Good Whale. Sign up at nytimes.com/serialnewsletterSubscribers to the New York Times can listen to all episodes of The Good Whale early, and access the full archive of other Serial Productions and New York Times podcasts on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe at nytimes.com/podcastsHave a story pitch, a tip, or feedback on The Good Whale or other shows from Serial Productions? Email us at serialshows@nytimes.com