Ep 3. Jerry Was a Man

In the third episode of the first season of Masters of Science Fiction, titled Jerry Was a Man, we follow the story of a genetically enhanced pig named Jerry. Set in a world where genetically engineering animals for commercial use is the norm, Jerry is considered an anomaly due to his exceptional intelligence and self-awareness.

When Jerry's owner and caretaker, Alice, realizes the extent of his intelligence, she begins to question the morality of using him for meat and decides to fight for his rights as a sentient being. However, her husband and co-owner of the pig genetics business, Dan, is not on board with her plan and believes that Jerry is nothing more than a product.

As Alice sets out to legally emancipate Jerry and grant him the rights of a person, she faces opposition from her own husband as well as the larger industry and government that profits from gene farming. Meanwhile, Jerry struggles with the knowledge that his existence is defined by his genetic makeup and the expectations of humans around him.

The episode explores the complex ethical issues surrounding genetic engineering and animal rights, and asks important questions about the value of sentient life and our responsibilities toward other species. Through the character of Jerry, we see the potential consequences of playing with the building blocks of life and the impact of our actions on the world around us.

With masterful storytelling and incredible performances by the cast, Jerry Was a Man is a thought-provoking and emotional episode that challenges our assumptions about what it means to be human and what we owe to other creatures with whom we share the planet.