Ep 11. Whale Whores

In South Park season 13 episode 11, titled "Whale Whores," the boys of South Park become enraged when they learn about Japanese whaling practices. Determined to take action, they join the crew of a militant, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society vessel in the hopes of stopping the slaughter of whales.

The episode begins with the boys at school, bored in class and watching a presentation about whales. After being inspired by the whales’ beauty, the boys are heartbroken when they learn about the Japanese whaling practices. They decide to take action, with Stan taking the lead and getting in touch with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The society’s captain, Paul Watson, assures Stan that they are the “only way” to stop the Japanese from slaughtering the whales.

The boys decide to join the Sea Shepherd crew, and they set sail on the “Steve Irwin," the society’s flagship vessel. Once on board, they are introduced to the crew, which includes Captain Watson, first mate Peter, and a Frenchman named Jean-Pierre. The boys are thrilled to be a part of something they believe in, even if they aren’t quite sure what their roles are on the ship.

After setting sail, the boys soon find out that life on board the “Steve Irwin” is not quite what they expected. Captain Watson demands complete focus and dedication from the crew, and he is not above using intimidation tactics to get what he wants. Meanwhile, Jean-Pierre is constantly complaining about the lack of good wine and cheese, much to the ire of the rest of the crew.

The situation on board becomes more tense when the crew spots a Japanese whaling vessel in the distance. Captain Watson orders the crew to prepare for battle, and they launch a small dinghy to approach the Japanese ship. Once there, they throw stink bombs and butyric acid onto the Japanese vessel, in the hopes of disabling their harpoon guns. The mission is a success, and the Japanese boat is forced to retreat.

However, the victory is short-lived when the boys discover that the Japanese vessel was actually a research boat that was not involved in whaling. They feel guilty for their actions, and Stan begins to doubt the Sea Shepherd’s methods. Meanwhile, the Japanese government is outraged by the attack on their research vessel, and they retaliate by sending a fleet of warships to take down the “Steve Irwin.”

The Sea Shepherd and Japanese vessels engage in a dramatic battle, with the “Steve Irwin” taking heavy damage. Meanwhile, the boys are thrown into the middle of the conflict and are forced to take on more active roles. In the end, the boys come up with a cunning plan to stop the Japanese fleet, but not before the “Steve Irwin” takes a devastating blow and is left sinking.

Despite the loss of the ship, the boys return to South Park as heroes, hailed for their bravery in the fight against whaling. Though they may have lost the battle, they have sparked a conversation about the importance of whale conservation.

"Whale Whores" presents a thought-provoking commentary on the ethics of whaling, while also delivering the raunchy, irreverent humor that South Park is known for. The episode showcases the characters’ unwavering determination to stand up for what they believe in, even when their actions have unintended consequences. Overall, "Whale Whores" is a standout episode that offers a perfect blend of social commentary and comedic absurdity.