Mikes Film Talk

*Caution: There are possible triggering images in the article.*

At the end of the day, or the season finale of Chimp Crazy, we see that Tonia is not so delusional. This last look at an “American” tragedy leaves a lot of things unanswered. First, let us look at what the episode does show.

Travis

The tale of Travis is not over for Sandy. We will not mention the on-going “sideshow” of Charla Nash’s life. Apart from this observation. *Note that the film Nope has Gordy’s victim Mary Jo in the exact same clothing. Right up to the veiled hat:

That took some moxie. Jordan Peele does more than allude to this tragic event, he rubs our very faces in it.*

Sandy, however, bought another chimp. A partnership buy. Her partner? Pamela Rossaire.

Tonka

Authorities place Tonka in a sanctuary. He is, according to The Los Angeles Times, getting lots of monkey whoopie. As he should be. Tonka does not deserve to be living in a cramped space. A Place where Tonia was hiding the pet from the prying eyes of Peta and the courts.

Tonka is reunited, after a fashion with Alan Cumming. Alan is pleased that his old acting buddy, is not dead after all. Mr. Cumming is, according to all accounts, a nice chap. I once read for a role that Alan was up for, Eyes Wide Shut. He won easily, better bona fides for a start and he had worked with Nicole on the West End.

I still don’t mind losing that one.

A Run Down

Tonia learns that the “director” turned her in. The real director; Tiger King’s Eric Goode meets with Tonia to pour oil over troubled water. The woman is still delusional. She also has no real idea of why what she has been doing is wrong.

The bottom line here is that her chimps, and other animals, made her a nice living as merchandise. Selling the babies and making some impressive long green.

It is all showbiz after all

The entire season is best summed up as show business. Alan Cumming catching up with Tonka. It is all filmed and the actor looks uncomfortable. Most telling is the “set” that was meticulously torn down after the Tonia and Eric interview 39 minutes into the show.

There is no talk of punitive measures against Haddix. There is a brief mention of Peta fines that the lawyer for the organisation talks of forgoing.

No talk of fines or jail time here. Tonia lies, not just when not in court, but in front of the judge. At the very least she should have been found in contempt. Nothing at all about wasting police time and resources.

The end of it all

At the end of it all Chimp Crazy shows a brief montage of the chimpanzees who have gone. These “apes” are either executed by extreme prejudice or die from natural causes. The “Adoption” of wild animals has not yet been outlawed. There is no talk of this becoming illegal. Now, or later.

If we need any reminding why this practice is a bad thing, read this Daily Mail article about Nash.

Chimp Crazy is not a really meaningful look at these folks who raise monkeys. It is an oddity. A freakshow of sorts. A chance for us to point as we simultaneously gag and snicker behind our hands. In the meantime we are given a four episode long Peta commercial.

What a waste.

Fantasy Island indeed.