"Save the Whale" is the seventeenth episode of the animated series The Little Mermaid TV series, originally aired on October 2, 1993.
Plot[]
Ariel, Flounder and Sebastian are all enjoying a leisurely time on the ocean surface. Suddenly, an ominous fin emerges from the water, causing the group to panic, assuming that it belongs to a shark. They soon realize that it's only Spot, the adorable killer whale that was Ariel's temporary pet some time ago. Now grown into a young adult, Spot has decided to drop by during his annual migration journey. The reunion of the gang is cheerful, although Flounder is slightly startled by Spot's impressive growth.
Triton has no issues with Spot, but he prefers to keep him away from Atlantica since the majority of Atlantica's residents are afraid of killer whales, despite their generally friendly and non-aggressive nature. Ariel finds this annoying and doesn't understand why the citizens are fearful of killer whales. She decides to introduce Spot to them, believing that once they see how gentle and lovable Spot is, they will stop being nervous around killer whales. Triton agrees with the idea and they organize a circus-like performance featuring Spot for the Atlantica's residents.
Spot is having fun splashing in and out of the water when he suddenly is spotted by humans on a passing ship. The ship belongs to Pettigrew, the owner of an aquatic park called "Pettigrew's Penguin Park". Intrigued by Spot, Pettigrew sees the perfect opportunity to add a killer whale to his collection and decides to capture him, despite his son's protests. As the ship slowly approaches Spot, Sebastian desperately attempts to prevent him from leaping out of the water, but unfortunately, his efforts are in vain. The ship drops a large net around Spot, capturing both him and Sebastian and making all the mermaids underwater disperse in a panic.
Ariel refuses to simply accept the situation, determined to take action even if humans are involved. She sets out on a mission to rescue both Spot and Sebastian, with the help of Flounder. Together, they track down the boat to Pettigrew's Penguin Park and swim through the closing doors. Inside, a distressing sight awaits them: Pettigrew is cruelly forcing the penguins to perform against their free will. To their dismay, they discover that Sebastian has also fallen victim to Pettigrew's "training" as a performing crustacean.
Later that night, Ariel sets her plan in motion. She is able to free Spot from his cage, but he is hesitant to leave without the penguins. Spot has formed a bond with them and considers them his friends. With the assistance of Pettigrew's good-hearted son, Tom, they manage to release the penguins from their cage too.
Two large doors are the only way to escape from the aquatic park, so Pettigrew is taken aback when Ariel, Flounder, Sebastian, the penguins and Spot all successfully manage to leap over them simultaneously. Tom is delighted when he sees Spot leaping over the tall doors.
Cast[]
- Edan Gross as Flounder
- Frank Welker as Spot
- Jodi Benson as Ariel
- Kenneth Mars as King Triton
- Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian
- Clive Revill as Pettigrew
- Unknown as Penguins
- Jeff Bennett as Tom
Non-speaking cast[]
Trivia[]
- "Save the Whale" takes place one year after the events of "Whale of a Tale" and sometime before the events of the first film.
- This is the second and final appearance of Spot the Killer Whale, having first appeared in the pilot, "Whale of a Tale".
