Free Willy (TV series) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Free Willy
Genre	Animation
Created by	Patrick Loubert
Developed by	Patsy Cameron Ted Anasti
Directed by	Gary Hurst
Voices of	Zachary Bennett Paul Haddad Gary Krawford
Country of origin	United States Canada
Original language(s)	English
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	21 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Patrick Loubert Michael Hirsh Clive A. Smith Lauren Shuler Donner Richard Donner Arnon Milchan
Running time	21 minutes
Production company(s)	Nelvana Regency Enterprises Le Studio Canal+ Donner/Shuler-Donner Productions Warner Bros. Television
Distributor	Warner Bros. Television Distribution
Release
Original network	ABC Global Television Network
Original release	September 24, 1994 – February 25, 1995 (1995-02-25)

Free Willy is an exciting animated TV show from America and Canada. It was inspired by the popular 1993 movie of the same name. This show was made by Warner Bros. Television, Regency Enterprises, and the Canadian company Nelvana.

The series continues the amazing adventures of Willy, the killer whale, and Jesse, the boy who helped him escape. The show even hinted at some things that would happen in the movie sequel, Free Willy 2: The Adventure Home. The main bad guy is a powerful oil boss known as "The Machine." He's a cyborg (part human, part machine) because Willy caused him to lose an arm and part of his face. He wants revenge on Willy and Jesse! The show was shown on ABC.

The Story of Willy and Jesse

Jesse, who is 14 years old, has been adopted by his foster parents, the Greenwoods. They moved to the Pacific coast, where Jesse got a job at the Misty Island Oceanic Reserve. This place is a wildlife rescue and research center. Randolph, Jesse's friend from the movie, also works there.

In the first episode, Jesse finds out he can talk to animals and understand them! Randolph, who is from the Haida people, explains that Jesse is a "Truth Talker." This special ability means Willy and the other sea animals can have their own personalities and play bigger roles in the story. Jesse and Randolph work with Mr. Naugle, the head biologist, and Marlene, a research assistant. They are studying Einstein, a dolphin, and Lucille, a seal, teaching them to communicate with humans.

Meet The Machine

The main villain of the show is a cyborg called "The Machine." He blames Willy for his injuries. A flashback shows that his submarine was destroyed when it hit Willy, throwing him into a ship's propeller. When he's not causing trouble with his submarine, he wears a mask and a glove to hide his identity. He also runs an oil company under his old name, Rockland Stone.

Early in the series, The Machine creates four green, slimy helpers called Amphonids from toxic waste. These creatures are often funny and don't always want to pollute the environment. They often make big mistakes for The Machine!

Throughout the show, Jesse is always fighting The Machine's evil plans. The Machine tries to harm Willy by releasing deadly parasites or creating giant squid to hunt orcas. He also tries to ruin the ecosystem by dumping garbage, toxic waste, and oil into the sea. Jesse also tries to convince Mr. Stone (The Machine's hidden identity) to use environmentally friendly ways of doing business.

Unmasking the Villain

Towards the end of the first season, Jesse starts to suspect that Rockland Stone is actually The Machine. He faces him when The Machine tries to destroy the salmon streams in Misty Island's rivers. In the last episode of the first season, Jesse and Willy find a half-sunk ship that is connected to The Machine's past and the Stone company.

Jesse is determined to find out if Rockland Stone is the villain. He bravely unmasks The Machine in front of the public, who think Stone is running for senator! Jesse escapes and tries to find proof. The next day, Jesse and Willy gather video evidence of the ship, which is full of dangerous materials. The Machine tries to blow up the ship. But Jesse's video is shown to the public, and "Stone" loses the election. Jesse and Willy celebrate their victory!

New Adventures in the Arctic

The second season takes Jesse and Willy to the Arctic with an eco-activist named Ben Shore. They find a beautiful, untouched island with special healing powers. They meet Arktos, a bear who says Jesse is the island's "protector," and other talking animals. Unfortunately, The Machine follows them and tries to build factories on the island, which would destroy its natural beauty. Ben bravely destroys the path to the island after Jesse and Willy escape. He gets hurt and trapped, but the island's healing powers make him well again. Ben lives happily on the island and gives Jesse a carved eagle necklace to remember their work.

In another episode, Jesse, Willy, and their friends meet Marlene's old teacher, Dr. Elliot. He has created a special formula to stop oil spills. The Machine hears about it and kidnaps Dr. Elliot. He then causes a huge oil spill to harm Willy and other sea animals. He even pretends to be Dr. Elliot to trick people into giving him money. But Jesse and Willy see through his disguise, rescue Dr. Elliot, and stop the oil spill with the new formula!

Back at Misty Island, Jesse and Willy get involved in a Christmas plot. Jesse receives a jet ski, which he thinks is a gift from his parents. But it's actually from Stone! The jet ski is filled with a deadly "red tide" (a harmful bloom of tiny organisms) that starts spreading in the warm water. This could destroy Willy and the environment. But with teamwork and a sudden cold spell, The Machine is defeated, and everyone's Christmas is saved! Even the Amphonids sing along with the townspeople, much to their master's annoyance.

Who Are the Voices?

Here are the talented actors who lend their voices to the characters:

• Zachary Bennett as Jesse Greenwood, the 14-year-old boy.
• Paul Haddad as Willy, the friendly killer whale.
• Michael Fletcher as Randolph Johnson, Willy's keeper.
• Ron Len as Glen Greenwood, Jesse's foster father.
• Sheila McCarthy as Annie Greenwood, Jesse's foster mother.

New characters and their voices:

• Neil Crone as Mr. Naugle, the head marine biologist at Misty Island.
• Rachael Crawford as Marlene, a marine research assistant.
• Geordie Johnson as Ben Shore, an eco-activist and Jesse's hero.
• Andrew Sabiston as P.R. Frickey, a publicist for Stone Industries.
• Gary Krawford as Rockland Stone (The Machine), the main villain.
• James Kidnie as Amphonids, the toxic waste blob servants.
• Kevin Zegers as Einstein, a talking bottlenose dolphin.
• Alyson Court as Lucille, a talking California sea lion.

Show Seasons

Episodes

Season 1 (1994)

Season 2 (1995)