Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV Series) Zoonotic (2003) User Reviews

A Voyeur And A Exhibitionist - What A Team!

[ccthemovieman-1 · 9/10 · 4 January 2007]

A cop is killed in a turnstile at a subway, stabbed to death. Upon investigation, Goren and Eames find out that the cop had a couple of side jobs, illegal ones at that. One of them involved blackmailing people who were clients of an escort service. He wasn't blackmailing most of them for large amounts so they look for any thing might be "bigger fish," and come up with two suspicious doctors, one a vet at a zoo. One who likes to watch (the meek Park Ave. doctor) and one who likes to be seen (the vain, macho vet). There aren't too many normal people on these shows, and these two guys are real sickos.

Goren does his usual thing when two people are involved in a crime: he sets them against each other.

A very interesting show and one which leads into season finale - not about these two men - but abut some missing anthrax that one of the doctors in this shown had purchased.

A creepy doctor and a sleazy zoologist

[pepper_f · 9/10 · 27 March 2022]

"Zoonotic" involves a crooked cop getting killed at a subway. Things start unfolding from there as Goren and Eames soon start to discover that the cop was blackmailing clients of an escort service which then leads them to the doctor. This episode has a pretty good plot with its compelling twists and turns. It also has possibly one of the most vile villains in "Criminal Intent". The main cast is great as usual.

Overall, "Zoonotic" was a pretty great episode due to the compelling twists in the plot and the characterization of the villains.

Wacky wickedness

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 21 May 2020]

Like the original 'Law and Order' and 'Law and Order: Special Victims Unit', 'Law and Order: Criminal Intent' was great in its prime. Not just for the clever and entertaining cases, the character of Goren and the magic of Vincent D'Onofrio and his chemistry with Kathryn Erbe, but also how there were episodes that took on difficult, heavy subjects and didn't shy away and pulled no punches instead (if not quite as much as the other two).

Am not going to go quite that far calling Season 2's penultimate episode "Zoonotic" one of the best 'Criminal Intent' outings, can think of many others that are a little better. It is still great and one of the best episodes of Season 2, which was solid in quality if somewhat inconsistent, as well as being one of the creepiest and wackiest. Thanks to two of the most twisted, in ways that are both freaky and off the wall, supporting characters of the early seasons.

Embodied wonderfully by Todd Stashwick and especially James Urbaniak as the more repulsive of the two to truly creepy effect. They make for a very menacing and entertaining pair together, certainly not subtle (not that it needed to be though and it's never in a "taking one out of the episode" way) but there were not a lot of supporting characters in Season 2 to be this twisted. One cannot dismiss the fine work of the regulars, Vincent D'Onofrio is still a joy as is his playful chemistry with the more understated but just as witty Kathryn Erbe.

"Zoonotic" complements its fine cast with a script that's taut and has both entertainment value and tension. The story is not hard to follow and it doesn't telegraph things too early. When it comes to highlight scenes, the highlight here is the climactic interrogation, which is very edge of the seat and sees the twisted relationship between the two men reach its peak when chilling truths are revealed. Can't fault the production values or music either.

My only complaint is the very end, a little too sombre and a tone that doesn't entirely fit with the tone of everything that came before.

Otherwise, great. 9/10

Stunning Performance by James Urbaniak

[JohnLeeT · 10/10 · 8 November 2014]

In an episode that will both shock and delight, James Urbaniak gives the performance of a lifetime. He creates a character you will never forget and dominates every scene in which he appears. It is pure magic to watch him work and with the support of the rest of the excellent cast, it is something that was an Emmy worthy guest appearance. Never has a villain been more creepy, insidious, and frightening in the Criminal Intent series. The smile he creates for this character will make your skin crawl. The final scenes are riveting and should be part of any history of episodic television. Even Eames and Goren seem absolutely repulsed by this man. The victims of his perversion also give fine performances as he and his partner's sad victims. Do not miss this very special episode. The work of James Urbaniak will haunt you for all time.