Zoo: Season Two

Based on a 2012 potboiler by the incredibly prolific James Patterson (and his sometime collaborator Michael Ledwidge) in which the animal kingdom suddenly rises up against humankind, this CBS series—crammed with chases, hairsbreadth escapes, and rampaging CGI critters—is more than a little cartoonish despite an effort to stay completely serious. After quickly resolving the first season cliffhanger, this sophomore season pits the globetrotting team of five intrepid humans—a maverick zoologist (James Wolk), a reporter (Kristen Connolly), a safari guide (Nonso Anozie), an intelligence officer (Nora Arnezeder), and a veterinary pathologist (Billy Burke)—against the animals who are ratcheting up their coordination, as well as humans who are either strategizing to wipe out the threat completely, or (worse) mutating into equally dangerous predators. Along the way, one of the crew bites the dust, but a couple of new compensatory characters are added to the mix—a scientist (Alyssa Diaz) and a mysterious mercenary (Josh Salatin). Zoo is undeniably adventure pulp, but it also manages to be reasonably entertaining. Compiling all 13 episodes from the 2016 second season, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and a gag reel. A strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)