A few years ago, upon reading the book version of "The Most Dangerous Animal of All", I came away fairly convinced of the point that author Gary Stewart was trying to make, mainly that his birth father (Earl Van Best, Jr.) was the notorious, never-apprehended Zodiac Killer of San Francisco. Through the first three episodes of this docudrama version, I had a similar feeling. In a major letdown, however, the final episode really picks apart Stewart's arguments and shows how infighting or leaps in logic plague his overall case.
As I said, the first three episodes here really focus on Stewart's story, from simply trying to identify his birth father (after being abandoned as an infant) to further digging showing a potential link to the Zodiac murders. That fourth episode, though, deals primarily with the post-book fallout and casts a large pall over all that came before it. While I'm certainly glad that Stewart's claims are being questioned, don't get me wrong on that point, it is just supremely disappointing to see all the ways in which the air can be let out of the balloon.
In sort of a double-whammy, even the emotional side of Stewart's lineage journey comes off a bit flat. Through words on a page, it is easy to root for him in a very sympathetic way considering how emotionally mistreated he was by both birth parents. But "in the flesh", if you will, Stewart appears as much argumentative or obstinate as any sort of figure worthy of emotional investment. Again, this is especially true in episode four, where he has few answers or rebuttals to the claims against Earl Van Best, Jr. Being Zodiac.
All of the above being said, "The Most Dangerous Animal of All" is still a compelling story. Even with the dousing of cold water, Stewart brings up some points and connects enough dots that he shouldn't be dismissed outright. But overall, if you read the book and were really taken in (as I was) by the Stewart/Van Best, Jr. Story, this docu-series version will again reel you right in--only to throw you quite a narrative curveball in the end.
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