The true crime genre has a Zodiac problem. Every time a cryptic note surfaces or a cipher goes unsolved, the Zodiac Killer’s shadow looms large. So, I’m weary, yet morbidly curious, about Investigation Discovery’s Before They Kill Again tackling a Zodiac copycat in its upcoming episode, “The Twelve Signs He Will Die.”
The premise is simple enough: a wannabe Zodiac is plaguing New York City, leaving a trail of taunting messages and escalating violence. Veteran NYPD detectives, presumably weary of precinct coffee and departmental politics, are thrust into a high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse. The episode title, with its melodramatic flair, suggests we’re in for a tense ride.
The hook, of course, is the Zodiac angle. It’s a reliable draw, tapping into our collective fascination with unsolved mysteries and the chilling allure of the unknown. But Before They Kill Again needs to tread carefully. Simply replicating the Zodiac’s MO won’t cut it. The show needs to offer a fresh perspective, perhaps focusing on the psychological toll on the investigators, the ripple effect through the community, or the subtle clues that could crack the case.
Let’s hope “The Twelve Signs He Will Die” is more than just a rehash of well-worn tropes. The true crime landscape is already saturated with Zodiac imitators, both fictional and real. Before They Kill Again has the opportunity to offer something more. But given the genre’s tendency toward sensationalism, I’m not holding my breath.
Before They Kill Again airs Sundays at 9 PM on Investigation Discovery.
