See Also: 'Zoo York' Episode Guide

For the two CSI spin-offs, next season looks to be the year of the long-running story arcs. After last week's revelation that CSI: Miami will delve into the backstory of lead character Horatio Caine, it now seems that CSI: New York's Mac Taylor will gain a nemesis who may take at least several episodes to defeat.

CSI Files sources today revealed that the third episode of the season, "Zoo York," will open in the world-famous Bronx Zoo. At first, it seems as if the episode deals with a crime that would normally be considered too small-time for CSI: New York: a group of teenagers sneaking into the zoo, being chased by a security guard. But then, the teens stop in their tracks. They feel the ground underneath their feet begin to tremble, and they wonder what the hell is going on. The trembling gets louder, until the kids see a stampede of people coming towards them from the main trail, running, screaming. From behind the crowd comes a loud animal roar, and finally the kids realise what's up. They turn around and run with the crowd, desperately trying to stay ahead of whatever has escaped from its cage...

A short while later, it turns out not everyone managed to get away in time, as CSIs Mac, Danny and Lindsay are called in to determine the identity of a man consumed almost completely by a horde of hungry tigers. When they do, they realise this may have been more than a simple accident. The victim is Bobby Vita, owner of a New York meat packing company -- but also related to the infamous Vita crime family. A short while later, Mac is confronted by mob kingpin Antonio Vita, who wants to know who killed his nephew, and offers to help the New York police to bring the killer to justice. Mac wants no part of Vita's particular brand of "justice" and warns him in no uncertain terms to stay out of the matter. But Vita doesn't listen, and tension continues to build up between the CSIs and Vita's gang, culminating in a cliffhanger for this episode that will make it clear the mafia wil be in Mac Taylor's path for some time to come...

Even as Mac locks horns with the mob, Stella Bonasera will embark on a long-running storyline of her own, as it turns out she will get a love interest in the second episode of the season, "Grand Murder At Central Station." As reported last week, this episode will involve Stella and Danny investigating the death of a blind sculptor found dead on a Manhattan rooftop. To help solve the case, Stella needs someone to complete an unfinished male head bust found among the victim's belongings -- and to do this, she calls in the help of artist Fabrizio Mala. He's Italian, sports a square jaw and endless green eyes, and, as Stella notes, is an expert at working with his hands. If there turns out to be as much chemistry between the two characters as is intended, don't be surprised to see Fabrizio return in more episodes in the future.

But even while CSI: New York will introduce a few new character-oriented storylines, the show won't forget about its procedural roots. Going back to "Zoo York," the third episode of the season will also include a second, standalone case, handled by Stella and Dr. Hawkes. When a gorgeous girl named Briana dies right before the start of her debutante ball, the CSIs bring in her mother, Julie Freemont to identify the body. She's accompanied by her other daughter, Missy, rather plump, and looking so unlike her sister that the CSIs wonder if they're even related. It turns out they're not -- Julie adopted Briana because she was told she could never have kids, but then to her surprise got pregnant only a few months later with Missy. Stella and Dr. Hawkes get the distinct impression Missy always remained somewhat of an afterthought, as her mother seems by far the most proud of Briana. On the eve of debutante ball, could it be that Missy finally got tired of playing second fiddle?

Please note that the above plot details have not been confirmed by CBS, Alliance Atlantis or Bruckheimer Films, and until such time you should treat this information as you would any other rumour. The above information comes from early script drafts and the details of the episodes are liable to change before the episodes are shown.

"Zoo York" is expected to air on the 5th of October, 2005.

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