Best-bets for May 19: Epic farewells for “Thrones,” “Idol”

1) “Game of Thrones” finale, 9-10:20 p.m., HBO, rerunning at 11:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. This has been epic television, complete with angry dragons, naked people and toppling empires. It’s managed to mix spectacle, character drama and political intrigue. Now it concludes after 73 episodes over eight seasons. Read more…

1) “Game of Thrones” finale, 9-10:20 p.m., HBO, rerunning at 11:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. This has been epic television, complete with angry dragons, naked people and toppling empires. It’s managed to mix spectacle, character drama and political intrigue. Now it concludes after 73 episodes over eight seasons.

2) “American Idol” finale, 8 p.m., ABC. Sprawling over three hours, this will be stuffed with songs. It has music by two of its top alumni – Carrie Underwood and Adam Lambert (who does one of his own songs and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”) — plus last year’s winner, Maddie Poppe. And by all three judges (Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie) and the finalists (Alejandro Aranda, Laine Hardy, Madison VanDeburg) and Kane Brown, Weezer, Montel Jordan, Dan + Shay, Jon Pardi and many more.

3) “The Red Line” finale, 8-10 p.m., CBS. We’ve grumbled enough about the plot contrivances, some of them (involving he videotape) quite absurd. But those are mostly past us now; what remains are deeply drawn characters, perfectly played and beautifully filmed. Some 40 years ago, Kevin Hooks and Thomas Carter played young teammates on “The White Shadow.” Now they’re Emmy-winning producer-directors; Hooks directed tonight’s first hour, with Carter doing the second, both beautifully.

4) “Masterpiece: Les Miserables” finale, 9-10:30 p.m., PBS. How tough has this show been? Tonight’s long (VERY LONG) trek through the Paris sewers really doesn’t seem any more grim than the other scenes. Jean Valjean heads to the barricades, determined to kill and/or save the man his goddaughter loves. Some redeeming moments are coming, but it’s a slow slog to get there.

5) Much more. There are plenty of season-finales – CW’s “Supergirl” and “Charmed” (8 and 9 p.m.) … CBS’ “NCIS: Los Angeles” (10) … HBO’s “Barry” (10:20). Some shows, however, will continue: “Killing Eve” (8 p.m. on AMC, 8 p.m. ET on BBC America) and “Good Girls” (10 p.m. on NBC) conclude next week; “The Spanish Princess” (8 p.m., Starz) is just getting started. Last week, the prince consummated his marriage … and soon died of a fever. Now his widow hatches a desperate plan.

 

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