Best-bets for Feb. 23: It’s time to call Saul

1) “Better Call Saul” season-opener, 10:05 p.m, AMC. As its fifth season begins, this show wallows in weirdness. Before the opening titles, it has a 13-minute, black-and-white stretch with the former “Saul” hiding out as a mall Cinnabon worker. Then it bounces back to Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk, shown here in a previous episode); he’s molding his identity as Saul, the fast-talking, low-budget lawyer for the guilty, while his wiser girlfriend tries to rein him in. There’s more here, involving Gustavo and drug deals. Much of it disconnected, most is fascinating. Read more…

1) “Better Call Saul” season-opener, 10:05 p.m, AMC. As its fifth season begins, this show wallows in weirdness. Before the opening titles, it has a 13-minute, black-and-white stretch with the former “Saul” hiding out as a mall Cinnabon worker. Then it bounces back to Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk, shown here in a previous episode); he’s molding his identity as Saul, the fast-talking, low-budget lawyer for the guilty, while his wiser girlfriend tries to rein him in. There’s more here, involving Gustavo and drug deals. Much of it disconnected, most is fascinating.

2) “Masterpiece: Sanditon” finale, 9 p.m. PBS. Jane Austen created these intriguing characters, then died before starting their story. Now Andrew Davies’ script has sent them in wild directions. Charlotte resented Sidney (rich, handsome and arrogant), then wavered. The wealthy Lady Denham became ill, stirring greed among lustful step-siblings. Things peak spectacularly, during the Midsummer Ball.

3) “Kidding,” 10 and 10:30 p.m., Showtime. This starts with one of the most extraordinary half-hours you’ll see. Jeff Pickles (Jim Carrey) now realizes he can’t avoid divorcing his wife. In another divorce, his sister – who is on the kids’-TV shows he does – has lost the rights to many of his characters. Tonight’s first half-hour – often touching, occasionally funny – is a show-within-a-show, in which Jeff explains it all for kids. Then the second episode views the harsh aftershocks.

4) “The Walking Dead” return, 9 p.m., AMC. Here’s a situation our people should try to avoid: They are trapped in a cave, with swarms of zombies blocking their escape. Even some daring rock-hopping won’t be enough, if they can’t find an alternate exit. It’s a tense start to the second half of the season.

5) And more: There are zombie-free alternatives, many of them musical: ABC has “American Idol” auditions, from 8-10 p.m.; NBC reruns its America’s Got Talent: The Champions” finals at 7 p.m., with the fun “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” at 9. Also: “When Calls the Heart” (8 p.m., Hallmark) opens its season with Elizabeth getting writing inspiration. “Collector’s Call” (9:30 p.m. ET, MeTV) visits Scott Hamilton’s collection. “The Windsors” (10 p.m. ET, CNN) sees the rocky reign of Queen Elizabeth’s dad.

– Mike Hughes, TV America

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