Best bets for Aug. 11: Deep emotions in fiction and fact

1) “Greenleaf” series finale, 9 p.m., Oprah Winfrey Network. This passionate series ends with a cascade of emotion. That was triggered at the end of last week’s episode, which reruns at 8; then come the aftershocks, deep and far-reaching. Often, Lynn Whitfield (shown here, earlier in the series) has been bound by the stoic facade of her character (Mae, the matriarch); now she lets loose spectacularly. Problems are confronted, lives are transformed and Charity (Debrorah Joy Winans) sings twice; it’s a great way to end. Read more…

1) “Greenleaf” series finale, 9 p.m., Oprah Winfrey Network. This passionate series ends with a cascade of emotion. That was triggered at the end of last week’s episode, which reruns at 8; then come the aftershocks, deep and far-reaching. Often, Lynn Whitfield (shown here, earlier in the series) has been bound by the stoic facade of her character (Mae, the matriarch); now she lets loose spectacularly. Problems are confronted, lives are transformed and Charity (Debrorah Joy Winans) sings twice; it’s a great way to end.

2) “Frontline,” 10 p.m., PBS. This spring, Zully’s world collapsed. She had COVID; so did her husband and their son, 7. Then their baby was born, a month early. Zully spent weeks on a ventilator, while her son’s teacher took care of the baby; more complications followed. This is a tough story that adds richly human touches to the pandemic. It’s followed by a second film, in which a homeless mother tries to get her husband out of an immigration detention center that’s wracked by COVID.

3) “America’s Got Talent,” 8-10:01 p.m., NBC. Now we’ll learn how this ratings-leader has adjusted to social-distancing. The next four Tuesdays will each have 11 acts perform live and viewers will vote; at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, we’ll see who reaches the semi-finals. This opener has music (three singers, a singing duo and a ukulele player), three dance acts. a comedian, a daredevil duo and, of course, pigs.

4) “World of Dance,” 10:01 p.m., NBC. We already have half of the final-four championship; now six acts compete for the other two spots in the finale, which will be 9:01 p.m. Wednesday. There’s a 13-year-old, with moves so extreme that a judge calls her “my little alien.” And two big groups, one with a wildly funny bit that even includes table tricks. And two duos, one helped by its clever costumes. And a trio that brings a judge to tears. Despite some cliches from the judges, it’s a strong night.

5) “Stargirl” season-finale, 8 p.m., CW. Emerging from underground, a giant transmitter freezes minds. All is lost … except it only works on adults. Courtney and her teen-superhero friends fight back. Yes, that sounds silly. But “Stargirl,” which was renewed for next season, is smartly written and cast, It ends well, leading into a new “Tell Me a Story” episode at 9.

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