Best-bets for Jan. 17: Meet Eliza and Batwoman

1) “Miss Scarlet and the Duke” debut, 8 p.m., PBS. Eliza Scarlet has always wanted to solve crimes, like her dad did. She learned his skills, but now faces a roadblock: This is Victorian London, when women aren’t taken seriously … and Eliza (Kate Phillips, shown here) is the very image of a society beauty. To succeed, she needs the reluctant support of Detective Inspector William Wellington, kmown as The Duke. The result spins some good mysteries, brightened by bits of humor and human quirks. Read more…

1) “Miss Scarlet and the Duke” debut, 8 p.m., PBS. Eliza Scarlet has always wanted to solve crimes, like her dad did. She learned his skills, but now faces a roadblock: This is Victorian London, when women aren’t taken seriously … and Eliza (Kate Phillips, shown here) is the very image of a society beauty. To succeed, she needs the reluctant support of Detective Inspector William Wellington, known as The Duke. The result spins some good mysteries, brightened by bits of humor and human quirks.

2) “Batwoman” season-opener, 8 p.m., CW. When Ruby Rose left after one season, producers had a dilemma: She was a terrific Kate Kane (Batwoman), strong and sturdy. Do they simply slip someone else into thw role? Instead, the batsuit is discovered by Ryan (Javicia Leslie of “God Friended Me”), a homeless ex-con (she says she was framed), unable to get a job as a martial-arts instructor. Passionate and energetic, she’s Kate’s opposite in many ways; she’s also instantly likable.

3) “All Creatures Great and Small,” 9 p.m., PBS. Here’s another pleasant hour, blending neatly with “Miss Scarlet.” In the opener, James started to work for Siegfried, who ran his veterinary practice with autocratic precision. Now he meets Siegfried’s younger brother – a different type, played by Callum Woodhouse of “The Durells”; also, he gets to know Helen at a nearby farm.

4) “Your Honor,” 10 p.m., Showtime. Now for the exact opposite of those PBS shows. The judge (Bryan Cranston) is having the worst birthday ever. A mobster will kill him unless he finds a way to free the guy’s lethal son. First, he must dispose of a body. New complications keep arriving, in an hour that’s both beautifully crafted and deeply disturbing.

5) Football, 3:05 p.m, CBS; and 6:40 p.m., Fox. Last year’s Super Bowl champions, the Chiefs, host the Browns; then the Bills host the Ravens. The winners of both games will face Saturday’s winners next week, for the conference championships and the spots in the Super Bowl.

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