1) “The Equalizer” season-opener, 8 p.m., CBS. After scoring big in the ratings last year, “Equalizer” has a high-octane return. A bank robbery turns lethal; then the cop who almost arrested Robyn needs her help. That comes at a tough time for Robyn (Queen Latifah): Her former CIA boss is angry; so is her daughter, who knows she’s been lying about her work. Also, her tech guy faked his death five years ago. She considers quitting … then plunges ahead in a strong hour, with a little girl (shown here) to rescue and bad guys to catch.
2) “The Simpsons,” 8 p.m., Fox. For 31 years, creepy tales have emerged from the annual “Treehouse of Horror.” Now Homer tries to wreak revenge on the tree …which gathers its tree friends for a counter-attack. That’s surrounded by two other fairly funny tales, plus a Poe-style poem that’s clever and a “Bambi” prologue that isn’t. That prologue is the goriest part of a show that’s way too messy; if kids must watch, have them skip the first few minutes.
3) “Legends of the Hidden Temple” debut, 8 p.m., CW. Back in 1993-5, this was a Nickelodeon show with kids competing in Indiana Jones-type challenges. With youthful enthusiasm, this might have worked; now adults – some of them quite obnoxious – compete. It’s a so-so start, followed at 9 by the season-opener of “Killer Camp,” a reality game that neatly borrows from horror-film cliches.
4) “Diana” opener, 9 p.m. and midnight ET, CNN. At times, this documentary says, Charles and Diana had similar childhoods – somber boarding schools, missing or absent moms. Still, they became opposites. As a nanny, her first employer says, Diana was “very tactile,” warm and loving. And Charles? “There was never anything tactile about him,” Diana once said. This is a richly detailed start; it’s followed (at 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.) by Lisa Ling viewing anti-Asian violence, past and present.
5) Much more. CBS also has season-openers of “NCIS: Los Angeles” and “SEAL Team,” at 9 and 10; the latter starts with peaceful at-home time, then launches a perilous mission that concludes next week. One documentary (“Nuclear Family,” 10 p.m., HBO) ends and another (“Buried,” 9 p.m., Showtime) begins. The latter is followed by an intense and well-crafted “American Rust” at 10. At 9, AMC’s “Walking Dead” has its “fall finale” and PBS’ “Grantchester” has a smart and twisty mystery.