1) “Yellowstone” season-opener, 8-10:27 p.m., Paramount Network, rerunning at 10:27. Ominous music looms through this two-parter, even during John Dutton’s inauguration as governor. Big things – tragedies (large and small) and triumphs — are ahead. It’s hard to empathize with a governor whose only concern is his own property. But when he’s perfectly played by Kevin Costner (shown here), with surgical-sharp dialog and epic visuals, we can’t help it.
2) “Tulsa King” opener, Paramount+. On the day his “Yellowstone” returns, writer-producer Taylor Sheridan launches “Tulsa King” on this streamer. Sylvester Stallone plays a mobster, fresh from prison, who is told to open new turf in Oklahoma. A sampling shows it could be a gem; its first two episodes are scheduled to air on the Paramount Network next Sunday, after “Yellowstone.”
3) “The Equalizer,” 8 p.m., CBS. Afterr missing two straight Sundays, this show – a ratings-leader, like “Yellowstone” — is back. A smuggler is being detained and must be moved quickly to a safe site; that job goes to Robyn, working with a top CIA agent (Donal Logue).
4) “The Walking Dead” and “Interview With the Vampire,” 9 and 10:05 p.m., AMC. One well-crafted series is almost ready to end its 11-year run … while another wraps its first season. “Walking Dead” finds a zombie swarm moving toward the city; the series ends next week, but leaves some spin-offs. And “Interview” wraps its season; ready to leave New Orleans, the vampires throw a Mardi Gras ball.
5) “Spector,” 9 p.m., Showtime. Last week’s opener briefly Phil Spector arrested after Lana Clarkson was killed in his mansion; then it flashed back to his early triumphs, producing “wall of sound” pop hits. This intriguing hour shows his next phase, producing “Imagine” and “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling.” It also views Clarkson’s career – small roles in mainstream shows, stardom in low-budget films, including “Barbarian Queen.”