1) “SWAT,” 9 p.m., CBS. We’re two weeks from the end of an eight-year run. Tonight (shown here), an hour earlier than usual), there’s an explosion at a fruit-packing facility staffed by prisoners; six of them escape. Hondo and the team try to find them before they pull off a high-stakes robbery. Read more…
1) “Elsbeth,” 9 and 10 p.m., CBS. Next week, this terrific show wraps its season by bringing Elsbeth face-to-face with many of her past suspects. First, here’s a new hour (Billy Magnussen, shown here with Elsbeth, as an entitled playboy) and then a rerun, with Laurie Metcalf as star of a long-running cop show. Read more…
1) “Wild Cards” season-finale,” 8 p.m,, CW. This show often has a bright, bouncy feel, but now it’s time to get serious: Ellis learns who was responsible for his brother’s death — and who is protecting the killer. Meanwhile, Max (shown here undercover in last week’s episode) sifts clues in the office of Ashford (Martin Sheen). Read more…
1) “Independent Lens,” 10-11:30 p.m., PBS. Here is a joyous journey through the world of libraries. We see grand temples in big cities … tiny oases in small towns (an example is shown here) … and a bookmobile roaming Baton Rouge. We hear of crises – tax revolts, segregation, book-banning – and heroes who brought books to everyone from inner-city kids to rural Wisconsinites. Read more…
1) “NCIS: Origins” season-finale, 10 p.m., CBS. The bad news for Gibbs (shown here) is that he’s being investigated for murder; the worse news is that he and others know he did it. That adds up to a tense hour that we see through Cecelia (known as Lala), his steely colleague. It’s a gripping hour with a closing jolt. Read more…
1) “Dark Winds” season-finale, 9 p.m., AMC. Four potent stories wrap up in a deeply moving hour. Joe (shown here) chases the killer who haunts a terrified teen. He agonizes over the FBI agent pursuing him … and over his wife, who left when his agony became overwhelming. Also, his ex-deputy is on a one-person battle with a cartel. It’s a superb finish. Read more…
1) “I Am Burt Reynolds” (2020), 8 p.m., CW. Reynolds (shown here) chose Florida State because it matched his prime interests – girls and football. He excelled at both, until two injuries forced a detour. He transformed into an action hero with a breezy sense of humor; for five straight years, he was No. 1 at the box office. It was a fascinating life, skillfully described here. Read more…
1) “Fire Country” season-finale, 9-11 p.m., CBS. Two new episodes conclude a strong season. At 9 p.m., a fire erupts at a gas station; Manny (shown here) and Bode jump into action. At 10, fierce winds push a wildfire toward the town and toward the care home where Walter Leone (the retired fire chief, who is Vince and Luke’s father and Bode’s grandfather) lives. Read more…
1) “Elsbeth,” 9 and 10 p.m., CBS. This season has had a mental duel between Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) and a corrupt judge (Michael Emerson, Preston’s husband; they’re shown here). It’s been a delight, but now it concludes in an oddly unsatisfying way. Stick around, though: At 10 is a better episode, a rerun with Vanessa Bayer as a Christmas mogul. Read more…
1) “The Conners” series finale, 8 and 8:30 p.m., ABC. An oft-terrific series (shown here) concludes after 16 seasons, spread over 35 years. It started as “Roseanne,” dropped Roseanne Barr (and killed her character) and persisted. The finale brings key relationships, a lawsuit and some fond farewells. Read more…
