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…
1) Earth Day, streaming networks. This is the day for streamers to debut nature films. There’s “Sea Lions of the Galapagos” on Disney+ and “Kiss the Ground” on Amazon Prime, each with a companion film. Also, Netflix has “Pangolin,” Apple TV+ has the new “Jane” season and Peacock and Hulu have the “Americas” series (shown here), a gem that just finished its NBC run. Read more…
1) “America’s Most Wanted” season-opener, 9:02 p.m., Fox. Back in 1988, Fox was a mini-network, airing only two nights a week. It debuted “AMW,” with John Walsh (whose son was kidnapped and killed) profiling suspects. The show was canceled after 23 years, then revived often. Now it’s back, hosted by Walsh (shown here), 79, and his son Callahan. Read more…
1) “Secrets of the Penguins” (shown here), 8-11 p.m., National Geographic. Here’s wildlife filmmaking at its finest – brimming with information and emotion. We see adult penguins from 4-foot-tall to 18 inches, from the Namib desert to the Antarctic ice. We see patience, anger and clever strategies, from herding anchovies to stealing fish out of the bill of a pelican. Read more…
1) “Elsbeth,” 8 p.m., CBS. The world isn’t quite ready for Elsbeth (Carrie Preston) on a jury (shown here). A lawyer herself, she’s smarter than the prosecutor, way smarter than the rumpled defense attorney … and way more honest that the judge. He’s played by Michael Emerson (Preston’s husband), in a terrific rerun that sets up next Thursday’s so-so episode. Read more…
1) “NCIS: Sydney” and “Fire Country,” 8 and 9 p.m., CBS. Both shows are a week from their season-finales. (Yes, they’ll be back.) The Sydney team (shown here) faces searing heat, while probing a Marine’s death during a joint training exercise. Then a routine house fire escalates, putting a firefighter in danger. Read more…
