The Collider Weekly TV Guide is a rundown of notable episodes, premieres, returns, finales, and opportunities to catch up on great shows (or cast an eye to the occasional TV train wreck). Here are the picks for the week beginning Monday, March 30th:
Monday, 3/30:
Better Call Saul, "Pimento" (AMC, 10 p.m.) -- The penultimate episode of Season One will answer (maybe) whether or not Chuck (Michael McKean) is cured, and also what the status is of the class action lawsuit he and Jimmy (Bob Odenkirk) levied against Sandpiper Crossing. Further, Mike's (Jonathan Banks) ability to finish a job is called into question … but don't they know he doesn't do half measures?
Tuesday, 3/31:
Cougar Town Series Finale, "Mary Jane's Last Dance" (TBS, 10:30 p.m.) -- The sixth season finale (and the third on the show's second home of TBS) will also be the series' last for the cul-de-sac gang. It will conclude, fittingly, with a birthday party for Jules (Courteney Cox). Bobby Cobb (Brian Van Holt) will also return just as someone else decides to leave for good. Keep the wine handy.
The Dovekeepers, Series Premiere (CBS, 9 p.m.) -- The Bible's Roma Downey and Mark Burnett, who excel in boiling down fantastic historical events into stilted dialogue and melodrama, are at it again in this two-night miniseries event that focuses on the lives of four Jewish women during the Roman siege of Masada in 73. Though NCIS fans may be happy to see Cote de Pablo again, this one is probably not a keeper.
Weird Loners Series Premiere, "Weird Pilot" (Fox at 9:30 p.m.) -- Fox seems to be taking more risks with its comedies lately, like the quirky and strange Last Man on Earth (although it has been devolving into a more pedestrian kind of sitcom). In this series, Becki Newton, Zachary Knighton, Nate Torrence and Meera Rohit Kumbhani star in a darker take on the Friends formula as four 30-sometimes who live together in Queens. Review forthcoming
Younger Series Premiere, "Pilot; Liza Sows Her Oates" (TV Land, 10 p.m.) -- This new single-camera comedy from Sex and City's Darren Star (with Patricia Field on board as a costume consultant) sets TV Land on a younger course. The series focuses on a 40-year-old single mom (Sutton Foster) who pretends to be 26 in order to restart her life. The series also stars Debi Mazar, Miriam Shor, and Hilary Duff.
Wednesday, 4/1:
Free space -- no premieres today, but what about all of your other regular shows? Catch up on everything else (Justified, The Americans, The Flash, Arrow, Bates Motel, etc) because shit is about to get real …
Thursday, 4/2:
Olympus Series Premiere, "The Temple of Gaia" (Syfy, 10 p.m.) -- Oracles, cyclops, and gods, oh my! This mythological drama, set in Ancient Greece, stars Tom York (not to be confused with Thom Yorke, but how amazing would that be?) as "Hero," and his journey to become a leader of men in a war against the gods. Review forthcoming.
The Red Road Season 2 Premiere, "Gifts" (Sundance, 10 p.m.) -- Though not as well known (and not quite as good) as some of Sundance's other compelling drama series, The Red Road paints a complicated and emotional portrait of life in Walpole, New Jersey, and the connections between the locals and members of the Ramapough Lenape Nation. The series stars Martin Henderson, Jason Momoa, and Julianne Nicholson.
Friday, 4/3:
Derek Finale Special (Netflix, 12:01 a.m. PT) -- The Ricky Gervais series wraps up after two seasons -- as do all of his shows -- with 1-hour finale special.
Saturday, 4/4:
Outlander, Season 1 Part 2 Premiere, "The Reckoning" (Starz, 9 p.m.) -- The gorgeously filmed (and gorgeously cast) time-traveling historical series returns with Jamie (Sam Heughan) and the Highlanders rescuing Claire (Caitriona Balfe) from Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies). Check back here for weekly recaps following each new episode.
Sunday, 4/5:
Mad Men Final Season Premiere, "Severance" (AMC, 10 p.m.) -- And thus shall begin the end of an era, as Mad Man finishes up its languid, engrossing, television-changing series with a 7 episode run. In the premiere, Don (Jon Hamm) looks for an old friend, while Peggy (Elisabeth Moss) gets set up by a surprising person. Check back here for weekly recaps following each new episode.
A.D. The Bible Continues Series Premiere (NBC, 9 p.m.) -- In the second Roma Downey and Mark Burnett-produced historical series to hit the tube this week, the duo wants to know if people are aware there is more that happens in the Bible after the crucifixion of Jesus. Fans of religious programming should really demand a better and more challenging treatment, as the original Bible miniseries was a clumsy production, and ultimately a missed opportunity to serve up some truly historical television.
The Lizzie Borden Chronicles Series Premiere, "Acts of Borden" (Lifetime, 10 p.m.) -- Lifetime has managed to find enough material (maybe) to make a series out of its Lizzie Borden movie from last year, which was a silly but stylish reboot of the historical horror tale. Christina Ricci stars as the infamous maybe-murderess. Review forthcoming.
American Odyssey Series Premiere, "Gone Elvis" (NBC, 10 p.m.) -- A thriller series (which recently added "American" to its name) starring Anna Friel as a stranded soldier dragged into an international military conspiracy. Review forthcoming.
Salem Season 2 Premiere, "Cry Havoc" (WGNA, 10 p.m.) -- The second season of this batshit crazy show about witches adds Lucy Lawless and Stuart Townsend to its cast, joining Janet Montgomery, Shane West, and Seth Gabel in an exploration of the supernatural origins of the Salem witch trials of the 17th century.
Wolf Hall Series Premiere, "Three Card Trick" (PBS, 10 p.m.) -- The American premiere of the highly praised, 6-episode BBC Two series follows the early days of the Tudor court, and all of its political posturing and bloody machinations. The series stars Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell, Damian Lewis as King Henry VIII, and Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn. Review forthcoming.
