Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, December 8. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
The Originals (The CW, 8 p.m.): “I’ve done what every good son does,” Klaus says in the promo for this week’s The Originals. “Follow the example of my parents.” Uh, does Klaus remember who his parents are? There’s Mikael, an abusive father hell-bent on killing all vampires and harboring nothing but loathing for his hybrid child. There’s also Esther, who has taken her fair share of stabs at killing her own children as well. Let’s hope Klaus doesn’t follow in either of their footsteps when it comes to Baby Hope, who Hayley and Klaus are reunited with this week. It’s one big ol’ family reunion on The Originals’ midseason finale—just in time for the holidays! And in typical Originals fashion, we can probably expect plenty of soliloquies on the importance of family, loyalty, and brotherhood. But as usual, Rebekah will probably be the only Mikaelson making any sense.
Also noted
Jane The Virgin (The CW, 9 p.m.): Jane The Virgin returns after its Thanksgiving break. Most importantly to What’s On Tonight, human disaster of a doctor Luisa Alvarez returns from her forever-long absence. The Solanos might be only marginally more functional than the Mikaelsons, but at least they aren’t trying to murder each other (yet)! Meanwhile, Jane tells Rafael she’s a virgin! Hopefully the two have plans to change that in the near future. Michael who now? Also, a music producer contacts Xo to express interest in recording a demo. Please let a “Milkshake” cover be on it. Oliver Sava continues his weekly coverage.
The Fosters (ABC Family, 8 p.m.): On The Fosters’ Christmas special, a neighbor accuses Jesus of cheating in a decoration competition, and Jude has a lot of guilt about having been adopted. Check back here after for a review from Carrie Raisler.
Switched At Birth (ABC Family, 9 p.m.): Carrie Raisler also will break down the Christmas special of Switched At Birth, which promises magical garlic knots. Magical. Garlic. Knots. Specifically, magical garlic knots that create an alternate reality in which the switch never happened.
TV Club Classic
Justice League Unlimited: Oliver Sava takes on “To Another Shore,” a Wonder Woman-centric episode of JLU.
Elsewhere in TV Club
And we’ve got even more Jane The Virgin and Oliver Sava goodies for you, as he sits down with showrunner Jennie Urman for an installment of Expert Witness. She talks about the process of adapting the series from its original telenovela form.
What else is on?
Mike & Molly (CBS, 8:30 p.m.): Mike & Molly returns for its fifth (?!) season, during which Molly finishes up her eight-week writers’ workshop and returns to Chicago. Eh, we say if you want your Melissa McCarthy fix just continue with the Gilmore Girls rewatch.
The Great Christmas Light Fight (ABC, 8 p.m.): Season two of the most indulet Christmas reality competition series starts as families compete to win $50,000. All it takes is the most elaborate Christmas lighting displays to win a chance to cover the costs of your exorbitant energy bills!
Castle (ABC, 10 p.m.): It’s Christmas time on Castle, which means an ER dictor gets shot in the street! Happy holidays!
State of Affairs (NBC, 10 p.m.): Nick and Charlie receive a threatning text. Charlie also has some flashbacks, because that’s kind of her thing. All the while, there’s a smallpox contamination in Panama. The episode is titled “Bang, Bang,” but according to our extensive research, Nicki Minaj does not show up in a helicopter at the end, so what’s the point?
101 Dalmatians (AMC, 5:30 p.m.): Has there ever been a more perfect casting than Glenn Close as Cruella de Vil? We think not. We also have many scarring memories of our mother dressing as Cruella for at least three Halloweens in a row during our childhood. And now that we think about it, the plot of this film is made infinitely creepier in life action. #SaveThePuppies
The Santa Clause 2 (AMC, 8 p.m.): The first film might be the better movie, technically. But Aisha Tyler isn’t in the first movie, and she is in this one, starring as Mother Nature. (This sequel is very bad.)
Monday Night Football: Falcons at Packers (ESPN, 8:15 p.m.): The Atlanta Falcons face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, where the Packers are 6-0.
In case you missed it
The Simpsons: Since we’re already on an Oliver Sava kick, you might as well also check out his TV Club Classics review of “El Viaje Misterioso De Nuestro Jomer.”