Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, March 30. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
The Path (Hulu, midnight): Here’s where things get tricky with the new What’s On Tonight format: This is a series premiere, so it could go into the premieres and finales section, thus freeing up a top picks spot. But if this isn’t a top pick, then what are we even doing here? This is a hard life, this What’s On Tonight game.
Anyway… Do you like cults? Because that’s what The Path is about! Created by Jessica Goldberg and executive produced by Jason Katims, The Path hopes to give you that cult lifestyle you secretly knew was bubbling under the surface of Parenthood but were too afraid to mention for fear of a Braverman-style takedown. “The Path follows a family at the center of a controversial cult as they struggle with relationships, faith and power. Each episode takes an in-depth look at the gravitational pull of belief and what it means to choose between the life we live and the life we want.” Aaron Paul! Michelle Monaghan! Hugh Dancy! Rockmond Dunbar! (And Minka Kelly, because like we said before: Jason Katims.) Kate Kulzick weekly episode reviews!
Lucha Underground (El Rey, 8 p.m.): Run—don’t walk—to last week’s episode of Lucha Underground, “Aztec Warfare 2.” No, we don’t care if you don’t watch Lucha Underground or wrestling. It’s just good television, end of discussion. It’s on iTunes. Plus, you’re here at The A.V. Club—you know how to use the internet. Go. Then thank us. Then watch tonight’s episode. And every episode. And then let’s get this Emmy campaign rolling. And now for the part that might undercut this but really shouldn’t…
[Note: El Rey, like The A.V. Club, is owned by Univision Communications]
Heartbeat (NBC, 8 p.m.): As promised last week, Heartbeat is going to be in our top picks for as long as it needs to be. Why? All you need to know is that it’s Alasdair Wilkins’ fault and that Alasdair is the Ralphus to your friendly neighborhood What’s On Tonight’s contributor Chris Jericho. By the way, your friendly neighborhood What’s On Tonight contributor would like you all to know that Heartbeat is up there with Lucifer on the list of shows she’s never going to stop talking about. As for the episode of Heartbeat: “When a young man is only able to speak sentences backwards, Alex (Melissa George) sees this as the perfect opportunity to test out some new technology. While Jesse (Don Hany) agrees this is the best course of action, Millicent (Shelley Conn) believes otherwise. This tension within their department might stem from past history which could further complicate things between Alex and Pierce (Dave Annable).” This is only episode three, but change the case of the week, and it’s already every episode of the show. Your friendly neighborhood What’s On Tonight contributor still loves it.
Premieres and finales
Star Wars Rebels (Disney XD, 9 p.m.): Star Wars Rebels gets a one hour finale for its second season (“Twilight of the Apprentice: Part I and II”), and luckily, there’s already a third season in the works for sometime this year. You won’t go through withdrawal, Kevin Johnson. We promise. “After gaining information about the Sith, Kanan, Ezra and Ahsoka battle the Inquisitors with the help of a new ally, but are overmatched when Vader arrives.”
Empire (Fox, 9 p.m.): Empire is back for its “spring premiere,” and surely there is some excitement for that. Somewhere. Let’s see how things are going there. “After losing the company he built, Lucious announces he will stop at nothing to regain his power, but Cookie has her own way of handling things.” We think we speak for Joshua Alston and everyone else when we say hopefully all of this is scored to a “Snitch Bitch” instrumental.
Lopez (TV Land, 10 p.m.): Hey, this isn’t a rerun of George Lopez… What are you playing at, TV Land? “Lopez explores the real George Lopez we rarely get to see, pushed and pulled between the worlds of race, class and fame, yet always having a hard time fitting in.” Oh, that’s what you’re playing at.
States Of Undress (Viceland, 10 p.m.): So here’s where things get tricky, because we want to believe that Viceland has gotten their hands on the archives of MTV’s Undressed and decided to air them, possibly Pop-Up Video style. But no, that definitely can’t be what this is. Television networks sure know how to disappoint.
The Soul Man (TV Land, 10:30 p.m.): Cedric The Entertainer’s The Soul Man returns for its fifth season tonight, and you know what that means! More Niecy Nash on your television. #blessed
Regular coverage
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.)
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.)
Broad City (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.)
The Americans (FX, 10 p.m.)
Hap And Leonard (Sundance, 10 p.m.)
Streaming pick
Lucha Underground: 4-Way Match – FINAL AZTEC WARFARE 2 INVITATION (YouTube): Consider this a prequel to the Lucha Underground episode we just told you to watch. You can watch it afterwards, though. We’re so helpful!