Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, August 28. All times are Eastern.
Top two-hour event
Defiance (Syfy, 8 p.m.): Oh summer, where did you go? It was just yesterday we were whining about the second coming of the polar vortex, and now it’s disgustingly humid, feels like a hundred degrees, and Labor Day weekend is just a scant 24 hours away. We bid goodbye to wearing white pants and summer Fridays—and Defiance, which closes out its second season tonight with a double-header of “All Things Must Pass” and “I Almost Prayed.” Rowan Kaiser will be stepping back from weekly reviews because his new full-time gig at Winter Is Coming is going to eat up all his time—so make sure to stop by and say hello/goodbye to him tonight.
Other notable two-part events
The Quest (ABC, 8 p.m.): A two-parter tonight of the fifth and sixth episodes for no clear reason except that ABC needs to fill up more space in its lineup in the doldrums of summer. The Paladins do things! For two whole hours!
Welcome To Sweden (NBC, 9 p.m.): And with Working The Engels out of the way, Welcome To Sweden occupies its timeslot for one half-hour so that it can conclude its freshman season. Aubrey Plaza is in the finale! Hooray, Aubrey Plaza!
Regular coverage
Married (FX, 10 p.m.):
You’re The Worst (FX, 10:30 p.m.)
Other stuff that is on
Steven Universe (Cartoon Network, 6:30 p.m.)
The Honorable Woman (SundanceTV, 10 p.m.)
Garfunkel And Oates (IFC, 10 p.m.)
Satisfaction (USA, 10 p.m.)
Elsewhere in TV Club
Marah Eakin talked to Mitchell Kriegman, the creator of Clarissa Explains It All, about his upcoming young-adult novel Being Audrey Hepburn and the storied history of the Nickelodeon show that shaped the network’s legacy. Warning: Autoplay (those Clarissa clips can only be embedded if they autoplay, which is super-annoying!).
TV Club Classic
Battlestar Galactica (2 p.m.): In keeping with the pace of the last two episodes, Sonia Saraiya is taking today’s review to focus on “33,” the first episode of the first season that isn’t really the pilot but is still kind of the pilot because it aired like waaay after the miniseries. Prepare for your 238th FTL jump in 3, 2, 1…
What else is on?
The Simpsons Marathon (FXX, all day): It continues. All of season 16 and a good chunk of season 17. We… stopped watching.
Great Performances: Rejoice With Itzhak Perlman (PBS, 9 p.m.): This is a klezmer-ish concert on PBS. From TV Guide: “Violinist Itzhak Perlman and cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot perform liturgical and traditional works with the Klezmer Conservatory Band and Rejoice Chamber Orchestra, including ‘Yism’Khu,’ ‘A Dudele,’ ‘A Yidishe Mame’ and ‘Sheyibone Beys Hamikdosh.’ Other selections include ‘Rumenische Doyne,’ ‘Shoyfer Shel Moshiakh’ and ‘Adir Hu-Moyshe Emes.’” Viewers will also be treated to reminiscences from Joel Grey, Neil Sedaka, and Elie Wiesel.
Big Brother (CBS, 9 p.m.): Our long national nightmare continues.
Dating Naked (VH1, 9 p.m.): “Two disrobed daters named AJ and Liddy, both luckless in love, arrive in paradise seeking a romantic match.”
Rush (USA, 9 p.m.): We’re not really following this series, which debuted as the same time as Satisfaction. But tonight’s episode title and description is very funny: “Because I Got High,” which sounds an awful lot like rushy Dr. Rush goes to Burning Man: “A rock star introduces Rush to a powerful hallucinogen that changes his perspective entirely.” Entirely.
Rush changes his perspective entirely and finds his true calling which is becoming a member of the band Rush
And now back to the studio
#candidlynicole (VH1, 10 p.m.): Nicole goes to a psychic. The psychic tells her that she comes from a place of negativity and fear. Nicole tries to be more positive. Then she confronts her fear of public speaking.
LeAnn And Eddie (VH1, 10:30 p.m.): This sixth episode is the season finale. The description is horrifying—apparently Eddie wants to redecorate a room, and in the process, “hopes to teach LeAnn a lesson” about caring about his feelings. Okay. Cool.
Black Jesus (Adult Swim, 11 p.m.): “I Gave At The Playground.” Which could mean a lot of things.
In case you missed it
Lost (classic): Myles McNutt’s reviews of this are happening, and summer isn’t over just yet. Check out a little bit of our TV Club Classic lineup. Show it some deserted-island love. There’s still time.