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Here’s what’s happening in the world of television for Tuesday, October 2. All times are Eastern.

Top pick

The Gifted (Fox, 8 p.m.): Perhaps the Legion season finale left you with a bad taste in your mouth. Maybe Deadpool 2 just wasn’t for you. Regardless, if you find yourself a bit sour on the X-Men universe, The Gifted may be just the series to cleanse your palate. It’s complicated, no denying it, but embrace the confusion and jump right in (or, you know, stream from the beginning). Last week, Polaris gave birth; this week, Andy and Lauren have a shared dream, Thunderbird hires a lawyer to help him find the Inner Circle, and Jace picks up the scent of his quarry. And at some point, the Frosts wear cute skirts and freak people out, as depicted in the photo above.

Regular coverage

This Is Us (NBC, 9 p.m.)

Wild card

The Great American Read (PBS, 8 p.m.): There are no shortage of real-life villains to despise in the world, but at least fictional villains are fun to hate. In that spirit, we’re looking forward to the fifth episode of The Great American Read, which will focus on “the evil deeds of some of literature’s favorite and most notorious villains”—you know, your Voldemorts, your Ramsay Boltons, your White Witches, your (sigh) Jack Hydes. Gather ’round the TV and let Meredith Vieira and her band of special guests refresh your memory on the dastardly deeds of literature’s most entertaining assholes.