Superman prequel Krypton begins with a story from long ago and far away

Here’s what’s up in the world of television for Wednesday, March 21. All times are Eastern.

Top pick

Krypton (Syfy, 10 p.m.): Once again, DC is traveling back in time to tell a story about what happened before those iconic heroes grew up and became so super. Whereas Gotham at least still featured Bruce Wayne as a character—albeit a little-kid version of him—Krypton, Syfy’s new Superman prequel series, goes back even further to two generations before the Man Of Steel was born and his home planet of Krypton was destroyed. The focus is on Supes’ grandfather, who fights to reclaim the good name of the ostracized House Of El and help keep the planet from falling into chaos. (Spoiler alert: It doesn’t go well in the long run.) Vinnie Mancuso will provide weekly reviews, but our pre-air assessment is pessimistic about the beginning of this story, saying it feels awfully derivative.

Regular coverage

The Looming Tower (Hulu)
Riverdale (The CW, 8 p.m.)
The X-Files (Fox, 8 p.m.) season finale
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.)
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.)
The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (FX, 10 p.m.) season finale

Wild card

Slutever (Viceland, 10 p.m.): We haven’t watched much of this series, which follows sex-advice columnist Karley Sciortino as she travels the world exploring the wide-ranging universe of sexuality. But this episode sounds a little bonkers: It’s about “ecosexuals,” people who believe that having sex with the earth can save it. So, you know, that’s a thing that exists.