Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, February 1. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
The 100 (The CW, 9 p.m.): Can you hear the “Echoes?” The 100’s fourth season premiere certainly can. And you know what? Some people might be afraid to get dirty deets like this about an episode, but if you’re not, keep reading: “Clarke and her friends struggle with how to proceed after the fate of the world is revealed.” Whoa. The CW is basically giving its shows’ plots away for free these days! Kyle Fowle’s return to review duty will try to bring some of the mystery back to The 100, but we can make no promises.
Vikings (History Channel, 9 p.m.): Unlike our other top picks for this Wednesday night, Vikings obviously doesn’t take place in the future. Or maybe it secretly does—doomed to repeat history and all that jazz. Vikings (a show now either about vikings from the past or future vikings) ends its fourth season tonight with “The Reckoning.” Oh yes, these vikings mean business. “Prince Aethelwulf is targeted by the Vikings’ battle plan, while Ecbert stays behind formulating his own plan.” After last week’s penultimate episode, Dennis Perkins hopes this finale sticks the landing. Or there will be another type of reckoning…
The Expanse (Syfy, 10 p.m.): Finally, The Expanse has come back to television. And it’s back with a two episode second season premiere, so don’t say it never gave you anything. In this premiere: “Miller, Holden, and the crew of the Roci deal with the aftermath of their narrow escape from Eros. We meet Martian Marine Gunnery Sergeant Bobbie Draper (Frankie Adams) and her platoon when the ‘Cuban Missile Crisis’ between Earth and Mars heats up.” That’s right, The Expanse is getting right into it, with “into it” meaning a whole lot of Mars mess. By the way, this premiere is a 95-minute presentation with “limited commercials,” so we’ll just compensate with this YouTube clip for a Syfy original movie.
Premieres and finales
Madiba (BET, 8 p.m.): If you’re in the mood for an original miniseries, look no further than BET. Madiba is an “original production that focuses on the story of Nelson Mandela (Laurence Fishburne), the globally beloved humanitarian, as well as the many other leaders of the African National Congress—Oliver Tambo (Orlando Jones) and Walter Sisulu (David Harewood)—who fought alongside Mandela in the multi-racial, multi-national movement that led to the end of South African apartheid.” Part one of this three-week saga airs tonight.
Showtime At The Apollo (Fox, 8 p.m.): We were promised Chaka Khan.
The Quad (BET, 10 p.m.): After the Madiba premiere, the new BET drama The Quad “follows the ambitious yet secretive life of Eva (Anika Noni Rose), the newly elected President of Georgia A&M (an HBCU), her administration, and the entering freshman class.” We admit: We can’t help but be intrigued by an “ambitious yet secretive” protagonist. Also, a TV show about an HBCU that also features Jasmine Guy? That’s certainly a selling point.
Cake Hunters (Cooking Channel, 10 p.m.): This “special presentation” of Cake Hunters asks the age-old question: “A Baker For The Bikers?” All right, that’s a very specific question and barely even a question at all.
Bering Sea Gold (Discovery Channel, 10 p.m.): The 10th season premiere of Discovery Channel’s Bering Sea Gold takes to “Uncharted Waters.” Meaning? “The summer-mining season begins with a lack of gold in Nome, Alaska, leading miners to extreme new locations. Later, Zeke travels offshore to Sledge Island, and Shawn attempts to build his empire with a new claim at the Bluff.”
The Carbonaro Effect (TruTV, 10/10:30 p.m.): “Magician by trade but trickster at heart, Michael Carbonaro will debut a new batch of unexpected and stunning tricks that will astound and amuse audiences for the third season of The Carbonaro Effect.” Don’t let the “trickster at heart” part deter you from watching this show—clearly whoever wrote this press release doesn’t know the true heart of a trickster. Rule number one for having the heart of a trickster: Never explicitly tell anyone you’re a trickster at heart. Rule number two for having the heart of a trickster: Name your show The [Your Last Name] Effect.
Regular coverage
Steven Universe (Cartoon Network, 7 p.m.)
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 7:30/7:45 p.m.)
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.)
Star (Fox, 9 p.m.)
The Magicians (Syfy, 9 p.m.)
Workaholics (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.)
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia (FXX, 10 p.m.)
Man Seeking Woman (FXX, 10:30 p.m.)
Streaming pick
A Different World (Netflix): Like we said before: A TV show about an HBCU that stars Jasmine Guy is a selling point.