The future is looking dark as Harlots levels up the intensity

Here’s what’s happening in the world of television for Wednesday, August 8. All times are Eastern.

Top pick

Harlots (Hulu): Summer TV is entering its final month, and Harlots is wasting no time ratcheting up the adrenaline and intrigue. Jessica Brown Findlay’s Charlotte is in a tight spot—she’s basically screwed unless she can convince Lydia of her loyalty. Meanwhile, Margaret is on a mission to save her daughters and Lucy makes a serious blunder; things are getting stressful in these 18th century brothels!

Regular coverage

Castle Rock (Hulu)
The Sinner (USA, 10 p.m.)

Wild card

Reverie (NBC, 10 p.m.): It still seems so strange that this show made it to air in the first place, let alone on NBC, but here we are at the season finale. Want to see the exciting conclusion to this season of a team of folks working to rescue people who lost themselves inside a giant virtual-reality universe? I mean, you should be watching The Sinner at 10 p.m., but if you want to record that one to savor it later, this is a suitably weird alternative.