Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, June 23. All times are Eastern.
Top picks
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 7:30 p.m.): It’s the biggest battle of the bands in Ooo’s history! Jake works backstage at the event while Finn serves as a celebrity judge. The episode description also hints that a “mysterious song” will come into play somehow. Since Olivia Olson (a.k.a Marceline) already noted on Twitter that “The Music Hole” contains her favorite ever Adventure Time song, this episode has the makings of an all-time classic. Oliver Sava is so excited he started spontaneously singing “My Best Friends In The World” when he heard the news.
Thirteen (BBC America, 10 p.m.): Did you watch the movie Room and wish it was six times longer? Then you’re in luck! This BBC America series—which aired in the U.K. in February—centers on a 26-year-old woman named Ivy Moxam (Jodie Comer) who escapes from the basement prison where she was held captive for 13 years. The rest of the five-episode series focuses on Ivy’s slow adjustment back to normal life as well as the mysterious circumstances surrounding her escape. Unfortunately, Jacob Tremblay isn’t around to lighten things up.
Queen Of The South (USA, 10 p.m.): Based on a Spanish telenovela drama called La Reina Del Sur, which was itself based on a novel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte, this USA summer series takes a female-centric approach to its drug lord narrative. Forced to flee from Mexico to America after the death of her drug-dealing boyfriend, Teresa Mendoza (Alice Braga) enters a nefarious world of drug trafficking herself. “Witness the rise of an American queenpin,” promises the promo video. In other words: Just call her HER-senberg.
Premieres and finales
Battlebots (ABC, 8 p.m.): Last summer’s revival of the early ’00s reality show Battlebots went over so well that ABC decided to bring back the series for a second (seventh?) season this summer. Once again, competitors design and operate battle-hardened robots in an arena combat tournament. This premiere officially kicks off the qualifying rounds and potentially speeds up the forthcoming robot takeover of Earth.
Lip Sync Battle (Spike TV, 10 p.m.): It’s hard to remember a time before Lip Sync Battle emerged to fill the content hole in our lives. But the show reaches its second season finale tonight as Undateable’s Chris D’Elia and Brent Morin go head-to-head.
TV Club Classic
Battlestar Galactica (11 a.m.): It’s another two-parter in this week’s Battlestar Galactica coverage. “Exodus” focuses on the human refugees who lead an insurrection against the Cylons in control of New Caprica. As Tigh heads the rebellion on the ground, Adama and Apollo try to help the humans from above. Personally, Zack Handlen can’t wait for the part where Christian Bale shows up and parts the Red Sea.
Streaming pick
Happy Valley, “Episode One” (Netflix): Like Thirteen, this is another British series that explores acts of violence against woman through a female perspective. Sarah Lancashire plays a small-town police sergeant grappling with crime in her city and pain in her past. Her stellar performance and a memorable turn from James Norton make this one a difficult but engrossing watch.