Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Monday, November 9. All times are Eastern.
Top pick—DC Comics edition!
Supergirl (CBS, 8 p.m.): Supergirl keeps easing Supergirl into the whole being Supergirl thing, tossing another D-list DC villain at her. This week it’s Reactron (played by Sons Of Anarchy’s Chris Browning)—nuclear powers, no big whoop. Perhaps more dangerous, Cat Grant keeps up with her I love Supergirl/I hate Supergirl thing, writing an exposé that could cause Melissa Benoist’s fledgling hero no end of bad press, unlike the near-universal good press being generated by this fresh, promising new superhero series. But, since the show introduced Peter Facinelli’s Maxwell Lord last episode, the real fun is speculating when members of the Justice League International are going to show up.
Gotham (Fox, 8 p.m.): On the less bright DC front, Kyle Fowle continues to plow through this dour, scattered season of Batman’s very early days. Kyle saw signs of life in last week’s decent outing, saying, “There’s no telling if the cohesive threads in ‘Mommy’s Little Monster’ will hold together and begin to unravel at just the right time, but at least the episode shows signs of what Gotham can be.” So here’s hoping Gotham’s gloomy Gotham can build on that, as Barbara pursues Gordon, Bullock pursues Barbara, and Nygma tries to find his Riddler-esque purpose on the inadequately lamplit streets of Gotham City.
Also noted
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (The CW, 8 p.m.): When Greg accuses Rebecca of being a bad person in front of Josh (maybe because of that whole “ditch the nice guy who tok you to a taco festival and hook up with some rando with a man-bun” thing), she sets out to prove him wrong, presumably with a musical number entitled, “It Really Makes A Lot Of Sense When You Hear My Side Of Things.” Allison Shoemaker says if it’s as good as last week’s episode, she’ll allow it.
WWE Monday Night RAW (USA, 8 p.m.): After hearing that Seth Rollins’ knee basically exploded at a house show in Dublin, Kyle Fowle has been wandering around in a daze, clutching his official Seth Rollins action figure. He’ll pull it together to cover tonight’s Rollins-less RAW, because he’s a professional—unless his hands give out on him unexpectedly.
Jane The Virgin (The CW, 9 p.m.): Britney Spears guest stars for some reason, but Oliver Sava’s not too worried, having been suitably impressed by this second season so far. This week, Xo and Alba are fighting, Michael and Rafael are fighting, and Rogelio decides to have it out with old rival Britney once and for all.
Fargo (FX, 10 p.m.): In his review of last week’s outstanding episode, Zack Handlen said, of the forces driving this season’s characters:
“Fear And Trembling” has some important characters making some big decisions, and nearly all of those decisions are for the worst. Some of those decisions seem more justified than others, but there’s an irrationality at work as well, and that irrationality comes from a mistaken belief in the sanctity of what used to be; of mistaking memory for philosophy.
That nicely sums up how the second season is beginning to slide its characters toward the precipice, and, this week, Ed and Peggy continue to dig themselves deeper, the Gerhardts go to war, and Lou has to deal with a campaign stop from presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, played by someone in the midst of a serious Bruce-aissance.
Blindspot (NBC, 10 pm.): After a few surprisingly good episodes, Joshua Alston says Blindspot crashed back down to its traditional baseline of being decidedly average last week. Hoping for a rebound, Josh has all his money on this episode, where it’s discovered that one of Jane’s tattoos predicted a cop’s murder. The trail goes cold, however, once the team discovers that Jane is really, really ticklish before they can uncover the culprit.
Elsewhere in TV Club
Now that we’re all looking for some thoughtful, incisive sketch comedy (really, really looking), Erik Adams brings us his interview with returning sketch legends Bob Odenkirk and David Cross, whose Mr. Show reunion (in all but legally forbidden name) With Bob And David premieres on lucky (for us) Friday the 13th. And, in this week’s Inventory, your favorite AV Clubbers list 12 albums that should get an anniversary re-release this year, but probably won’t, because of the Man, man.
What else is on
Dancing With The Stars (ABC, 8 p.m.): One of the “stars” is going to get eliminated for not “dancing” very well, we have it on good authority.
The Voice (NBC, 8 p.m.): The top 20 singers head into the playoffs, singing their little singers’ hearts out to find out who will sing last. With the singing.
Women Of Honor With Michelle Obama And Jill Biden (Lifetime, 8 p.m.): The First and Second Ladies lead a tribute to women in the military.
Regular Show (Cartoon Network, 8:30 p.m.): A whole week of new, daily Regular Show episodes! Rejoice, therefore!
Monday Night Football: Bears At Chargers (ESPN, 8:10 p.m.): Neither of these teams is very good! But, hey, it’s still football, so go nuts.
Scorpion (CBS, 9 p.m.): The super-genius, super-nerdy Team Scorpion assists the CIA in locating a top-secret aircraft at Area 51, presumably while making “Jeff Goldblum was lucky those alien spaceships were Mac-compatible, huh?” jokes.
Vanderpump Rules (Bravo, 9 p.m.): The subjects of this reality show spun off from another reality show run a restaurant and are allowed to handle your food. This week, everyone has sex in the restaurant, and there are camera people tramping through the kitchen, and people are angrily throwing glasses of wine on each other. Just a guess—we don’t get screeners.
Antiques Roadshow (PBS, 9 p.m.): “We’ll call this episode of our antiques-appraisal show ‘Junk In The Trunk!’ We can be fun and saucy—we’re PBS!”
Bigfoot Captured (History, 9 p.m.): Not to poop the party, but if someone had actually captured Bigfoot, we’d probably be hearing about it in more places than History at 9 p.m. on a Monday. Wait—that means he’s still out there. Crap.
Major Crimes (TNT, 9 p.m.): As Seymour Skinner can attest, you can’t go wrong with a li’l Tom Berenger, so rejoice therefore, as the Bear (you can’t deny that’s a solid nickname) returns to help out Mary McDonnell and the Major Crimes team. They solve major crimes, people—they need all the help they can get. “Get me—The Bear!”
NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS, 10 p.m.): Kensi and Deeks go undercover in a cult to keep a state department employee from revealing secret stuff. By the way, it’s really easy to sing an imagined theme song just consisting of the names Kensi and Deeks. “It’s Kensi and Deeks, Deeks—Kensi and Deeks, Deeks! [extended drum break].” Catchy.
Castle (ABC, 10 p.m): Adam Baldwin’s Detective Slaughter comes to Nathan Fillion’s Castle for help when he’s accused of a crime, protesting, “Slaughter is just a name! Don’t people get that?!” As ever, those excited by the Firefly mini-reunion are advised to avoid Baldwin’s Twitter feed and just enjoy the show.
Legends (TNT, 10 p.m.): The second season of this action spy series posits a world where Saddam Hussein actually did have weapons of mass destruction, George W. Bush knew what he was talking about, and Sean Bean can anchor a successful American network show. In tonight’s second episode, Bean’s doggedly charismatic secret undercover agent continues to compete with all the tall tales (or… legends) about his exploits while he competes with actual people, usually by socking them right in the breadbasket.
Follow The Rules (MTV, 10 & 10:30 p.m.): Ja Rule and Mrs. Rule attempt to wrangle their family for MTV’s cameras in back-to-back episodes.
Independent Lens: Stray Dog (PBS, 10 p.m.): Kicking off the 17th season of this documentary film series, this story looks at a troubled Vietnam veteran’s life as he runs a trailer park, navigates his marriage to a Mexican woman dealing with immigration issues, and travels with other veterans to the Vietnam memorial. From Debra Granik, director of Winter’s Bone.
Gigi Does It (IFC, 10:30 p.m.): After being typically charming on the most recent Comedy Bang! Bang!, David Krumholtz climbs back into his fat suit and impressively bubbe-esque prosthetics in this fitfully amusing IFC comedy about a suddenly-rich old lady making people uncomfortable. Tonight, his Gigi decides to take revenge on her nemesis at a charity event, presumably by talking about old person sex very loudly.
Super Into (truTV, 10:30 p.m.): In this reality show, celebrities show off the things that they are… super into. Tonight—Kesha likes animals!
In case you missed it
Flesh And Bone: Molly Eichel says that this dance drama from former Breaking Bad writer and ballet enthusiast Moira Walley-Beckett finds the right steps in this premiere episode.