Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, April 15. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Dangerous Persuasions (Investigation Discovery, 10 p.m.): What do you find more unbelievable: that there’s a television program titled Dangerous Persuasions or that that there’s a television channel called Investigation Discovery (which is dedicated to a whole list of television programs with ridiculous titles like Dangerous Persuasions)? Regardless, tonight is the second (SECOND) season premiere of this very real television program that exists on this very real television channel. The topic at hand? Well, with an episode title like “A Scientologist’s Escape,” you can probably use context clues, but we’ll give you a little something more.
Dangerous Persuasions “explores everyday people who were brainwashed into making remarkable sacrifices and committing unthinkable acts in the process.” In this particular case, it’s the story of Marty Rathbun. “Marty Rathbun signs a billion year contract with the Church of Scientology, convinced it will help cure his mentally ill brother. He climbs the ranks becoming one of its most elite officers. But Mark is increasingly exposed to the dark, violent side of the church.” You might also remember Marty from the recent HBO Scientology documentary Going Clear. That Scientology’s so hot right now.
Also noted
The Middle (ABC, 8 p.m.) / The Goldbergs (ABC, 8:30 & 9:30 p.m.): What’s better than an episode of The Middle and The Goldbergs a piece? An episode of The Middle (where Axl turns 21) and two episodes of The Goldbergs (all about work and politics—the ‘80s way), split up by a repeat of Modern Family (where Haley turns 21). That’s the type of sense that doesn’t quite make sense, but Will Harris is up to the task.
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.): “One castaway creates a fake idol to prevent being eliminated.” Are they allowed to do that? Carrie Raisler, are they allowed to do that?
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.): How is it at all possible that it took Arrow three seasons (and 19 episodes into that three episodes) to name an episode “Broken Arrow?” Seriously, how? We musn’t dwell, as it’s not like this episode is a shot-for-shot remake of the Christian Slater/John Travolta film: In this episode, Doug Jones guest stars as DC villain Deathbolt, and Oliver is forced to ask Ray for help. Alasdair Wilkins will be racking his brain trying to decide who is the Christian Slater and who is the John Travolta in this scenario though, just in case it does somehow become that shot-for-shot remake.
The Americans (FX, 10 p.m.): This week on The Americans, “Paige acts out.” We realize spoilers are a sensitive subject, but we’re also just bracing all of you (especially Erik Adams) for what is sure to be the defining moment of The Americans.
Regular coverage
Broadchurch (BBC America, 10 p.m.)
Marvel’s Daredevil (Netflix)
Elsewhere in TV Club
British comedian Simon Amstell has a lot of opinions, which is why Josh Modell found him to be the perfect candidate for 11 Questions. But perhaps the most opinion is his opinion on Leonardo DiCaprio’s hair. (He loves it.)
Then there the latest Inventory, which also compiled a list of 12 “wastes of artificial intelligence,” courtesy of A.I. Week.
Also, Will Harris spoke to Michael Madsen about Free Willy for Random Roles (10 a.m.). They spoke about Madsen’s other roles of course—that is the feature—but they also talk about Free Willy. Free Willy!
TV Club Classic
Lost (Classic) (1 p.m.): Sadly, neither “Enter 77” nor “Par Avion” have tattoo backstories (or Bai Ling, who recently made news for wearing a dragon), but at least one of these episodes has daddy issues. Myles McNutt thinks that just might be the key to all of this Others stuff.
What else is on?
Young & Hungry (ABC Family, 8:30 p.m.): This week on Young & Hungry, Elliot’s 40th birthday is a disaster, thanks to Gabi. Thanks a lot, Gabi. And yes, apparently 40-year-olds are now allowed to exist in non-parental (and non-predatory) roles on ABC Family now. The times they are a-changin’.
Criminal Minds (CBS, 9 p.m.): If you’re an Ed Asner fan, you should watch tonight’s episode of Criminal Minds. If you’re not, we’re not saying you should skip it, but you just won’t have that as an incentive. Unless the case-of-the-week is you’re particular cup of tea: “When a Maryland family is found murdered at their dining room table, the team tracks down other family members and friends to uncover secrets that may have led to it.” If that is your cup of tea, enjoy. Weirdo.
Supernatural (The CW, 9 p.m.): Felicia Day’s Charlie is back on tonight’s Supernatural, and she brings with her information on the Book Of The Dead… which could possibly remove the Mark of Cain. (Yes, that’s still happening.) We’re sure this will all end up wel— Oh, Charlie is shot by a man who says the book belongs to his family? That might be a bit of a problem.
Nashville (ABC, 10 p.m.): You know what Nashville’s really been missing this season? Christina Aguilera as a character named Jade St. John. Tonight’s episode remedies that. Plot? What plot? Who needs plot?
Elizabethtown (Flix West, 7:05 p.m.): “A suicidal sneaker designer heads to Kentucky for his father’s funeral and falls for a perky flight attendant along the way.” The year was 2005. The soundtrack was Ryan Adams and eastmountainsouth. Where were you when Elizabethtown first came out? Don’t lie. You know you have an Elizabethtown story, even if that story is just that you always confused it for that other Kirsten Dunst movie, Wimbledon. Fine. You don’t want to answer that question? Then where were you when “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” was first uttered?
First Blood (AMC, 8 p.m.): Is there more of an American movie classic than First Blood? The answer is no. No there is not.
Stanley Cup Playoff: Game 1: Blackhawks at Predators (NBC Sports, 8:30 p.m.): Ah, Stanley Cup season. This is Game 1 of theWestern Conference first-round series, with Chicago (in their seventh-straight playoff appearance) at Nashville. The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010 and 2013—is it time for the trophy to come back home in 2015?
Stanley Cup Playoff: Game 1: Islanders at Capitals (USA, 7 p.m.): If you’re more of an Eastern Conference person, then USA has you (and all of its welcome characters) covered with New York at Washington.
Lucha Underground (El Rey, 8 p.m.): Tonight, Lucha Underground’s first ever Trios Tag Team Champions will be crowned in a triple-threat elimination match. If you haven’t gotten the chance to check out Lucha Underground yet, do yourself a favor and watch tonight’s episode. Trios matches’ default state are “pretty damn good,” so this will definitely be worth it.
WWE NXT (WWE Network, 8 p.m.): If you say you ever thought you’d see the match-up of Rhyno versus Sami Zayn (or even Sami’s retired buddy, El Generico), you’re lying. But now that it’s happening, and we’ve got to admit, we’re pretty excited. It will be the good and pure kind of excitement, as opposed to the type of excitement we get whenever Alex Riley tries to start up a Twitter feud with Kevin Owens. (That second type of excitement is a mix between euphoria and second hand embarrassment.)
In case you missed it
The Flash: Can’t get enough Ray Palmer in Arrow? The answer to that doesn’t matter, because Ray Palmer is now also making his presence known on The Flash. He is just so full of… presence. Ray and Felicity take a trip to Central City in what Scott Von Doviak calls an “uneven crossover episode,” but he also manages to make a pretty good Lost joke at the end of it all, so there’s no way you can call it an uneven review.