In this week's television, Fringe hits a turning point, SGU reaches a climax and The Walking Dead's season ends. But the most exciting thing might be Psych's Twin Peaks tribute, featuring original castmembers. Also, Kevin Sorbo learns a terrible lesson.
Today:
There's a new Johnny Test at 7:30 PM on the Cartoon Network, "Good Old Johnny Test".
And then at 8 PM, there's a new Chuck on NBC — the belated Thanksgiving episode, where Mama Bartowski drops by for some leftovers. Here's a sneak peek:
At 8 PM, there's Adventure Time on Cartoon Network ("Crystals Have Power"), followed by a new Regular Show at 8:15 ("Ello Gov'nor"), a Mad rerun at 8:30 PM and a new Robotomy at 8:45 PM.
And then there's the midseason finale of The Event at 9 PM on NBC:
President Martinez confronts the traitor in his administration, only to be met with threats of exposing the cover-up of Avias Air 514. Even after testing the loyalty of Isabel and Thomas, Sophia still suspects their subterfuge, so she sends Simon on a fact-finding mission. Her suspicions are confirmed when Thomas unveils a shocking new plan. Meanwhile, on the hunt for Samantha, Sean and Leila battle the mercenaries sent by Dempsey.
Tuesday:
At 8 PM, there's a new episode of Tower Prep, on the Cartoon Network — and it sounds like it may actually lead to some answers. Here's what happens in "Election":
Gabe decides to run for class vice-president and aware that his opponent is a much more popular student, Gabe asks his friends to help run his campaign. Everyone assumes Gabe has it in the bag because of his powers of persuasion but mysteriously Gabe's ability is not working – a problem that quickly spreads to the entire student body, causing their abilities to completely shut down. Now they have to race the clock as they try to discover why this is happening, who may be causing it and how it ties into the origin of their special abilities.
And here are some clips:
Also, there's a new episode of the season's fastest improving new show, No Ordinary Family, on ABC at 9 PM. (Note: New timeslot!) It's "No Ordinary Anniversary":
Jim and Stephanie plan a romantic evening away from the kids to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary, but instead find themselves teaming up and using their superpowers to deal with a serial arsonist who is exhibiting some special powers of his own. Meanwhile, Daphne and JJ are left home alone and join forces to win some big money in a poker game with some fellow students.
Some sneak peeks:
And there's also the midseason finale of Stargate Universe on Syfy at 9 PM — the Destiny follows a strange energy signature to a region of space strewn with destroyed spaceships that appear to be the remnants of an ancient battle. Meanwhile, Eli struggles with how to tell his mom what really happened to him. Here's a sneak peek:
Wednesday:
Undercovers limps towards the end of its run, on NBC at 8 PM. Poor Undercovers.
Also at 8 PM, there's a new(ish) MythBusters: Buster's Cut on Discovery, followed by a new MythBusters at 9 PM. It's the "Bug Special."
There's also (I think) a new Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes at 8:30 PM on Disney XD.
In case you've never seen it, The Pixar Story is on CNBC at 9 PM. It's pretty much the definitive look at the company that brought us most of the best animated films of the past decade or so.
At 10 PM, there's a new Psych on USA, and it's something special — a Twin Peaks reunion that's also a Twin Peaks parody of sorts, called "Dual Spires." Featuring Sherilyn Fenn and Sheryl Lee, among others. Are you excited yet? Watch these trailers:
Thursday:
Kevin Sorbo plays a selfish toy company CEO who is forced to dress up as Santa to learn the error of his ways, in The Santa Suit, a TV movie premiering on the Hallmark Channel at 8 PM. Let's just pause to consider that: Dylan Hunt is forced to dress up as Santa. Somehow he ends up at a homeless shelter, where he meets a kind social worker, plus a latchkey kid who needs a father figure. And then he gets a job as a department store Santa. I'm not seeing the downside of this movie at all. Here's a clip:
At 8 PM, there's a new episode of The Vampire Diaries, on The CW, in which it sounds like we can count on our heroes to be total idiots (in an entertaining way) yet again:
JEREMY MAKES A DANGEROUS MISTAKE - Elena (Nina Dobrev) decides to take matters into her own hands and offers a tempting incentive to Rose (guest star Lauren Cohan) for her help. When things take an unexpected turn, however, Rose calls on Damon (Ian Somerhalder) to deal with the plan Elena has set in motion. Jeremy's (Steven R. McQueen) reckless attempt to help Bonnie (Katerina Graham) retrieve the moonstone lands him in a life-threatening position and forces Stefan (Paul Wesley) to put himself in danger. Bonnie and Luka (guest star Bryton James) form a closer connection. Tyler (Michael Trevino) shows Caroline (Candice Accola) the Lockwood cellar, where she makes a discovery that leaves them both terrified.
Here are a couple sneak peeks:
But there's apparently no new The Big Bang Theory this week.
And at 9 PM on Fox, there's the episode of Fringe we've been waiting on tenterhooks for two weeks to see. Actually, I've already watched it — and it's well worth the wait, despite a couple of slightly contrived plot twists. When last we saw our heroes, Walternate was preparing to do something fiendish to Olivia, while Peter was realizing the truth. It all comes to a head, for both Olivias, in this week's episode — and Peter's powers of deduction get pushed to the limit. I don't want to say any more, but it's pretty amazing stuff. And here's a sneak peek of one of the most intense scenes from the episode.
And then Burn Notice is on USA at 10 PM.
Also at 10 PM, the premiere of a new show on the History Channel, Brad Meltzer's Decoded, in which the former DC Comics writer and thriller author leads a team that looks into the secrets of American history. First up: the White House.
Yet another thing at 10 PM: National Geographic's Naked Science show has an episode called "Alien Fireballs" about just what it sounds like.
Friday:
At 6:30, the Hub is showing a special presentation of Transformers Prime, the surprisingly good new cartoon. It's "Darkness Rising Part 5."
And then there's another new Batman: The Brave and the Bold at 7:00 pm, with the promising title, "Darkseid Descending!". And that's followed by a new Ben 10: Ultimate Alien at 7:30 PM.
There's a new Smallville, on The CW at 8 PM, in which we go jumping to an alternate universe — always a good time:
JOHN GLOVER RETURNS AS LIONEL LUTHOR; EXECUTIVE PRODUCER KELLY SOUDERS MAKES HER DIRECTORIAL DEBUT - Tess (Cassidy Freeman) acquires a Kryptonian box that once belonged to Lionel Luthor (John Glover). When Clark (Tom Welling) accidentally activates the box, he's transported to a parallel universe where Lionel found Clark in the cornfields instead of the Kents. In this universe, Clark Luthor is a murderer and Lois (Erica Durance) is engaged to Oliver (Justin Hartley) and both of them hate Clark. Clark must be careful not to tip off Lionel that he's not his son while trying to figure out how to get back to Earth where the monster Clark Luthor was transported in his place.
There's also a new Medium on CBS at 8 PM.
Are you feeling the lack of treacly message films in your life? Did you feel as though Kevin Sorbo being forced to become a homeless Santa didn't do it for you? Then you'll love A Walk In My Shoes, a TV movie appearing on NBC at 8 PM, brought to you by Wal-Mart and Proctor & Gamble. Here's the blurb:
[Trish Fahey is] a stressed-out high school teacher who can't understand her students' lack of effort and why their parents don't seem to care. This is especially true of Justin (Cameron Deane Stewart), a basketball star who is underperforming in her class. All of this changes when Trish wrecks her car and wakes to find herself living in the shoes of Justin's mom (Jana Lee Hamblin), a woman she has personally judged and criticized. With the help of a mysterious stranger (Yara Martinez), Trish discovers the real reason behind her struggles, teaching her a whole new meaning of compassion. No one is left unchanged.
So it's basically Freaky Friday meets Wife Swappers. Without Kevin Sorbo.
Also at 8 PM, we get another outing of Genndy Tartakovsky's Sym-Bionic Titan on the Cartoon Network, followed by a new Generator Rex at 8:30 PM. And then at 9, there's a new Star Wars: The Clone Wars, "Pursuit of Peace." Here's a promo, on which one Youtube commenter remarked, "They need to go back to the clones."
At 9 PM, there's a new Supernatural on The CW, in which the brothers make another dangerous demonic alliance:
MEG'S BACK! - Meg (guest star Rachel Miner) kidnaps Sam (Jared Padalecki) and Dean (Jensen Ackles) and tries to force them to tell her where Crowley (guest star Mark A. Sheppard) is hiding. Sam makes her a deal – they will help her find Crowley if she promises to torture him for information about how to get Sam's soul back. Castiel (Misha Collins) joins the fight but finds it difficult to work with Meg.
Here are a couple sneak peeks:
At 10 PM, there's a new Sanctuary on Syfy, "For King & Country."
Also at 10 PM, there's the season finale of Dean Of Invention on Planet Green — your last chance to let the inventor of the Segway tell you how to change the world. Don't miss it!
Saturday:
At 10 PM, Planet Green has Colony, a two-hour special presentation about Colony Collapse Disorder and what it means to all of us when the bees are becoming more scarce.
Sunday:
There appears to be a new Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes on Disney XD at 10 AM.
As usual, there's the Fox animation bloc from 8 to 10 PM, including The Simpsons and Family Guy.
More importantly, at 8:45 PM, HBO is showing Inside Game of Thrones, a 15-minute sneak peek at the long-awaited adaptation of George R. R. Martin's bestselling series. We cannot wait!
And then at 10 PM, there's the season finale of The Walking Dead on AMC. This is the last taste of zombie armageddon you're going to have for almost a year. We get inside the Centers for Disease Control, where there are some surprising revelations. Check out a clip: