This week on television, there are eight new and returning TV shows — including the Canadian time travel show we've been talking about for months, Continuum, which is finally coming to American TV. There's also the return of Syfy's Being Human, and Archer! Katee Sackhoff is back on Star Wars: The Clone Wars! Plus there's the two-hour finale of Fringe, and the two-hour season finale of Haven.
Check out a ton of clips and details from all this weeks' TV, below.
Today:
Adventure Time (7:30 PM, Cartoon Network):
Check out a brand new clip. We're back to interrogating the meaning of heroism, in "Davey": "Finn can't go anywhere without folks stopping to thank him for being a hero." Hence the reason why Finn creates an alter ego, Davey Johnson. And that's followed by a brand new Regular Show at 8 PM.
Continuum (8 PM, Syfy):
This is that much-bruited Canadian show about the cop who travels back in time from 2077 to 2012, chasing a group of terrorists. The pilot, airing tonight, raises more fun time travel questions than any new show we've seen in ages — and we love some of the lovely hardware that Kiera wields in her fight against the Liber8 fantatics. We also love the way this show manages to create some gray areas as to whether Liber8's fight against a corporate-dominated future is really entirely wrong. (The show's first season does have its ups and downs, for sure, but we're still pretty stoked about this show.) Check out our original article about the pilot from last May, plus our interview with the show's creator Simon Barry and some exclusive concept art.
Being Human (9 PM, Syfy):
The season opener! Check out a clip at left — and here's what Syfy wants you to know about this dramatic scene:
Aidan is dug up & freed! Or is he? Our favorite vampire may be out of the ground, but he's not out of trouble yet.
Lost Girl (10 PM, Syfy):
Speaking of Canadian imports, this fantasy show about a succubus detective is back — and read our essay about why you should all check this show out. And here's a brand new clip from the season opener, where Bo is more wild than ever — and she may have gone off the deep end this time. There's a reason this episode is called "Caged Fae."
Also on TV tonight: Crash & Bernstein, the show about the kid and his sentient puppet friend, is back at 8:30 PM on Disney XD. There's also a brand new Castle on ABC at 10 PM.
Tuesday:
Fraid there's nothing on tonight. Go be with your loved ones.
Also on TV tonight: Science is showing three hours of Fringe from 8 to 11. There's a new Doomsday Preppers on National Geographic at 9 PM, plus a brand new Dual Survival at the same time on Discovery.
Wednesday:
Arrow (8 PM, The CW):
Check out a new clip! Oliver is having some performance anxiety as a result of his encounter with John Barrowman. Here are the deets:
OLIVER HANGS UP HIS HOOD - Oliver's (Stephen Amell) confidence is shaken after being beaten by the Dark Archer and he takes a break from being Arrow. However, when Laurel (Katie Cassidy) calls Arrow for help investigating a firefighter's suspicious death, he reluctantly agrees but his hesitance while fighting almost costs him his life. Meanwhile, Tommy (Colin Donnell) throws a benefit for the firefighters and Thea (Willa Holland) tries to lift Moira (Susanna Thompson) out of her depressive state.
The Neighbors (8:30 PM, ABC):
In a weirdly topical move, this show is targeting winter illnesses — although they're not actually doing a "flu pandemic" episode.
"Cold War" - When the entire Weaver family gets sick, it forces the Bird-Kersees to confront something new and terrifying — the common cold. The Bird-Kersees - especially Larry - can't understand why Debbie takes care of her family even though she is exposing herself to their cold. Having learned there is no cure for colds, Larry makes the community quarantine the Weaver house, but Reggie has other plans.
Supernatural (9 PM, The CW):
This show is back, too — and here's a sneak peek! We're picking up where we left off: With Sam remeeting his favorite vet in a totally not awkward bar hookup.
CASTIEL MUST SAVE A FELLOW ANGEL - Naomi (guest star Amanda Tapping) tells Castiel (Misha Collins) that Crowley (guest star Mark Sheppard) is holding an angel captive and Castiel must rescue him before Crowley finds out their secrets. Castiel turns to Dean (Jensen Ackles) for help. Meanwhile, Sam (Jared Padalecki) meets with Amelia (guest star Liane Balaban) who asks him to make a choice: stay with her or leave and never contact her again.
American Horror Story: Asylum (10 PM, FX):
It's the penultimate episode of the season, written by creator Ryan Murphy himself:
"Continuum" - A deadly new inmate threatens Sister Jude's chance of release from Briarcliff. Grace's obsession with the aliens turns violent.
Also on TV tonight: Cartoon Network is having some shows tying in with Lego Legends of Chima, from 7:30 to 8:30 PM.
Thursday:
Haven (8 PM, Syfy):
Remember how the last two episodes of this show's third season were delayed due to the school shooting? They're finally airing, back to back, this Friday. In "Reunion," violence strikes the local high school — hence the reason for the delay. And then in "Thanks for the Memories," Audrey, Nathan and Duke face off against the Bolt Gun Killer.
The Vampire Diaries (8 PM, The CW):
Basically, this week's episode is all about Damon mentoring the ridiculously buff and pumped up Jeremy — who looks "pumped up" in the sense of "somebody stuck a bicycle pump in his shoulders and kept pumping." Check out a clip at left, and here's what to expect:
REBEKAH IS BACK WITH A VENGEANCE - Appearing unexpectedly at Mystic Falls High, Rebekah (Claire Holt) wastes no time trying to force Stefan (Paul Wesley), Elena (Nina Dobrev) and Caroline (Candice Accola) to answer her questions about the search for a cure, leading to a bombshell piece of information from Elena. When Bonnie's (Kat Graham) father, Rudy Owens (guest star Rick Worthy, "Supernatural"), accepts the role of Interim Mayor, he makes it a priority to protect his daughter, who isn't at all comfortable with the role he suddenly wants to play in her life. Professor Shane (guest star David Alpay) continues to encourage Bonnie to believe in her powers, but he soon finds himself in danger when he reveals too much to the wrong person. Later, Caroline does her best to comfort Tyler (Michael Trevino) after a violent confrontation. Meanwhile, at the lake house, Damon and Matt (Zach Roerig) train Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen), trying to raise his game as a hunter, but Klaus (Joseph Morgan) is impatient with their progress and intervenes to speed up the process.
Last Resort (8 PM, ABC):
This show, too, is having its penultimate episode of the season — and in this case, the series. Are we really actually going to unseat the President? It can't possibly be that easy.
"The Pointy End of the Spear" - Kylie works with Admiral Shepard to bring down the President, using evidence of what really happened in Pakistan. This affords Marcus the opportunity to surrender the Colorado, if all goes according to plan, on "Last Resort," THURSDAY, JANUARY 17 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. Ernie Hudson guest stars as Speaker of the House Conrad Buell, who meets with a small group of Washington heavyweights to discuss the unthinkable when Kylie's video information helps persuade him to participate in a risky and treasonous maneuver.
Deadliest Space Weather (9 PM, Weather):
This time around, we're looking at meteors! Including the one that probably knocked out the dinosaurs.
Archer (10 PM, FX):
This espionage spoof is also back — and check out a brand new clip where Cyril reveals what his perfect day would look like. See more clips of the show's characters revealing their ideas of the perfect day at the show's Youtube channel. In the season premiere, "Archer has amnesia and decides the only cure is a spa weekend."
Also on TV tonight: There's a new House of Anubis on Nickelodeon at 8 PM, plus a new Big Bang Theory on CBS at 8 PM.
Friday:
Fringe (8 PM, Fox):
It's the two-hour series finale — and even though last Friday's exposition-filled episode left me cold, I am fervently rooting for this show to knock my socks off with a powerful conclusion. All they have to do is give John Noble some great material and let him work his magic. Here's what Fox wants you to know:
The acclaimed series that has explored the human condition through the prism of parallel universes, unexplainable phenomena and unimaginable threats, reaches a milestone 100th episode and comes to an epic and climatic conclusion. First, the Fringe team engages a desperate plan as Olivia embarks on a dangerous and otherworldly journey into the unknown. Then, Peter, Olivia, Walter, Astrid and Broyles face off against the Observers in one final and extraordinary battle for the fate of mankind.
The way that's worded makes me think Olivia visits the Other Side in the first hour, and then the final battle happens in the second hour.
Merlin (10 PM, Syfy):
Daddy issues can be fatal, especially in Camelot:
"The Death Song of Uther Pendragon": King Arthur finds himself torn between head and heart when a stranger gives him the power to summon the dead. Unable to turn down such a tempting offer he seizes the opportunity to speak to the person that he misses the most: his father. However, the spirit world is dark and dangerous and such a decision will come to a terrible price. Defying all odds, it'll come to Merlin to put right Arthur's mistake before everything they have fought for and built together is forever destroyed.
Also on TV tonight: There's a new Nikita at 8 PM on The CW. And there's a brand new Phineas & Ferb on Disney at 9 PM.
Saturday:
Star Wars: The Clone Wars (9:30 AM, Cartoon Network):
Thank goodness, looks like we're not following D-Squad any more. Instead, we're back with Savage and Maul, the Bobbsey Twins. And they're trying to take down Obi-Wan yet again. Jon Favreau guest stars as Pre Viszla and Katee Sackhoff is back as Bo-Katan. [assocaite]
DC Nation (10 AM, Cartoon Network):
Always a great idea to trust Sinestro. He's never let anyone down, ever!
Green Lantern, "Prisoner of Sinestro" - One of Hal's new teammates, the Green Lantern Sinestro, unwitting unleashes a dangerous entity during a mission aboard the Interceptor. Young Justice, "True Colors" - Blue Beetle's enemy, The Reach, join forces with LexCorp and Robin takes a team undercover to investigate the new alliance.
There's also some awesome new shorts.
Tasmanian Devils (9 PM, Syfy):
Yay! It's a brand new Syfy monster movie. Feels like ages since we had one of those. This time around:
In Tasmanian Devil, starring Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years) and Olympian medalist Apolo Ohno, a group of daredevil base jumpers in New Zealand confront oversized Tasmanian devils determined to kill them.
The thing about "oversized Tasmanian devils" makes me wonder how they determined exactly what the proper size for a Tasmanian devil would be.
Also on TV today: A new Ben 10: Omniverse on Cartoon Network at 9 AM ("Tummy Trouble").
Sunday:
Once Upon a Time (8 PM, ABC):
The townspeople of Storybrooke are a never-ending fountain of compassion and careful consideration of the options, basically.
"In the Name of the Brother" - Dr. Whale is tasked with mending Hook's wounds and performing surgery on the stranger whose car crashed upon entering Storybrooke. But some of the townspeople fear that the stranger may have seen magic — which could expose their true identities to the world — and think that leaving him to die would be the best solution. Meanwhile, as Mr. Gold tries to reunite with a despondent Belle, Cora attempts to reunite with daughter Regina; and in the land that was, Victor desperately wants to prove to his disapproving father that he can, indeed, bring back the dead.
Robot Chicken (Midnight, Adult Swim):
It's "Eaten by Cats!" Featuring: "The Teletubbies new roles as Power Rangers; Doc Brown's struggle with his time machine; 50 Cent's latest collaborator; a Lego person's birth."
Tron Uprising (Midnight, Disney XD):
It's the first season finale — and quite honestly, almost certainly the series finale as well. Featuring Aaron Paul as First Renegade.
When 'The Stranger' returns to Argon City to plot revenge on Beck and Tron, Beck is forced to choose between saving Tron or his friends.
Sources: Futon Critic, MSN TV, TV Guide, and various TV studio press releases.