Doctor Who Is Back With A Brand-New Time Lord: This Week’s TV Picks
Is he a good man?
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After a long wait since last Christmas’ Time of the Doctor, our favorite time lord finally returns for a new season…and a new Doctor. After two young and quirky Doctors in the forms of David Tennant and Matt Smith, respectively, actor Peter Capaldi is set to play a Doctor who’s showing his years more, and who is a bit darker than his earlier selves. Don’t expect any flirtation between him and companion Clara. Hell, she’s not even sure he’s “a good man” anymore.
Naturally, BBC America is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the Doctor’s return, starting today with a reairing of the Doctors Revisited specials, a marathon of episodes, and a new special entitled The Ultimate Time Lord premiering tonight at 10/9c. The Who marathon will run all week, leading up to the season premiere Saturday night at 8/7c. They’ve even got both a pre-show and an after-show sandwiching the actual episode.
So, what should we expect from “Deep Breath,” the first full episode starring Capaldi’s Twelfth Doctor? Clara will undoubtedly be dealing with the surreal experience of having her friend turn into an entirely different person right before her eyes, and the freshly regenerated Doctor will soon run across a mystery that captures his full attention — one that involves a dinosaur in Victorian London!
MONDAY
Doctor Who: The Ultimate Time Lord (BBC America, 10/9c)
Peter Davison is on a quest to discover what makes the ultimate Time Lord. The Fifth Doctor meets the talented people who have helped create the show both past, present and future, and asks ‘Who is the Doctor? What will make the Twelfth Doctor unique?’
Under the Dome (CBS, 10/9c) — “Awakening”
When Barbie enlists his father’s help to reach out to Julia, he realizes that Don may know more about the Dome than he is letting on. Meanwhile, Big Jim appoints himself sheriff of Chester’s Mill.
TUESDAY
Face Off (Syfy, 9/8c) — “Animal Attraction”
The 11 remaining artists face another individual challenge when they are told to mash-up two animals and create a unique new species.
WEDNESDAY
Extant (CBS, 9/8c) — “More in Heaven and Earth / Incursion”
CBS is doubling up on episodes tonight, and the ratings haven’t been great — not good news for Extant fans.
Convinced the agency has her baby, Molly is determined to find out where. Meanwhile, John discovers new and startling advancements in Ethan’s programming, and Kern holds Kryger hostage in an attempt to recover the incriminating video he stole from the ISEA.
How the Universe Works (Science, 9/8c) — “Milky Way”
The origins of the Milky Way galaxy are explored.
Man vs. the Universe (Science, 10/9c) — “How to Kill an Asteroid”
Efforts to protect Earth from the threat of asteroids are examined.
THURSDAY
Defiance (Syfy, 8/7c) — “Bottom of the World / Doll Parts”
Hmm, Defiance is doubling up this week as well. But bonus points for guest star Linda Hamilton!
A deadly mine collapse leaves Amanda and Pottinger trapped, and it’s a race against the clock for Nolan and Rafe to save them.
Nolan searches for Irisa, leaving Amanda to take on the deputy’s badge just as a shocking murder rocks Defiance.
MythBusters (Discovery, 9/8c) — “Plane Boarding / Bite the Bullet”
Adam and Jamie buckle up and return their seats to the upright position to test what really is the best, most efficient way to board an airplane. Tory, Kari, and Grant find out if a bullet made of teeth or even bone is non-traceable.
SATURDAY
Doctor Who: Live Pre-Show (BBC America, 7:30/6:30c)
The new Doctor is almost here! Hooray!
Doctor Who (BBC America, 8/7c) — “Deep Breath”
When the Doctor arrives in Victorian London he finds a dinosaur rampant in the Thames and a spate of deadly spontaneous combustions. Who is the new Doctor and will Clara’s friendship survive as they embark on a terrifying mission into the heart of an alien conspiracy? The Doctor has changed. It’s time you knew him.
Doctor Who: After Who Live (BBC America, 11/10c)
The new Doctor was just here! Hooray!
Intruders (BBC America, 10/9c) — “She Was Provisional”
The series is about a secret society devoted to chasing immortality by seeking refuge in the bodies of others. Produced by BBC Worldwide Productions, from writer and executive producer Glen Morgan (The X-Files), the series is based on Michael Marshall Smith’s novel The Intruders. A contemporary, chilling, paranormal tale set in the moody Pacific Northwest, the series spins a fascinating and complex web of drama. As strange, apparently unrelated events start happening, multiple story-lines — a missing wife, an assassin covering his crimes, a child on the run — begin to intertwine to reveal a conspiracy that will forever change our understanding of human nature.
Outlander (Starz, 9/8c) — “No Way Out”
Claire uses her medical skills to escape Castle Leoch, and with help from Jamie, tends to a sick child. Later, during the evening entertainment, Claire listens to a tale that offers her hope for freedom.
SUNDAY
Falling Skies (TNT, 10/9c) — “Drawing Straws”
Tom and the remnants of the 2nd Mass learn to pilot a Beamer as part of their plan to destroy the Espheni Power Core, and the group draws straws to see who will embark on the dangerous mission. The threat of death hanging over everyone triggers long-simmering confrontations between many of our main characters, ultimately bringing the 2nd Mass closer together. Treva Etienne guest-stars.
The Last Ship (TNT, 9/8c) — “No Place Like Home” (Season Finale!)
Chandler and his crew finally return home, where a former D.C. power player is fending off a dangerous warlord who threatens everyone’s hopes of restoring law and order in society. Now with a location and a means to finalize their mission, Chandler sets out to find his family, only to discover something absolutely terrifying about this brave new world.
The Leftovers (HBO, 10/9c) — “The Garveys at Their Best”
Kevin tries to suppress his bad habits while tracking down a marauding deer in Mapleton. Laurie receives not-unexpected news amidst a rising sense of foreboding. Tom connects with his past, against his better judgment. Nora has a job interview; Kevin Senior (Scott Glenn) receives an honor.
The Lottery (Lifetime, 10/9) — “Sleep Deprived”
Vanessa works against Darius to control the Lottery; the Lottery contestants acclimate to the pressures of their new lives; Kyle meets an unlikely new ally; Alison’s investigation intensifies.
Manhattan (WGN, 10/9c) — “A New Approach to Quantum Cosmology”
Frank clashes with Charlie to protect Babbit, who has become the subject of an investigation.
Masters of Sex (Showtime, 10/9c) — “Asterion”
Masters becomes impotent — and cuts off his sexual work with Johnson.
The Strain (FX, 10/9c) — “For Services Rendered”
Setrakian, Eph, and Nora formulate a plan to track down the Master using Jim as bait. Eichhorst and Setrakian’s pasts are revealed. At the Luss home, Neeva struggles to protect the children while encountering a mysterious stranger whose help she may not want.
