Watch it
“Luther” (7 and 11 p.m., BBC America). Series premiere. It’s Stringer Bell, yo! Well, not quite. But it is Idris Elba (of “The Wire”) in a moody new mystery series about a troubled London detective. Tonight he investigates a murder that seems to be solved too easily. This series has gotten tons of hype (click here for Mo Ryan’s mostly glowing review) and looks seriously good.
“The Amazing Race” (8 p.m., CBS). The teams leave the heat of Africa for the chill of the Arctic. And it looks like Chad & Stephanie have a meltdown.
“Rubicon” (9 p.m., AMC). It’s season finale time, and things are finally falling into place. Last week was actually tense and suspenseful all the way through, so expect a big ending as Will finds out why David was killed, and Katherine learns the truth behind her husband’s suicide.
“Mad Men” (10 p.m., AMC). In the season finale, Don and Peggy get a surprising opportunity that could be a life-changer for both of them. Hmmmmm.
Catch a score
Giants vs. Phillies (5 p.m., Fox). Game 2 from Philly, as the ever-clutch Jonathan Sanchez takes the mound for the G-men.
Falcons vs. Eagles (10 p.m., Fox). Bleh, who cares?
Raiders vs. 49ers (1 p.m., CBS). The Battle of the Bay. Well, it would be, if either team had a shred of pride left. Could the Niners really start out 0-6? Yikes.
Colts vs. Redskins (5 p.m., NBC). Why would you ever watch this when the Giants are on? Watch some baseball.
Record it
“Boardwalk Empire” (9 p.m., HBO). Margaret tips off Van Alden about a secret shipment of beer (Gasp!), and Jimmy takes care of his sliced-up girlfriend and realizes maybe Chicago isn’t a great place to hide after all.
“Masterpiece Mystery: Wallander: The Fifth Woman” (9 p.m. PBS). The most depressed detective ever (and that’s saying a lot) investigates a possible serial killer.
“IRT Deadliest Roads” (9 p.m., History). More reasons why your commute rally isn’t so bad, comparatively.
“Bored to Death” (10 p.m., HBO). Jonathan tries to find a missing item for a professor (F. Murray Abraham), George panics when he has to take a drug test, and Ray’s comic book is a shocking success.
“Venture Bros” (11:30 p.m. Cartoon Network). Rusty’s feeling all suicidal, so Orpheus gets his family together to cheer him up. Uh oh.
Skip it
“Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal” (10 p.m., A&E). Season premiere. Spooky kids freak me out. Like that kid in the old “Twilight Zone” episode who could read minds and turned that one guy into a jack-in-the-box. Or the children of the corn. Or a children’s song like “Ring Around the Rosey” sung slowly.
