Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, October 7. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.): The fourth season premiere of Arrow is titled “Green Arrow,” and we’ll be honest: Even though we were pretty disappointed by a lot of Arrow season three, we can’t deny that our nerd senses are tingling over that episode title. You see, Arrow is a show about the comic book character Green Arrow, but no one has even called him that yet. Crazy, right? Right. You get it. So, after last season’s “ride off into the sunset” finale, how is the show going to get Team Arrow back together? If you guessed “through the villainy of Neal McDonough’s Damien Darhk,” then you’re really good at guessing (and you probably also knew about that whole Green Arrow thing). Alasdair Wilkins knows a lot about comic book characters and guessing, so he can explain the Green Arrow to anyone who’s still confused.
Also noted
The Middle (ABC 8 p.m.) / The Goldbergs (ABC, 8:30 p.m.): You know it’s a good sign when you’re already amused by just the first part of an episode’s synopsis, and that’s exactly what we have here with The Middle: “Frankie is shocked when flannel-loving Mike decides to wear a Hawaiian shirt.” It’s ridiculous, and we love it. So, can The Goldbergs live up to that high standard? “Murray attempts to help Adam transition into adulthood by building a robot.” We’re not quite sure that’s the same as the Hawaiian shirt situation, but at the same time, we want to see how a robot is the key to puberty. Will Harris will allow it.
Survivor (CBS, 8 p.m.): We’re really happy Survivor is back, and you want to know why? Unlike with Big Brother, we can get real episode synopses here. This week, in “We Got A Rat,” “a castaway’s future in the game is in jeopardy when they’re caught sending a message to another tribe.” Quick and to the point. Just how Carrie Raisler likes it.
WWE NXT TakeOver: Respect (WWE Network, 8 p.m.): While the last WWE NXT TakeOver special (Brooklyn!) got the excitement going by announcing that its December event will take place in the UK, it really glossed over the fact that there would also still be a TakeOver special in October. But here it is, and it’s a pretty damn important one; not only are the women of NXT main eventing, they’re main eventing with a 30 minute Iron Man match for the NXT Women’s Championship. To the outside observer, women and wrestling may not be the best thing when put together, but tonight’s TakeOver is all about shattering those beliefs and expectations. Sasha Banks and Bayley’s NXT Women’s Championship match was arguably the best match of the last TakeOver event (and one of the best wrestling matches of the year), and now they’re getting the main event spot they truly deserve with tonight’s TakeOver. LaToya Ferguson will probably be sobbing tears of joy throughout the match, but she promises to write a competent review.
American Horror Story: Hotel (FX, 10 p.m.): It’s time to check in and… You know the deal with AHS and/or Ryan Murphy at this point. Emily L. Stephens sure does.
You’re The Worst (FXX, 10:30 p.m.): After last week’s episode ending, we’re extremely frustrated that the synopsis for this week’s episode, “We Can Do Better Than This,” doesn’t address it at all. Stupid spoiler control. But the synopsis does give us something to look forward to in the laughs department, as “Gretchen and Lindsay discover all they do is talk about men and set out to change the status-quo.” Meanwhile, Jimmy is still having some issues with his writing, and Edgar finds himself connecting (wink wink) with his improv teacher, Dorothy. That all sounds nice, but Vikram Murthi (and the rest of us) just want to know what the hell Gretchen was doing at the end of last week’s episode!
Regular coverage
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.)
Empire (Fox, 9 p.m.)