On USA’s Dig, both characters and religious mysteries are welcome
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, March 5. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
Dig (USA, 10 p.m.): Once known for quirky procedurals, USA is now branching out into the world of action thrillers with Dig. This show has everything: religious prophecies, international politics, and Jason Isaacs. While stationed in Jerusalem, Isaac’s FBI agent investigates the murder of an American teen and accidentally uncovers a 2000-year-old conspiracy that could “change the course of human history.” Co-created by Homeland’s Gideon Raff and Heroes’ Tim Kring, Dig looks to balance the former show’s political thrills with the latter’s supernatural plotting while topping the whole thing off with healthy dose of religious iconography for good measure. (According to one trailer, the High Priest’s Breastplate can be used to communicate directly with God!) We put Emily L. Stephens on the case to figure out whether this 10-episode limited series is a secret success or a trainwreck of—wait for it—Biblical proportions.
Also noted
Scandal (ABC, 9 p.m.): Previews have already billed this week’s Scandal as, “The most powerful episode of the season.” At the very least, it’s one of the most topical. A white cop kills a black kid, and Olivia becomes involved in a tense standoff when the boy’s shotgun-wielding father seeks revenge. Joshua Alston weighs in on whether this plotline is an interesting exploration of a national issue or a cheap ploy for ratings.
Fortitude (Pivot, 10 p.m.): It’s a What’s On Tonight exclusive! The folks at Pivot were kind enough to share a never-before-seen clip from tonight’s new episode of Fortitude. It’s a good intro to the moody mystery series, in which Stanley Tucci’s American detective, DCI Morton, helps investigate a murder in the small Arctic town of Fortitude. But more importantly, the clip features Sherriff Anderssen (Richard Dormer) saying the word “Pettigrew” to a man who once played Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). Libby Hill is thrilled on multiple levels.
American Crime (ABC, 10 p.m.): ABC steps into the prestige game with this 11-episode limited series about prejudice in the U.S. judicial system. Created by 12 Years A Slave screenwriter John Ridley, the show’s all-star cast includes the likes of Felicity Huffman, Timothy Hutton, and Regina King. American Crime centers on a brutal home invasion that sparks a wide-reaching investigation, which in turn touches on issues of race, class, drugs, and violence. On paper it sounds a bit like a TV version of Crash, but while Joshua Alston did find the show’s racial politics a bit too on the nose in his pre-air review, he also thinks American Crime could be the exception to the rule that prestige drama has no place on network TV. (Libby Hill, meanwhile, has a place as your weekly American Crime correspondent.)
Regular coverage
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 7:30 p.m.)
The Big Bang Theory (CBS, 8 p.m.)
Vikings (History, 10 p.m.)
