Rectify, Defiance, and Dominion
Here’s what’s up in the world of television for Thursday, June 19. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
Rectify (Sundance, 9 p.m.): It’s back, baby: Season two of this quiet, empathetic drama about former convict Daniel Holden and, you know, divine grace returns tonight. Todd VanDerWerff raved about the episodes he saw in his pre-air review, here; Erik Adams will return to his weekly scheduling duties tonight. We here at What’s On Tonight will meanwhile try to find some words that rhyme with “rectify.”
ALSO NOTED
Fourth Annual Critics’ Choice Television Awards (The CW, 8 p.m.): Wait, which critics?! We didn’t choose anything! WHY WASN’T WHAT’S ON TONIGHT INVITED?
Defiance (Syfy, 8 p.m.): This drama returns for its second season tonight with the characters taking an excursion to “New Chicago.” Tell them not to eat the chicken. Rowan Kaiser will return to his weekly reviewing of this show, and he, too implores you to not eat the chicken.
Dominion (Syfy, 9 p.m.): And Defiance is the lead-in to this new show, airing its pilot tonight. Kate Kulzick reviewed the pilot for us and found it tolerable; tonight, you see for yourself.
REGULAR COVERAGE
Adventure Time (Cartoon Network, 7 p.m.)
Regular Show (Cartoon Network, 7:30 p.m.)
Comedy Bang! Bang! (IFC, 10:30 p.m.)
SOME OTHER STUFF THAT IS ON
Gang Related (Fox, 9 p.m.)
Undateable (NBC, 9 p.m.)
Maron (IFC, 10 p.m.)
The Challenge (MTV, 10 p.m.)
TV CLUB CLASSIC
Monty Python’s Flying Circus (1 p.m.): The Monty Python boys strike back, and Zack Handlen will be there to block their hurled fruit with his body. He is hoping they don’t bring a coconut.
Friday Night Lights (3 p.m.): The show takes a few days off from football to delve into the drama of Dillon in the lull before the State semifinals. Sonia Saraiya feels like she’s reviewing a soap opera, in a good way.