That psychic detective show is finally ending (No, the other one)
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Wednesday, February 18. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
The Mentalist (CBS, 8 p.m.): The Mentalist isn’t just on tonight—it’s having a two-episode series finale event. Yes, series finale. That might feel like it’s come out of nowhere (just like an RKO), but here it is. In episode one, “Jane goes back to his roots and pretends to be a psychic in order to lure out a serial killer for the FBI.” Then, in the second and final episode of the series, “Lisbon agrees to marry Jane.” If you’ve only watched the pilot episode of The Mentalist, then both of these plot points probably make absolutely no sense to you. In fact, if you’re like your friendly, neighborhood What’s On Tonight contributor who watched the first six and a half (out of seven) seasons, it still makes no sense. But now is not the time for sense; now is the time for goodbye. So goodbye, The Mentalist.
P.S. In all seriousness: Other than being about individuals with keen observational and deductive skills (like pretty much any lead in a procedural series), The Mentalist and Psych had nothing in common.
Also noted
The Middle (ABC, 8 p.m.) / The Goldbergs (ABC, 8:30 p.m.): Is Sue going to say yes to Darrin’s marriage proposal? Since this isn’t Suburgatory (sorry—too soon), probably not. (At least, hopefully not. She’s still in high school.) Then again, as the voiceover goes, they do things differently in the area known as “The Middle.” As for The Goldbergs, “Adam doesn’t take kindly to being voted ‘nicest guy’ in the school yearbook.” Will Harris thinks we should probably synchronize our watches and start the countdown to the “bad boy” makeover montage.
Empire (Fox, 9 p.m.): It looks like the TV Guide Guy is just as invested in Empire as the rest of us: “Lucious tries to brand Empire Entertainment as a tight-knit, family-run business which, ironically, complicates the already tense relationship between Hakeem and Jamal.” Joshua Alston agrees that’s all the recipe for a perfectly fascinating episode of television, but like us, he’s a little disappointed the episode description isn’t just this.
Broad City (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.): This week, in “The Matrix,” Abbi and Ilana decide to go off the grid and leave their electronics behind for the day. Last week, Broad City gave us all the gift that keeps on giving: Val. How is the show going to live up to such beauty? We don’t know, but we (especially Caroline Framke) are excited to find out.
Regular coverage
Arrow (The CW, 8 p.m.)
The 100 (The CW, 9 p.m.)
Modern Family (ABC, 9 p.m.)