The Hollow Crown wraps up with the amazing transformation of Prince Hal into King Henry V
Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Friday, October 11, and Saturday, October 12. All times are Eastern.
TOP PICK
The Hollow Crown (PBS, 9 p.m., Friday): Viewed in one way, this is a terrific series of Shakespearean adaptations that has reached its promised end with the most famous play of the whole Henriad, Henry V. Viewed another way, these are the original superhero movies, like how Prince Hal transmogrifies into King Henry V, and nobody bats an eye, except for Falstaff, and we all know how that turns out. Also, there are super sweet battle scenes and the like. Okay, you’re not buying it? We aren’t really, either. But Kevin McFarland thinks you should watch these. They’re some pretty great TV.
REGULAR COVERAGE
The Legend Of Korra (Nickelodeon, 8:30 p.m., Friday): This week’s episode is called “The Sting,” which means that it’s going to conclude with Korra unleashing a huge con while ragtime plays. Programming note: Due to screener availability, Emily Guendelsberger’s reviews will be appearing on Saturdays now.
Borgen (LinkTV, 1 a.m., Saturday): Wait, Birgitte’s launching her own political party? How will Todd VanDerWerff draw increasingly specious comparisons to American politics now? He supposes he can just talk about the Tea Party, even if that party’s members would almost certainly have Birgitte killed.
Saturday Night Live (NBC, 11:30 p.m., Saturday): Bruce Willis—which, what is he promoting, exactly?—is one thing, but Bruce Willis and Katy Perry? We think ABC should remake Moonlighting with these two. David Sims would watch that, but only if Cybill Shepherd took over the Die Hard franchise in exchange.
TV CLUB CLASSIC
The X-Files (1 p.m., Saturday): Vince Gilligan wrote just the one script for season eight, but it’s a real corker, and Todd VanDerWerff gets to review it. Of course, the other episode he’s looking at isn’t so great, but that’s to be expected of a show in its eighth season, now isn’t it?
Doctor Who (Classic) (3 p.m., Saturday): Christopher Bahn is pretty excited about the discovery of those lost Doctor Who episodes. He won’t be reviewing any of them this week, but we’re hopeful he can offer up some thoughts on them in the weeks to come. For now, though, it’s just boring old non-lost Who.
WHAT ELSE IS ON
Peg + Cat (PBS, 9 a.m., Friday): Take one Gwen Ihnat. Add this new animated series from the Fred Rogers Company that stars a little girl and her cat. Then add in a hefty dose of mathematical genius. Multiply it all with whimsy and charm, and what do you get? A What’s On Tonight blurb we hate!
The Neighbors (ABC, 8:30 p.m., Friday): It would seem the forces of Dog With A Blog have defeated this one, because even with our entreaties for y’all to read last week, only about 300 more of you did over the previous week. So this one goes into the TV Club dustbin, though we’ll check in a few other times.