Here’s what’s happening in the world of television for Sunday, December 30. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
The Orville (Fox, 8 p.m., season premiere, special night and time): Oh, The Orville. Seth MacFarlane’s The-Next-Generation-but-make-it-snarky sci-fi odyssey returns for a second season tonight, and while we weren’t nuts about the first season, there’s reason for optimism Here’s our own Nick Wanserski’s closing thoughts on the first season finale: “I’m impressed with how well the show has righted itself from its lackluster pilot over one very short season. I hope that confidence is in place in the fall, and that the show just keeps getting better from there.”
“Yes,” we hear you saying, “but what’s the deal with the pee reference in that headline?” Fair question, dear Reader. In the episode description for “Ja’loja,” the powers that be at Fox let slip this little morsel: “As The Orville heads towards Moclus for Bortus’ special once-a-year ceremony, Ed discovers Kelly has moved on and has started dating.”
Yeah yeah, Ed and Kelly, whatever. It’s Bortus’ ceremony that interests us. This is just a guess, as we haven’t gotten more than a glimpse at this premiere, but we do know that Moclans only urinate once a year. Bortus is a Moclan. Therefore, we conclude that “Ja’loja” will feature a good, long piss.
One last note about The Orville: This season premiere is airing on a special day and at a special time. It will return this week on Thursday at 9 p.m., and it’s on Thursday at 9 p.m. it shall stay. Look for recaps shortly thereafter.
Regular coverage
Outlander (Starz, 8 p.m.)
Escape At Dannemora (Showtime, 10 p.m.): series finale
Wild card
Little Women (PBS, 8:00 p.m.): Now, this is cheating a bit. Masterpiece’s Little Women first aired back in May, but PBS has been re-airing the Emily Watson and Maya Hawke-starring miniseries piece by piece over the course of the month. We’ve arrived at the finale, so if you’re still feeling a bit warm-cozy-holiday-sentimental and/or just love coming of age stories and gruff professor types, dial up those first two episodes on demand and swing by for the big finish.