Here’s what’s up in the world of TV for Thursday, March 3. All times are Eastern.
Top pick
The Family (ABC, 9 p.m.): You’d be forgiven for not quite grasping the premise of The Family from its cryptic promos. But thankfully Joshua Alston lays it all out in his pre-air review: The show centers on the return of a teen named Adam Warren, who was presumed dead following his disappearance 10 years ago. Now the Warrens must adjust to Adam’s return while matriarch Claire manages her political career. A thriller with pulpier elements, the show’s real draw is its prestigious cast including Alison Pill, Zach Gilford, Rupert Graves, and Joan Allen (who is making something of a habit of abduction stories between this and Room). Plus Andrew McCarthy plays the neighbor wrongfully imprisoned for Adam’s murder. Joshua notes the show is “surprisingly quick to crank its burners up to 11 and get the pots boiling.” And it does so tonight before switching to its regular time slot this Sunday at 9 p.m.
Also noted
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 8 p.m.): That’s right, halfway through this show’s 12th season, The A.V. Club has finally decided to give Grey’s Anatomy regular coverage a go. Caroline Siede scrubs in and grabs a scalpel to dissect tonight’s episode, in which Meredith’s first surgical patient returns to the hospital with a new aneurysm.
The 100 (The CW, 9 p.m.): In “Thirteen,” The 100 flashes back to a “darker chapter of humanity’s past.” Considering the show started by sending 100 teens to their presumed death, that’s really saying something. Elsewhere Lexa tries to maintain peace and Clarke uncovers a “game-changing truth.” The creators are billing this episode as crucial one, and Kyle Fowle will be there to make sense of it all.
Vikings (History Channel, 10 p.m.): Last week, Dennis Perkins criticized Vikings’ “near-disaster of a second episode,” but there’s always that hope the show can right itself. This week a “mysterious visitor” advises Ragnar to take mercy on Floki. We can only assume that’s part of an unexpected History Channel/Netflix crossover in which Fuller House’s Uncle Jesse delivers his signature catchphrase, “Have mercy.”
Regular Coverage
You, Me And The Apocalypse (NBC, 8 p.m.)
DC’s Legends Of Tomorrow (The CW, 8 p.m.)
Elementary (CBS, 9 p.m.)
How To Get Away With Murder (ABC, 10 p.m.)
