Even though only a few shows are back this week, don’t rest on your laurels — these are all heavy-hitters. Monday’s lineup proves especially potent as TV’s favorite curmudgeon with a cane joins “24” on Mondays. J.J. Abrams is king this week, with two shows returning. Perhaps we’ll finally get a grip on this “pattern” the FBI agents in “Fringe” have been talking about, and maybe the castaways on “Lost” will inch closer to getting off the island.

Household name

“House”

Moves to Mondays, 8 p.m., FOX

Returns: Tonight

What you need to know: The start of the season was marked by House and Wilson’s bromance on life support. Wilson, devastated by Amber’s death, resigns from the hospital. He tells House it’s not his fault Amber died — but that they can no longer be friends because his friendship with house enables House’s destructive behavior. Of course, House can’t ignore this and hires a private detective to follow Wilson and tap his phones. Despite declaring they are no longer friends, Wilson kidnaps House to force him to attend House’s abusive father’s funeral, which House would have gladly skipped. During the road trip, Wilson is arrested on an outstanding warrant stemming from the first time they met. When they get home, Wilson concludes that their road trip was the most fun he had had since Amber’s death, and admits he distanced himself from House because he was afraid of losing his friend. If House and Wilson’s reunion weren’t enough to make you do jumping jacks, what about House and Cuddy, finally acknowledging that giant elephant of tension in the room? After four seasons of teasing viewers, they finally kiss, in a moment of sadness and vulnerability as Cuddy, losing an opportunity to adopt a child, takes solace in House, who cannot explain to himself what he feels for Cuddy. Thirteen, after revealing she has Huntington’s Disease last season, relapses into self-destructive behavior. Foreman convinces her to undergo clinical trials for experimental medication, and while she is reluctant, she accepts the spot and she and Foreman kiss in the last episode.

Why you should watch: You’re out there, dedicated medical drama viewer. You’ve stuck by “ER” all these years. You’ve sampled other shows, and even tried “Grey’s Anatomy” and its sugary spinoff “Private Practice,” but what you’re really craving is “House.” “House” is not just a medical drama; it really resonates with viewers because of House’s journey through physical and emotional pain, friendship and love. The very best episodes of “House” transform viewers, and the emotion of the brilliant writing and directing gives viewers something to take hold of, and something to care about. The best dramas do this, and for the best examples, just look at the episode “Wilson’s Heart,” which strikes the perfect balance of heartwrenching emotion, and “Birthmarks,” which combines just enough melancholy with humor.

Whom to watch for: Hugh Laurie’s Dr. Gregory House, in all his sarcastic glory, has never been better. Laurie continues to stun with his portrayal of the Vicodin-addicted doctor, and each episode is a showcase of his comedic and dramatic acting chops. He’ll move you to tears in one scene, and make you double over in laughter in the next. Even though House has a hard outer shell, Laurie allows the character to show vulnerability at just the right moments.