Shows coming back this week are sure to please audiences of all ages, with several crime procedurals, Showtime’s strange new comedy and “Battlestar Galactica” hitting the airwaves. Those who have been ignoring their new year’s resolutions thus far should instead resolve to tune into this crop of fantastic offerings this week.
Mandy who?
‘Criminal Minds’
9 p.m., CBS, Wednesdays
Returns: Wednesday
» What you need to know: A very pregnant Agent Jareau sends Agent Jordan Todd to replace her during her absence. A multi-episode arc in Las Vegas focuses on Reid returning to his old stomping grounds, bothered by connections between his estranged father and the decades-old murder of a boy in his old neighborhood. It is discovered that the father of the murdered child took revenge on the culprit, and Reid’s mother was a witness to the act. Reid’s father helped cover up her involvement, and the burden of the secret contributes to her mental breakdown and the father’s departure from the family. At the end of the first half, Jareau has her baby and names Garcia and Reid godparents.
» Why you should watch: In many crime shows, the characters take the back burner to the case of the week, and things can fall apart if the subject matter doesn’t hold the audience’s attention. Not so with “Criminal Minds,” a character-driven show that pays attention to how characters are affected by such a dangerous and psychologically straining job.
» Whom to watch for: After the abrupt departure of actor Mandy Patinkin from the cast last season, Joe Mantegna stepped in midseason to play Agent David Rossi, and during this season Mantegna has not only given Rossi complexity, his performance may leave many viewers asking, “Mandy who?”
The ’67 Impala is back
‘Supernatural’
9 p.m., CW, Thursdays
Returns: Thursday
» What you need to know: Four months after being dragged into hell, Dean is rescued by the angel Castiel, who says God has a mission for Dean: stop the demon Lilith from setting Lucifer free by breaking the 66 seals. Dean learns that during his absence, Sam has been using his powers to exorcise demons, which worries Dean.
» Why your should watch: Now in its fourth season, “Supernatural” has managed to give fans heart-wrenching moments and exhilarating cliff-hangers. Creator Eric Kripke really takes care of fans, paying attention to what they enjoy watching and delivering creative story lines with a wink.
» Whom to watch for: This season is all about Jensen Ackles, who has really stepped up his performance of Dean, giving him new levels of emotion and intensity.
The end of an era
‘CSI’
9 p.m., CBS, Thursdays
Returns: Thursday
» What you need to know: Season nine started with heartbreak and disaster for the CSI team. Warrick dies in Grissom’s arms, killed by Sheriff McKean to cover up a murder. Sara returns upon hearing of Warrick’s death, but continues to battle personal demons and leaves again. When a new victim emerges in a long-closed case, Grissom turns to Dr. Raymond Langston, a criminal pathologist, to help catch the killer, and he announces that he plans to leave CSI.
» Why you should watch: Those who haven’t jumped on the “CSI” bandwagon by now have a unique opportunity. With the departure of William Petersen, the show starts fresh with a new lead character. Those interested in “CSI” may consider Laurence Fishburne’s addition as a way of investigating this show without rushing through eight years of TV.
» Whom to watch for: It really is the end of an era. Gary Dourdan and Petersen are leaving, but what better actor to get to join the ranks of prime time than Fishburne?
Body language
‘Bones’
Moving to 8 p.m., FOX, Thursdays
» Returns: Thursday
» What you need to know: Zack is in an institution after being revealed as the serial killer Gormogon’s apprentice, and Agent Seeley Booth and Dr. Temperance Brennan are back at what they do best: witty banter and skeletons. Things are awkward around the lab after Hodgins and Angela break off their engagement, and Angela reconnects with her bisexual roots and with an old girlfriend.
» Why you should watch: “Bones” is gaining momentum as audiences finally discover all the charms the forensic crime dramedy has to offer. With the departure of Zack as Brennan’s assistant, the revolving cast of replacements offers some of the best punch lines.
» Whom to watch for: David Boreanaz as Booth and Emily Deschanel as Brennan really sizzle this season as the producers continue to dance around the prospect of them being more than just friends. Also on the radar is John Francis Daley’s FBI psychologist Dr. Sweets, who has become the conscience and voice of the group, and the go-to guy for everyone’s ails.
The last Cylon
‘Battlestar Galactica’
10 p.m., SCI FI, Fridays
Returns: Friday
» What you need to know: Sit down, this gets complicated. We begin with Starbuck mysteriously returning alive and well after the events at the end of season three, in which Lee witnesses her Viper exploding. She insists she knows the way to the mythical Earth, and Admiral Adama gives her command of a crew to search for it. Meanwhile, there is dissension among Cylons, with the Eights, Sixes and Twos siding with the humans. Roslin, whose cancer has returned, begins to have visions that connect her to the Cylon hybrid, believed to be the precursor to the humanoid Cylons. These visions allow Roslin to act on a plan to destroy the resurrection technology, keeping the humanoid Cylons from reactivating in new bodies and rendering them mortal. The crew finds out Tyrol, Tigh, Foster and Anders are four of the five remaining Cylons after Cylon Three takes the basestar hostage and leverages passengers, including Roslin, for their identities. When they are reunited after the crisis, Roslin confesses her love to Adama, and he reciprocates. Cylon Three and Lee become allies to find Earth, which they do, only to find it a radioactive wasteland in the middle of a nuclear winter.
» Why you should watch: The groundbreaking “reimagining” of the campy 1970s show took a sharp turn into a dark, intense world of war and the survival of the human race when it debuted in 2005. There is nothing quite like “BSG ” in its ability to leave audiences on the edge of their seats. If you haven’t been watching “BSG” until now, clearly there is a lot to watch before Friday. What are you waiting for?
» Whom to watch for: Edward James Olmos’ Admiral Bill Adama is still one of the most riveting characters on television, a consummate leader who has lost a great deal to war but cannot bear to quit fighting. Olmos gives weight to the relationship he has with his son, Lee, and Starbuck, the daughter he never had.
New show alert
‘The United States of Tara’
10 p.m., Showtime, Sundays
Debuts: Sunday
» What you need to know: Toni Collette stars as Tara, who has dissociative identity disorder and decides to stop taking her medication. As a result, she changes into one of three other personalities whenever life gets a little too stressful. There’s Alice, the 1950s-style housewife who bakes and cleans; T, a flirty teen who is prone to using her underwear as outerwear; and Buck, the only male personality, who is a beer-swilling biker. Also coping with the changes are Tara’s husband, Max, two children, Marshall and Kate, and sister, Charmaine.
» Why you should watch: Showtime’s churning out hit after hit, and this quirky dark comedy is an intriguing addition to the lineup. The madness is what makes this show fun. Tara’s not crazy — she just copes with life’s troubles in a radically different way from most individuals.
» Whom to watch for: Collette has the challenge of not only fleshing out one character on screen — three of her friends are also along for the ride. No stranger to comedy, Collette proves she can sustain the laughs without the show going off the rails.
