Unlikely ally steps in
The TV universe is constantly expanding, and new channels and shows vie for attention just as much as old favourites. Here are the best bets on the box.
Reign
Though Francis (Toby Regbo) is operating at reduced ability, Mary (Adelaide Kane) tries to keep him stable enough to thwart the newly returned King Antoine’s (guest star Ben Aldridge) plans, in the new episode Extreme Measures. They find they need additional help, which they secure from a surprising source. Megan Fellows and Craig Parker also star. (E Canada)
Firsthand
Filmmaker Helen Slinger wrote and directed Hold Your Fire, an illuminating documentary that examines tragic incidents in which police officers shot citizens who were mentally ill or otherwise in crisis. It’s a growing problem that’s aggravated by ever-widening income inequality in North America, as well as sharp reductions in social support programs. (CBC)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Rebecca (Rachel Bloom, who also wrote the script with fellow executive producer Aline Brosh McKenna) encounters a big hurdle to her plan to win Josh (Vincent Rodriguez III) back, in the new episode Josh’s Girlfriend Is Really Cool! Indeed, there’s another woman in his life, a yoga instructor (guest star Gabrielle Ruiz) who quickly becomes the new object of Rebecca’s ... well, obsession. Donna Lynne Champlin, Santino Fontana and Pete Gardner also star. (Global)
Bones
This series might not seem the likeliest place to find Betty White, but when you consider all she’s done over the course of her long career, it’s not that unusual. The iconic entertainer guest stars in the new episode The Carpals in the Coy-Wolves, playing another forensic anthropologist who teams with Brennan (Emily Deschanel) to probe the bizarre death of a real-estate agent. The victim’s yen for fantasy football yields clues — and to that end, Ronde Barber also is a guest star here. (Fox)
The Nature of Things
Filmmaker Bryce Sage travels from Washington, D.C., to San Francisco to explore the science behind vitamins and the nutritional value of supplements in the new episode The Curious Case of Vitamins and Me. Why do we really need vitamins from external sources? Are the supplements sold in health stores and supermarkets actually worth the price? (CBC)
The Vampire Diaries
Damon, Bonnie and Alaric (Ian Somerhalder, Kat Graham, Matt Davis) unite to find a means of opposing Lily (Annie Wersching) effectively, in the new episode Age of Innocence. On the side, Alaric asks for Bonnie’s help with something else. Lily informs Stefan (Paul Wesley) about certain aspects of his past. Held hostage, Caroline (Candice Accola) also learns some startling information from her captors. (WGN, WPIX, CTV Two)