‘Watchmen’ makes a mind-blowing debut
Also, ‘The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror’ episode, and the World Series begins
DON’T MISS >> “Watchmen” — Writer-producer Damon Lindelof (“Lost,” “The Leftovers”) takes another big, bold creative swing. Here he reimagines and updates an acclaimed graphic novel in a way that might tick off some diehard fans, but promises to be a mindblowing piece of television. His complex saga takes place some 30 years after the events of the comic book and is set in an alternate America where Robert Redford is president (Yes, really!) and police officers (including Regina King and Don Johnson) wear masks to hide their identities amid a raging threat from white supremacists. (9 p.m. tonight, HBO).
Other bets
TONIGHT >> Brace yourself. “The Simpsons” serves up its 30th “Treehouse of Horror” episode. It features a demon Maggie, a mission to rescue Milhouse from another dimension, dead homer’s spirit trying on some new bodies for size and Selma finally finding romance with, of all things, an alien. (8 p.m., Fox).
MONDAY >> The ever-magnetic Helen Mirren plays the title character in “Catherine the Great.” It’s a sweeping, four-part miniseries that follows the intelligent, resourceful and utterly determined 18th-century monarch who ruled the Russian empire and transformed its place in the world. (10 p.m., HBO).
TUESDAY >> Break out the peanuts and Cracker Jack. The 115th edition of the World Series begins tonight as the American League and National League champions square off to determine who gets to soak their clubhouse in Champagne. (5 p.m. Fox).
TUESDAY >> Will this be the year poor Linus finally receives a visit from his Halloween hero in “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”? We can still hold out hope, can’t we? (8 p.m., ABC).
WEDNESDAY >> Things take a dangerous turn on “Riverdale” when Betty and Charles track down Edgar and his Farmies. Also, Archie and Veronica hold a car wash fundraiser at Pop’s to raise money for the community center. (8 p.m., The CW).
THURSDAY >> On “Evil,” it’s Halloween night and Kristen and David are sent to assess an exorcism. But once they analyze the situation, they find themselves at odds while trying to determine whether it is a demonic possession, or severe mental disease escalated by physical and mental distress. (10 p.m., CBS).
FRIDAY >> In Season 2 of “The Kominsky Method,” Sandy meets and bonds with his daughter’s new boyfriend (Paul Reiser), who is uncomfortably close to Sandy’s age. Meanwhile, Norman reconnects with an old flame from his youth (Jane Seymour) and, after 50 years, they decide to start again. (Netflix).
FRIDAY >> It’s Halloween on “Hawaii Five-0” and the team is called on to investigates a home invasion turned deadly after a dangerous “monster” escapes from the basement. (8 p.m., CBS).
SATURDAY >> Christmas seems to come earlier every year, especially on TV. Tonight offers a time-slot cage match between two holiday movies: “Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses” (8 p.m., Hallmark) and “The Road Home for Christmas” (8 p.m., Lifetime). We sense the start of a seasonal drinking game.