A look at a few programs to check on this week

Eventually, he stumbles onto the ranch of the widow Alice Fletcher (Michelle Dockery), and her son. They live outside the town of La Belle. almost entirely populated by women since a mining accident had wiped out all of the men. Eventually, this will lead to the most-Western trope of a showdown. Actually, “Godless” — written and directed by Scott Frank with Steven Soderbergh as an executive producer — has a couple of doozies. It’s also got a first-rate cast. Dockery, O’Connell, and Daniels all shine as does Merritt Wever as a no-nonsense leader in La Belle, Scoot McNairy as the nearsighted sheriff and Sam Waterston as a lawman. While the series has plenty of action — and feel free to discuss the title after you see it — there is also grace. It sucks you in with novelistic detail, so a moment in which a boy is learning to ride is both moving and as tense as a gunfight.

This week

95th Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting from President’s Park: (7 p.m. today on Hallmark Channel) President Donald J. Trump, first lady Melania Trump and members of the first family will help ring in the holiday season by lighting the tree at the 95th annual National Christmas Tree Lighting. Craig Ferguson — Tickle Fight: (Available Tuesday on Netflix) The comedian and Emmy-winning television host brings his quick wit and offbeat humor to the stage as he returns with his second Netflix original one-hour stand-up special. Performing before a packed house in Montreal, Ferguson tackles topics including the challenges of growing a beard, his love of hating magicians, coming of age in the ‘70s, social media angst and sharing what he believes to be the oldest joke in the world. Dian Fossey — Secrets in the Mist: (9 p.m. Wednesday on National Geographic Channel) Culled from over 40 hours of rare archival footage, this three-part special allows the pioneer researcher to narrate her own tale, with excerpts from Fossey’s writings read by Sigourney Weaver, who played her in the film “Gorillas in the Mist.” Shut Eye: (Available Wednesday on Hulu) Aasif Mandvi will have a recurring role in this second season of the drama about a scam artist (Jeffrey Donovan) who believes he may be actually psychic and the dangerous complications in his life. 32 Pills — My Sister’s Suicide: (8 p.m. Thursday on HBO) Both a celebration of art and an unvarnished exploration of mental illness, Hope Litoff’s directorial debut tells the powerful story of one sister struggling to know and accept the other in a way she was never able to in life, even as she learns to live with the pain of loss. The Great American Baking Show: (9 p.m. Thursday on ABC) Reality competition returns for its third season. A Very Discovery Christmas: (9 p.m. Thursday on Discovery) In this special, Discovery TV families share their beloved Christmas traditions.

Top Chef: (10 p.m. Thursday on Bravo) Reality competition returns for its 15th season. The Crown: (Available Friday on Netflix) Season 2,with Claire Foy playing the queen, adds Michael C. Hall (playing JFK), Jodi Balfour and Matthew Goode to the cast. El Camino Christmas: (Available Friday on Netflix) Written by Ted Melfi (“Hidden Figures”) and Christopher Wehner, this darkly comedic Netflix original holiday film is about five strangers who wind up barricaded inside a liquor store on Christmas Eve. It stars Vincent D’Onofrio, Jessica Alba, Luke Grimes, Tim Allen and Dax Shepard. The Grand Tour: (Available Friday on Amazon) Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May reunite for the second season of the “Top Gear”-style reality show. Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Awards: (8 p.m. Friday on NBCSN) The magazine’s top honors will be broadcast nationally for the first time.