Discovery revs up ‘Harley and the Davidsons’
Discovery celebrates Labor Day with a miniseries about workingmen. “Harley and the Davidsons” (9 p.m., TV-14) continues in the network’s tradition of high-octane, testosterone-fueled programming — but with a twist. “Harley” is a scripted historical drama, recalling the birth of the iconic American motorcycle and the turn-of-the-20th-century era of savage competition between fledgling motorworks.
A handsome production filled with period details, “Harley” is more gee-whiz than how-to. And that’s probably a good thing. These motorcycles may be a century old, but no one has ever invented a way to depict the casting of engine parts in dramatic fashion.
As a result, the accent is on family dynamics, class resentments and hardscrabble immigrant ambition. Michiel Huisman (“Game of Thrones”) stars as Walter Davidson, an ambitious and innovative mechanic who is nonetheless dependent on Bill Harley’s (Robert Aramayo, “Game of Thrones”) engineering smarts. Bill spends much of the first installment wondering whether he should attend university and work as a hired hand for more established manufacturers, or throw in his lot with Davidson. It’s hardly a spoiler to reveal his eventual decision.
“Harley” won’t win any prizes for dialogue. A scene where a rider describes a bike as “an explosion between your legs” to a prim young woman hardly seems appropriate to the historical period. But it does speak to the miniseries’ intended audience.
A business biography with enough psychological elements to make it interesting, “Harley” celebrates that most American story, that of a business empire built out of a single garage, featuring groups of engaging guys from Milwaukee whose names would go down in history.
Parts two and three of “Harley and the Davidsons” will air on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 9 p.m.
9/11 EXAMINATION
“15 Septembers Later” (9 p.m., History, TV-PG) returns to 9/11 informed by recently declassified material and interviews with those associated with that day of terror. John Lehman, a member of the 9/11 Commission, discusses recently revealed pages linking the hijackers to “individuals connected with the Saudi government.” Interviews include President George Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
TONIGHT’S HIGHLIGHTS
Much ado about Flying Squirrel on “American Ninja Warrior” (8 p.m., NBC, TV-PG). The top four compete on a two-hour helping of “So You Think You Can Dance” (8 p.m., Fox, TV-PG).
The gang says goodbye on the series finale of “Rizzoli & Isles” (9 p.m., TNT, TV-14).
Trapped in a Chernobyl reactor on “Scorpion” (10 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
Lindsey Vonn goes “Running Wild With Bear Grylls” (10 p.m., NBC, TV-PG).
Extremists and serial killers on “Major Crimes” (10 p.m., TNT, TV-14).
On two helpings of “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS, repeat, TV-14), Valentine’s Day (8 p.m.), big news (9 p.m.).
Grains of sand on “Bachelor in Paradise” (8 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
On two helpings of “Supergirl” (CW, repeat, TV-PG), a genocidal alien (8 p.m.), evil twins (9 p.m.).
Time for expansion on “2 Broke Girls” (8:30 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
Online dating on “The Odd Couple” (9:30 p.m., CBS, repeat, TV-14).
A career reckoning for Marc on “Mistresses” (10 p.m., ABC, TV-14).
Contact Kevin McDonough at kevin.tvguy@gmail.com.