Gritty ‘Last Panthers’ debuts on Sundance
Having scored with “The Returned,” Sundance offers viewers another acclaimed European import. Gritty, slow-to-build, ruminative and audaciously bleak, “The Last Panthers” (9 p.m.) is not for everybody. But fans of “The Killing,” “The Fall” and even “Broadchurch” should take a look.
This six-part European production begins with a bold and brutal Marseilles jewel heist that unfolds with rather violent choreography giving way to chaos. A wayward bullet claims an innocent girl, garnering way too much attention. Suddenly, the buyer for the gems wants nothing to do with the Panthers, a Balkan gang named halfjokingly after “The Pink Panther” movies.
The botched robbery sends Panthers in several directions. Jewel thief Milan (Goran Bogdan) and his hapless gang retreat from one mobbed-up Eastern European junkyard to another, trying to unload the hot rocks. The jewelry store’s insurance company sends adjuster Naomi Frankcom (Samantha Morton) to retrieve the valuables in order to avoid paying a $12 million claim.
Khalil (Tahar Rahim), a French-Algerian policeman, pursues the thieves by tracking their gun purchases in Marseilles. Look for John Hurt as the dissipated and cynical head of the insurance company.
In addition to being long and a tad deliberative, “Panthers” comes up a little short in the heroes and villains department. At one point, Frankcom flashes back to her experience as a U.N. peacekeeper in the Balkan Wars of the 1990s. That’s entirely too appropriate. Not unlike those conflicts, “Panthers” is a baffling, bloody, hard-to-follow saga without obvious rooting interests. Some viewers may see its enigmatic nature as a challenge.
Don’t confuse “STRONG” (8 p.m., WMCTV Channel 5) with “The Biggest Loser.” This isn’t just about weight loss. According to the network, the 10 contestants on this 10-episode series are on a “transformative journey.” Aren’t we all?
Fitness expert Gabrielle Reece hosts this showcase for tests of strength, endurance and mental stamina. Participants will compete in pairs, facing elimination in every episode and vying for cash prizes. “STRONG” debuts tonight, before joining NBC’s Thursday night schedule — a lineup that is anything but.
“NOVA” (8 p.m., WKNO-TV Channel 10) poses a question on many people’s minds. “Can Alzheimer’s Be Stopped?” looks at a disease that has struck as many as 40 million worldwide, affecting tens of millions of loved ones and caregivers. We meet whole families ravaged by their genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s, as well as patients participating in clinical trials, testing therapies that may slow and even arrest the disease.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
Live results on “The Voice” (7 p.m., WMC-TV Channel 5).
Psychological warfare on “Survivor” (7 p.m., WREG-TV Channel 3).
Frankie finds Sue’s politically ardent new beau overbearing on “The Middle” (7 p.m., WATNTV Channel 24).
“Nature” (7 p.m., WKNO-TV Channel 10) explores how India’s population of wild lions coexists with encroaching human neighbors.
Lucious mines his worst memories for inspiration on “Empire” (7 p.m., WHBQ-TV Channel 13).
Jay can’t admit a mistake to Gloria on “Modern Family” (8 p.m., WATNTV Channel 24).
The Exes navigate fame on the road on “Nashville” (9 p.m., WATN-TV Channel 24).
Philip re-evaluates his life with Martha on “The Americans” (9 p.m., FX).