A neighbor’s visit rattles relative 2,000 miles away
Also, ‘Billions’ and ‘Good Witch’ return, while ‘Brockmire’ bids farewell
DEAR AMY >> In this time of social isolation, a neighbor just knocked on my 93-year-old aunt’s door and then entered her house. Who does that?
I was talking to her on the phone at the time, from 2,000 miles away, and my aunt put the phone down to go answer the door. I was begging her not to let anyone in. She has been isolated for six weeks at home, and even though her son (my cousin) brings her everything she needs, he does not enter her home because his wife is a health care worker.
We all call her and email her daily. We know the isolation is hard on her.
My aunt should not have let the woman in, but I could hear the neighbor talking to her. I told her forcefully to ask the woman to leave immediately, but my aunt is not very assertive. I called my cousin and asked him to go over to her house.
I do not care how well-meaning this neighbor was, she put my aunt’s life at risk.
This has upset me terribly and I know I will worry for weeks, fearing that my aunt will become sick. Am I overreacting?
Please tell people to use common sense! — Worried Niece
DEAR NIECE >> Your elderly aunt has a son who is looking in on her. You did the right thing to call him and let him know that a neighbor had stopped by, and now you have to trust that he will handle the situation with his mom.
In my view, you freaked out too forcefully when you were talking to her on the phone. This neighbor might not be in any risk group, and might have maintained a very healthy distance — not touching the doorknob, nor getting too close to your aunt.
You should continue your daily contact. Do not lecture or scold her from 2,000 miles away. Do not dwell on the dangers of this virus. Keep your contact as pleasant as possible and use this time to connect with her in ways that are positive for both of you.
Your anxiety is not as dangerous as COVID-19, but it does create stress and worry for your elderly aunt, which is not good for her.
DON’T MISS >> “Magnum P.I.” — Say “aloha” to Season 2 of the sun-drenched crime series as it doubles up with back-to-back final episodes. In the first, Magnum and Higgins are each hired by a different spouse who are in the middle of a contentious divorce to dig up dirt on the other. Awkward! In the closer, Magnum and Higgins help Rick when his father figure, Icepick (Corbin Bernsen) — just out of prison and battling terminal cancer — gets double-crossed on a final score. Also, Magnum makes one last bold move to help Higgins stay from being deported when her visa expires. (9 and 10 p.m. Friday, CBS)
Other bets
TONIGHT >> In Season 5 of “Billions,” the vicious rivalry between Bobby Axelrod and Chuck Rhoades gets reignited. Also of note: Julianna Margulies joins the fun as a recurring guest star playing an Ivy League sociology professor and bestselling author. (9 p.m., Showtime)
TONIGHT >> As Season 6 of “Good Witch” begins, Cassie and Sam prepare to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Meanwhile, Cassie welcomes Grey House guest Joy, who seems to be spying on the Merriwicks. (9 p.m., Hallmark)
MONDAY >> “George W. Bush” is the latest installment of the “American Experience” documentary series. It looks back on the life of the 43rd U.S. president and his tumultuous years in the White House.
The two-parter, concluding
Tuesday, features insights from historians, journalists and members of the president’s inner circle. (9 p.m.,
PBS)
MONDAY >> The legal drama “All Rise” becomes the first broadcast series to respond to current events with an episode that has Judge Lola Carmichael (Simone Missick) presiding over a virtual trial amid the coronavirus pandemic. The episode was produced in groundbreaking fashion for a scripted series, filmed largely on Facetime, Webex and Zoom. (9 p.m., CBS)
TUESDAY >> “Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind” is an intimate and revealing new documentary about the actress whose life and career have been overshadowed by her tragic 1981 drowning death at age 43. (9 p.m., HBO)
WEDNESDAY >> Tell him “goodbye.” After four hilarious seasons,”brockmire,” a comedy that introduced us to a boozy major league baseball announcer played by Hank Azaria, ends its run. We can only hope that, in the finale, he swings for the fences. (10 p.m., IFC)
THURSDAY >> On “Council of Dads,” Larry presents an offer to Robin that will impact the future of the Crab Shack, catching Anthony and everyone else by surprise. Meanwhile, Luly endeavors to make an impression in her writing group, digging deep into personal experiences for a piece. (8 p.m., NBC)
FRIDAY >> From “La La Land” director Damien Chazelle comes “The Eddy.” Set in modern-day Paris, it’s a music-infused drama series about a once-celebrated jazz pianist (André Holland) who now runs a struggling nightclub. (Netflix)
SATURDAY >> Fans who desperately miss “Downton Abbey” can revisit the Crawley family and their loyal servants via the 2019 big-screen film. Nearly the entire cast from the wildly popular TV series, including Maggie Smith, Michelle Dockery and Hugh Bonneville, returned for the movie, which is pegged to an impending visit by the royal family. (8 p.m., HBO)