The Week’s guide to what’s worth watching
His Dark Materials
The third and final season of the BBC/HBO series adaptation of Philip Pullman’s esteemed fantasy novels opens with a pair of hourlong episodes. Young Lyra Belacqua, prophesied to be the second Eve, has been targeted for death by the Magisterium, whose members believe that eliminating her will prevent humanity’s second fall. Lyra’s friend Will goes in search of her in a season that will also see Lyra’s father lead his rebel army against the authoritarian theocracy. Dafne Keen, Amir Wilson, James McAvoy, and Ruth Wilson co-star. Monday, Dec. 5, at 9 p.m., HBO
Connect
This mind-bending six-part series from Japanese director Takashi Miike may be the least familyfriendly thing yet to arrive on Disney+. Made in South Korea, Connect follows an immortal humanoid who escapes from organ harvesters after they’ve taken one of his eyes. But he discovers once it’s implanted in a serial killer that he can still see with it, and he makes it his mission to take down the killer and retrieve what’s his. Available Wednesday, Dec. 7, Disney+
Retrograde
It’s hard to reconcile the abrupt ending of the 20-year U.S. war in Afghanistan with all that was poured into it. This powerful documentary from director Matthew Heineman puts viewers on the ground during the final nine months before the U.S. withdrawal to see the unfolding tragedy through the eyes of the last in-country Green Berets, a conflicted Afghan general, and citizens facing an inevitable Taliban takeover. Thursday, Dec. 8, at 9 p.m., National Geographic
Little America
Get ready for another round of American dreams. The second season of this acclaimed series from CODA director Siân Heder dramatizes eight new immigrant stories drawn from real accounts. One episode features a young Sri Lankan woman in Texas who enters a marathon car-kissing contest. Others focus on a Korean medical student whose true talent is hat design and a Somali chef who’s determined to make his mark at the Minnesota State Fair. Available Friday, Dec. 9, AppleTV+
Money Heist: Korea Joint Economic Area
The Korean version of Money Heist returns after a monthslong break with its six-part Season 1 conclusion. A spectacular heist that has captured the attention of a unified Korea is now spinning toward a climax, with a team of code-named thieves having taken hostages inside the national mint. Whatever happens next won’t be a carbon copy of the Spanish Money Heist that spawned the franchise. Available Friday, Dec. 9, Netflix
Other highlights
2022 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals
If you didn’t catch World Cup fever in the earlier rounds, you may want to tune in to track the fates of the final eight squads. The quarterfinal matches begin at the same hours on consecutive days. Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fox/Telemundo and Peacock
Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio
Del Toro’s well-received animated take on the classic tale of the wooden boy makes its streaming debut. Available Friday, Dec. 9, Netflix
2022 National Christmas Tree Lighting
A Washington tradition will hit the century mark when the president and first lady light this year’s Christmas tree on the National Mall. Performers will include Shania Twain, LL Cool J, and Joss Stone. Sunday, Dec. 11, CBS