Tuning in: On TV this week.
Monday Jan. 3
Medium (NBC, 10-11 p.m.) Patricia Arquette stars in a new police thriller with a psychic twist. The plot requires suspension of disbelief, but outlandish as it might be, the writing is taut and Ms. Arquette's performance is inventive. She plays a young mother whose ambition to become a lawyer is thwarted by her ability to "see" into criminal activity. Creepy, but intriguing.
The True Story of Hannibal (The History Channel, 8-10 p.m.) He was the man who defied ancient Roman might and dealt the imperialists their toughest blows. This visually dull but otherwise engrossing documentary lays out the Carthaginian general's battle tactics in the assault on Rome (218-202 BC).
Committed (NBC, 9:30-10 p.m.) The season première of this offbeat, intermittently delightful situation comedy takes goofy eccentricity seriously - as the basis for love and understanding. Nate (Josh Cooke) may be gifted, but he is wound way too tight. And while he has given up a stellar academic career to work in a vintage record store, he has not given up on love. Enter the charming Jennifer Finnigan as Marni, a relentlessly optimistic young woman who sees the best in everyone - including Nate.
Alias (ABC, 9-11 p.m.) The fourth season finds Sydney (Jennifer Garner) inducted into a new clandestine arm of the CIA - run by her arch- enemy Arvin Sloane. As they attempt to break into yet another terrorist cell, Sydney rekindles her love affair with her handler Michael Vaughn, reestablishes contact with her sister, and discovers that her Dad is more than he seems - again. It's preposterous fun for spy fans.
