Another week is here, and at long last, a lot of fall TV is back. ABC, NBC, and FOX are all packed with new shows. CBS remains to air reruns throughout, so we’re just putting a blanket “you can skip for now” until the shows return.
As for the rest of the week, things can be a little overwhelming with so much back and so much to watch. That’s why we look at the shows to skip and watch, highlighting some of the important episodes, such as premieres, especially for scripted shows.
When we do say to “skip” a show, we don’t mean never to watch it at all. A lot of these shows are easily accessible on streaming networks, and in one case, the show is available in full on Peacock already!
What to watch: Brilliant Minds
We start with the second season premiere of Brilliant Minds. This is a must for medical drama fans who want something a little more human. Zachary Quinto plays a very different type of doctor, who sees the patient before the symptom, and this helps him get to the bottom of tricky conditions.
Brilliant Minds season 2 promises to pick up off the back of some major reveals and decisions at the end of season 1. Dr. Wolf has learned that his dad didn’t die after all, and everyone lied to him, including his mom. Meanwhile, Dr. Pierce needs to decide what to do with her career after being suspended due to an investigation into her decision to treat her husband’s affair partner.
Brilliant Minds airs Monday at 10/9c on NBC.
What to watch: Murder in a Small Town
Tuesday night is packed this week, and there’s plenty to watch live. Start off with Murder in a Small Town season 2. Karl Alberg is back, proving that he is a brilliant detective and someone the small town needs. Of course, the more you prove you’re needed, the more work you get given, and that’s the case here.
Karl’s jurisdiction is going to expand, and that means more cases and more work. Meanwhile, Cassandra is now on the council, and that means she could find herself pitted against her love, or finding a way for everyone to work together.
Murder in a Small Town season 2 premieres on Tuesday at 8/7c on FOX.
What to watch: Doc
Another sophomore series premiering this week is Doc, and again, it’s great for medical drama fans who want something different. This asks us to consider if people can really change for the better, as Dr. Amy Morton suffers a car accident that causes her to lose her memories of the last eight years. She’s no longer the horrible boss, but she has to learn everything all over again.
The second season picks up off the back of Richard being exposed as a liar and a liability. Now there’s a new chief in, and it’s not Amy getting her position back. Could this lead to Amy losing her job, especially as she looks for a way to get her memories back?
Doc season 2 premieres on Tuesday at 9/8c on FOX.
What to skip: Dancing with the Stars
Our first skip suggestion is Dancing with the Stars. This is a lot of fun, but it’s not something you arguably need to watch live. After all, there are plenty who will watch live, and the Hulu views count. In fact, Hulu airs the show simultaneously!
You can check out the episode on Hulu after you’ve gone through the whole night of scripted drama across TV. The dancing will be worth the wait.
What to watch: High Potential
A new episode of High Potential airs this week, and you won’t want to miss this one. At the end of the season 2 premiere, the Game Master turned himself in. Of course, this means he has a bigger plan up his sleeve, as he knows that he’ll be able to get out freely.
Meanwhile, Oz and Daphne may or may not have found Roman. It’s time to learn who Mekhi Phifer’s mystery character is and see just how long it takes to find the real Roman and get some answers to solve that mystery. It can’t be over already!
High Potential airs Tuesday at 10/9c on ABC.
What to watch: Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent
If you love Law & Order, you’ll want to check out the newest show in the franchise. This one follows the law and justice systems in Canada, which has some very different standards. For example, there are no Miranda Rights in Canada!
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent follows the cops into some dark and twisty cases. The entire first two seasons have already aired in Canada to positive reviews, so you’ll want to watch on The CW (yes, The CW, oddly enough) to see what the hype is all about.
Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent airs Wednesday at 8/7c on The CW.
What to skip: America’s Got Talent
Look, I love watching reality TV as much as the next person. It’s great to see just how talented people are, and what they think can entertain and what actually does. But, there is so much else on the TV right now. So, America’s Got Talent is on our skip suggestions.
The new season is sure to start up with a lot of entertaining—some good, and some bad—acts. However, you can watch it all on Peacock the following day, which is a great way to catch up. It’s a little harder to watch CW shows the next day, as you have to watch with ads.
What to watch: Law & Order
NBC has Thursday nights covered, with Law & Order season 25 kicking things off this week. We’ll pick up to find out why Jalen Shaw is no longer with the team. Mehcad Brooks left the series during the middle of the hiatus, which usually means that we’ll only get a one-liner for an exit story.
What’s interesting is that Riley won’t immediately get a new partner. Instead, we’ll see him working alone for at least a few weeks, as casting hasn’t even started on a new partner. It makes the exit even more intriguing.
Law & Order airs Thursday at 8/7c on NBC.
What to watch: Law & Order: SVU
Next up is Law & Order: SVU, which returns for season 27. There are a few changes coming, with a couple of characters out and one back. Yes, Kelli Giddish is returning as Amanda Rollins full-time, and it’s about time. Her exit was one of the worst decisions of the show, especially as she kept coming back.
We are worried about one of our favorites in the series. Ice T has hinted that his character could face something dangerous this season, so don’t miss the premiere in case it’s in that episode!
Law & Order: SVU airs Thursday at 9/8c on NBC.
What to skip: Law & Order: Organized Crime
You can go to bed early on Thursday night. There’s no need to stay up and watch Law & Order: Organized Crime live. While season 5 is great and it’s fun having Law & Order Thursdays back, the season has already aired on Peacock.
You can watch the premiere any time you want. The entire fifth season has streamed on the platform, so don’t feel bad for skipping this one on the network.