Weekend Preview: The One Who Knocks Has Come A’ Knockin’

Breaking Bad (AMC, Sunday) — The best show on television returns on Sunday night, and so far, all the reviews of the first episode have been glowing (it was an unheard of 100 percent on Metacritic). My favorite piece, however, is an academic one, comparing Breaking Bad to The Wire and making this assessment: “In Breaking Bad the villain is not sociology, but a human being; what destroys the mortals is not a system, but a fellow mortal. This is a human-centered vision of the origin of evil. It is Old Testament at its core.” That is heavy.

Political Animals (USA Network, Sunday) — The six part mini-series kicks off on Sunday, and I saw somewhere that it was being described as a cross between The West Wing and Dallas. I’d be iffy on it if it weren’t for Carla Gugino (and Sigourney Weaver), which makes this a must sample. On Monday.

Newsroom (HBO, Sunday) — Suddenly, a relatively easy Sunday night for television watchers these last few weeks is jam packed again. I need to do some research into why it is that programmers insist on scheduling all these great shows against each other on Sunday nights. There are other nights of the week, you know?

The Ricky Gervais Show (HBO, Friday) — After three seasons, the final episode airs tonight, and somehow, I managed to avoid seeing this show over the entire course of its run (although, I’m familiar with Karl from the podcast). Tonight, Stephen reads selections from Karl’s diary, which is surprising only in the fact that Karl has a diary. And can actually write.

Comedy Bang! Bang! (IFC, Friday) — Paul Rudd is on. He will almost certain dance. WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW?

Weeds (Showtime, Sunday) — Nancy’s head injury has made her a changed woman. All of a sudden, she’s a decent human being. I don’t see it lasting more than three episodes.