There's some big things happening with sci-fi, action and paranormal TV this week as Chuck directs Chuck, Jack has another tough day on 24, the boys of Big Bang Theory battle it out for the title of Lord of the Rings, Ben faces his own mortality on Lost, Chance hooks up with an old flame on Human Target, Mr. Yang returns with a little Hitchcockian flair on the Psych season finale, Patrick Jane faces a super virus on The Mentalist, Allison visits the past on Medium, Zoe makes a romantic connection on Caprica, and Syfy goes all Dinoshark on us.
Here's what we have to look forward to on sci-fi, action and paranormal TV this week.
Star Zachary Levi directs!
In his first outing as a Chuck director, star Zachary Levi delves into Chuck's performance troubles ... well, okay, he's having trouble "flashing," and so Shaw benches him and takes away his spy stripes until he gets his flash back on in "Chuck Versus the Beard." And Chuck's cover could be blown. Brandon Routh recurs as Daniel Shaw.
"Next week's episode, episode 9, is a huge game-changing episode in the Chuck world," said executive producer and co-creator Chris Fedak. "It was directed by Zach Levi. It is his first time directing. He did an awesome job. We were also excited 'cause it was such an important episode. I'll just play it this way ... after episode nine the show will never be the same. He did a wonderful, wonderful job. It is truly cataclysmic stuff, and I think it speaks to what we're doing on the show this season, which is we're testing the bounds of the shows. Nothing is safe, no one is safe in the world of Chuck, and every episode has something big and huge happening in it."
24 (Fox) 9 p.m.—"Day 8: 2:00 AM - 3:00 AM"
Jack deals with a suicide bomber, a key person at CTU is demoted and has to deal with what that means, and Stephen Root shows up as an annoying parole officer in Jack's latest tense hour. Oh, Jack, it's going to be one long night.
The Big Bang Theory (CBS) 9:30 p.m.—"The Precious Fragmentation"
It's Lord of the Rings time when the guys find a ring from the movie at a garage sale and find themselves drawn to the movie power of the ring in "The Precious Fragmentation."
Ben may die!
Ben has to deal with the consequences of a lie in "Dr. Linus." Alan Dale guest-stars as Charles Widmore.
Here's a couple of sneak peeks for "Dr. Linus":
Chance is back!
It's a South American adventure when Chase comes to the rescue of an archaeologist (Kris Marshall) on the run from the South American army and a bounty hunter in "Salvage & Reclamation." Luckily, he takes some time out for a fiery former flame (Leonor Varela).
Ghost Hunters (Syfy) 9 p.m.—"Fort Ticonderoga"
The ghost hunters head to New York and the 18th-century French-built "Fort Ticonderoga," to take on three sets of Revolutionary War ghosts. The fort staff reports apparitions, disembodied English/French conversations and the sounds of infantry.
Psych (USA) 10 p.m.—"Mr. Yin Presents ... "
Season finale goes Hitchcock!
Mr. Yang returns as promised for the show's season finale, "Mr. Yin Presents ... " with deadly plans for Shawn and the gang that involve clues by way of classic Hitchcock movies. Ally Sheedy guest-stars.
Here's a couple of Sneak Peeks:
And other Wednesday shows of interest
In History's Monster Quest (9 p.m.), the investigation takes on reports of a creature resembling a human in Flatwoods, W.Va., in "Lizard Monster." And on SOAPnet's Being Erica (10 p.m.), Erica finds Ethan in a compromising position in "Under My Thumb."
Patrick Jane versus the super virus!
With the Thursday shows still in reruns or on break, The Mentalist manages some sci (as in science) as it takes Jane and his crew into the world of a government scientist who's been poisoned and has only hours to live in "Code Red." When she asks Jane to find out who poisoned her, they discover it involves an illegal super virus that could kill half the population of California if it ever got out. And you get to see Lisbon punch out Jane.
And other Thursday shows of interest
In FX's Archer (10 p.m.), Archer leaves ISIS to take a better-paying job at rival spy agency ODIN, but Malory is determined to get him back. Jeffrey Tambor guest voices in "Job Offer."
Melinda attempts to rescue a child ghost that's been trapped by dark forces in a house for years in "Old Sins Cast Long Shadows." However, things do not go exactly as planned.
Medium (CBS) 9 p.m.—"Allison Rolen Got Married"
We go back to where it all began to see what happened when Allison and Joe got married and Allison had to deal with the fact that her life wasn't going to be exactly normal in "Allison Rolen Got Married."
Caprica (Syfy) 9 p.m.—"The Imperfections of Memory"
Joseph compels Heracles to help him find Tamara by navigating the wild V-World's New Cap City in "The Imperfections of Memory." Amanda has troubling visions of her dead brother, which leads Clarice to see an opportunity. And a romantic connection interferes with Zoe's plans to escape the Graystone lab.
NUMB3RS (CBS) 10 p.m.—"Cause and Effect"
Season finale!
We don't usually cover Numb3rs, but it's looking like this might just be the end of the line for the veteran math-centric cop series. In the sixth-season finale, "Cause and Effect," there's a crime that needs to be solved involving Don's missing gun and a crime spree. But the important stuff involves Charlie and Amita heading to the altar, and Don making a major decision of his own.
Spartacus: Blood and Sand (Starz) 10 p.m.—"Mark of the Brotherhood"
Batiatus purchases a new batch of slaves and contemplates whether the injured Crixus is worth keeping or selling. Meanwhile, Ilithyia continues her devious quest to get rid of Spartacus.
When a charismatic preacher and his flock arrive at the survivors' house, Anya is suspicious. However, with a pregnant woman in their midst about to give birth, she must make a decision whether to tell everyone she's actually a doctor. Survivors has just one more episode to go in its first season, but not to worry: BBC America announced that season two will begin airing just three days after the season-one finale, but on Tuesdays instead of Saturdays. Season two also has six episodes.
Dinoshark (Syfy) 9 p.m.
You're gonna need a bigger chopper for this Syfy Saturday Night Movie!
It's a dinosaur! It's a shark! It's a dinoshark! When a prehistoric shark creature starts chomping down on the residents of a Mexican resort area, it's up to a young fishing boat captain and his friends to make it extinct. Eric Balfour stars.
What are you looking forward to watching this week?
