1) “Masterpiece: Unforgotten” season-opener, 9 p.m., PBS. For three seasons, this formula has worked well: Cassie (Nicola Walker, shown here) and her police team tackle a long-ago murder. We also meet some seemingly unconnected people; over six episodes, the connection becomes clear. This time, however, is different: Emotionally battered by previous cases, Cassie wants to retire; she has to stay three more months, or forfeit her pension. The result brings deep layers of emotion and, at times, pain.
2) “Wellington Paranormal” debut, 9 and 9:30 p.m., CW. Jemaine Clement’s humor thrives when ordinary folks under-react to extraordinary events. That’s at the core of his Emmy-nominated “What We Do In the Shadows” and this show, which he co-writes and directs in his native New Zealand. Three clueless cops track supernatural events, while talking to a documentary crew. This isn’t for everyone, but many people will find it dryly, drolly hilarious.
3) “History of the Sitcom” debut, 9 and 10 p.m., ET CNN, rerunning at midnight and 1 a.m. It’s been 70 years since “I Love Lucy” showed the immense potential of situation comedies. This series offers an overview – quick and slick, with great clips and adequate insights. The first hour views changing families, from “Father Knows Best” to Roseanne knows all. The second views sex and sexuality.
4) “Animal Kingdom,” 9 p.m., TNT, rerunning at 10. Last season ended fiercely: The guys stole a million dollars in gold from their cousins; then Smurf, dying of cancer, insisted someone should kill her; her grandson J obliged. Now, 23 months later, we finally see the violent aftershocks. The episode, a good one, also makes good use of flashbacks, as the young Smurf does petty thefts with her eldest kids – Andrew (now called Pope) and Julia (J’s late mother).
5) And more. There are more drama debuts – “White Lotus,” at 9 p.m. (rerunning at 10) on HBO, the drab “Professor T,” at 10 p.m. on PBS – and lots of alternatives. CBS starts its new Sunday pattern – “Big Brother” at 8 p.m., “Love Island” from 9-11 – colliding with sharks and sports. Discovery’s eight-day “Shark Week” begins, while National Geographic’s “SharkFest” continues. ABC has the third game of the basketball finals, at 8 p.m. ET; NBC has the seventh game (if needed) of hockey at 7.