1) “Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts,” 10 p.m., PBS. In their 85-year history, the all-Black units (dubbed “buffalo soldiers”) saw extremes. They were a symbol of freedom – guarding the transcontinental railroad, being the first park rangers at Yosemite (shown here), fighting in world wars. Still, this film says, they also fought against freedom – in Cuba, Mexico, the Philippines … and at home, in the “Indian Wars” and suppressing striking miners in Idaho.
2) Basketball finals, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC, with preview at 8. After two games in Miami, this best-of-seven series returns to Denver for Game 5. If needed, the other games will be 8:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 p.m. Sunday.
3) “Cruel Summer,” 10 p.m., Freeform. Last week’s opener had fierce jolts; now we see aftershocks, again visiting three times: In the summer of 1999, the teens have a carefree sleepover in Luke’s cabin. That winter, people rage about the sex tape with Luke and someone (actually Megan, but Isabella took the blame). The next summer, both girls are suspects in Luke’s murder. The result is a rarity – a teen drama done with subtlety and nuance.
4) “Bob (Hearts) Abishola,” 8:30 p.m., CBS. Last week, a movie bumped all of CBS’ Monday shows. Now they’re back – “The Neighborhood,” two “NCIS” shows … and “Bob,” a rare mixture of humor and warmth. Tonight, Bob asks Tunde to help create the new sock factory; Abishola tries a party, to cheer up her mom after bad news from Nigeria.
5) ALSO: The reality-show competition for Mondays is taking form now. After a two-hour opener, NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior” (8 p.m.) shrinks to an hour, leaving room for “The Wall” and “Weakest Link”; that collides with Fox’s shows – “Stars on Mars” (tonight with a water crisis) at 8 p.m. and “Crime Scene Kitchen” at 9.
— Mike Hughes, TV America