1) “The Simpsons,” 7 and 8 p.m., Fox. Most years, this is the night for a new “Treehouse of Horrors” (an example is shown here),with witty and/or gruesome tales. But this year’s episode – two OK stories and then a gem – is delayed until next week. Instead, we get reruns of last year’s “Treehouse” (including a charming anime tale) and “Bob’s Burgers” (ominous orchard trip) at 7 and 7:30. Then a new “Simpsons” has a “documentary” about Mr. Burns and a young woman’s start-up scheme.
2) “Billions” series finale, 8 p.m., Showtime. A brilliantly written series ends with the world at stake. This started with two immovable forces – a prosecutor (Paul Giametti) and a billionaire (Damian Lewis) – at war. But now they’ve linked to fight a bigger enemy – Mike Prince, a politician with endless ambition and no beliefs or standards. As last week ended, Prince secured a key running mate; now there’s one last chance to stop him.
3) “Fellow Travelers” debut (Showtime) or “Gilded Age” season-opener (HBO), 9 p.m. Showtime follows “Billions” with an eight-part series, tracing lovers (Matt Bomer and Tim Laughlin) for decades, from McCarthyism to AIDS. And HBO has a spectacular start: On Easter Sunday in 1883, the elite stroll to church in splendor. As he did with “Downton Abbey,” writer Julian Fellowes blends grandeur and rich drama; now that’s spiced by an “opera war.”
4) “Hotel Portofino,” 8 p.m., PBS. This episode is at its best during its final minutes. Lucian (an earnest lad who married a wealthy woman to save his mother’s hotel) and Constance (the maid he loves) rush to save his friend; the rescue, and its aftermath, provide great drama. That’s followed by “World on Fire” (danger for Stan and Rajib in the desert and David in the Franch sky) and “Annika” (a billionaire is found dead in his own shark tank).
5) “Heartland” season-finale, 7 and 8 p.m. ET, UpTV. Starting next week, this Sunday spot will go to new Christmas movies, surrounded by ones from the past. (If you need one now, “Joyeux Noel,” set in a French village, debuts at 8 p.m. on Hallmark.) First, however, is the two-part wrap of the 16th season of a warm Canadian show. The final hour is eventful, with things found (a horse, a will), recommitted (a romance) and examined (a 50-year feud).
— Mike Hughes, TV America