1) “The Chosen” season-opener, 8 p.m., CW. Already a hit online, this series adds a broadcast network for its fourth (of seven) eight episode season. “Chosen” (shown here) traces Jesus and the people nearby; any stiffness in the dialog is redeemed by skilled filming (in Texas and Utah) and acting. Tonight includes the death of John the Baptist.
2) “Snowpiercer,” 9 p.m., AMC, rerunning at 10:07. A pivotal hour is stuffed with huge moments. Villains are slain and a new one emerges. Melanie returns, unaware of the death of her loved one (Ben) and the crises of her daughter. Epic characters collide, with the world at risk.
3) “Hotel Portofino,” 8 p.m., PBS. Beneath its elegant surface, this has been awash in soap opera and melodrama. Now the latter prevails. Cecil tries to destroy his nemesis, others try tp unearth a late friend’s body. Things crumble in brash and senseless ways.
4) “The Great North,” 9:30 p.m., Fox. Amid a sea of reruns, this is a new episode, with a mysterious, cloaked figure buying Judy’s art. That’s on a busy night for cartoon reruns. “Simpsons” is on FXX from 4-8 p.m. and 9-10 p.m. and on Fox at 8. “Monsters” movies are 7:15 and 9:20 on Freeform; “Lightyear” is 8 on Disney.
5) Football, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC. Next Sunday, the pros take over, including NBC’s primetime game. For now, a college game fills in; Louisiana State (ranked No. 13) faces Southern Calfornia (No. 23).
— Mike Hughes, TV America