Weekend Preview: A ‘House Of Cards’ Binge, A ‘Walking Dead’ Turning Point, And Several Premieres

The Walking Dead (AMC, Sunday 9:00 p.m.) — Does Rick have reason to be hesitant as he and his family — both of blood and of bond — stand outside the gates to either Shangri-La or a bear trap? We may have some small idea after this key episode, but I wouldn’t expect a lot of action, walker killing, or confrontations this week. This is going to be a slow and steady journey toward answers.

The Last Man on Earth (FOX, Sunday 9:00-10:00 p.m.) — I’m still trying to wrap my mind around how the idea of the literal last man on earth is going to be a sustainable concept, but SNL alum and Nebraska star Will Forte is a wonderful ball of weird genius, and he and the team of Chris Miller and Phil Lord probably deserve a few episodes to see what they can do.

House of Cards (Netflix, Already Available) — Netflix has released the third season of House of Cards, and this time, they mean it. If you’re into reptilian politicians but don’t want to watch C-SPAN, trick your mind into thinking that there is a crippling blizzard outside and surrender to the binge.

Remembering Leonard Nimoy (Netflix, Already Available) — I’m pushing past my urge to marathon some of Leonard Nimoy’s best work on Star Trek right now after reading about his passing this afternoon, but I’ll fall into that pool of happy-sad later on tonight. If you’re looking to do the same thing and celebrate the man’s work, Netflix Instant has most of the bases covered with TOS, Star Trek 1-6, and some of his other work, and Syfy is running a five-hour Nimoy block on Sunday.

Saturday Night Live (NBC, Saturday 11:30 p.m.) — Dakota Johnson hosts, Alabama Shakes sings the songs, and if this world means anything, Kyle Mooney plays Christian Grey as Bruce Chandling in whatever forced Fifty Shades of Grey sketch we are given.

Bob’s Burgers (FOX, Sunday 7:30 p.m.) — Linda’s sister Gayle gets stood up, prompting the kids to fight for the right to party with their aunt at the theater. The voice of Megan Mullally guest stars.

Once Upon a Time (ABC, Sunday 8:00 p.m.) — Emma and Regina take on true evil, and Gold and Ursula get a little bit of the badness on their side, as well, thanks to Cruella De Vil in the mid-season premiere.

The Simpsons (FOX, Sunday 8:00 p.m.) — Homer guards a Nigerian princess while her father finishes a deal with Mr. Burns. Sadly, her brother, the Nigerian prince, couldn’t get anyone to lend him the money to tag along. He sent out many emails.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (FOX, Sunday 8:30 p.m.) — Charles and Gina’s parents are getting married, and Terry is stuck officiating the ceremony because he’s President Camacho, and presidents can marry people because they’re just like cruise ship captains. Got it? Good.

Secrets and Lies (ABC, Sunday 9:00-11:00 p.m.) — Ryan Phillippe and Juliette Lewis look like they’re bringing their A-game to this tense-looking murder mystery. That alone might allow it to elevate above the field of crime shows.

Battle Creek (CBS, Sunday 10:00 p.m.) — No disrespect to the cast of this other new crime series, but Vince Gilligan’s name is the headline when it comes to Battle Creek, a mismatched buddy-cop procedural.

LATE NIGHT GUESTS: Josh Hutcherson, Abbi Jacobson, and Ilana Glazer on Fallon; and Simon Helberg joins Kunal Nayyar on The Late Late Show.

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