KEY POINTS:
7pm, TV2
SHORTLAND STREET
As suggested in this column a few weeks ago, none of the three alternative serial killer scenarios that were mysteriously leaked on to the internet turned out to be the real one in last season's cliffhanger. At the time of the "leak", Shorty producers had a fourth scenario up their sleeves in which nurse Joey Henderson (Johnny Barker) was revealed as the Ferndale strangler.
This week, the creation of a specialist team at the hospital provides Joey with another avenue for indulging in his murderous ways. While it's only a matter of time before Joey is caught, fans will be desperate to find out the fate of the Warner family, who were involved in a horror car crash in the cliffhanger.
With a stressed-out Guy (Craig Parker) at the wheel, the car carrying Toni (Laura Hill), Tuesday (Olivia Tennett) and Harry (Henry Williams) ends up in a twisted heap after swerving to avoid a truck. It could be the end of the road, literally, for a favourite character or two.
Meanwhile, the developing bond between Shanti (Nisha Madhan) and Scotty (Kiel McNaughton) comes under threat when Shanti's betrothed, Dinesh (Amin Sheikh), turns up unexpectedly. Like Shanti, Dinesh grew up in India and is proud of his Indian heritage. Shanti is aware that Dinesh is coming but what she doesn't know is that he has taken a job at the hospital.
He also turns up a couple of days early to surprise her and she is shocked when she bumps into him during his orientation at the hospital. In other developments, Libby Jeffries (Fleur Saville) arrives back from leave and decides to implement healthy eating rules for staff, much to the displeasure of nurse Alice Piper (Toni Potter).
8.30pm, TV3
HEROES
This last episode of 11 in Volume II: Generations was supposed to mark the halfway point in a season which would have been rounded out with Volume III: Villains, but the writer's strike scuppered those plans.
Given the way this season has meandered, the break in production should give the makers time to reflect on how the series has lost momentum. Even creator Tim Kring has admitted that the series has laboured under the strain of its larger cast and tying together myriad storylines.
And there have been some less-than-involving characters and storylines, notably the bleeding-eyed killer Maya and her journey to the States for help with her condition. In the finale, the good guys, not knowing who to trust, come to blows.
Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) and brother (Adrian Pasdar) as well as Matt (Greg Grunberg) and Hiro (Masi Oka) all clash thanks to Adam (David Anders) and his pursuit of the deadly Shanti Virus.
7PM, TV2
SHORTLAND STREET
Last time we tuned in, Joey was about to kill Tania - or at least have a go. Will his unrequited missus wind up as lifeless as his other victims? More importantly, how will life fare for Shanti and Scotty when her betrothed, Dinesh, arrives in the country, and accepts a job at the clinic?
8.30PM, TV2
BROTHERS & SISTERS
The two-hour finale of the family drama finds Kitty and Nora testing their newfound trust. Meanwhile, Tommy and Julia face a life and death situation, Sarah and Joe confront his infidelity and Justin prepares to leave for war.
8.30PM, TV3
HEROES
The finale of the second superhero series, so expect a gripping cliffhanger. Will Niki be one of the heroes to die while saving her son? And what will come of Sylar and Mohinder's standoff over Molly; and Peter and Adam's mission to track down the virus at the Primatech Paper Company?
MOVIES
8.30PM, SKY MOVIES
LORD OF WAR
Herald Rating: * * * *
New Zealand-born screenwriter-director Andrew Niccol is behind this gun-running story, which stars Nicholas Cage as Yuri Orlov, a ruthless arms dealer on the run from an Interpol agent (Ethan Hawke). Loaded with black humour and Yuri's political name-checking: "Back then, I didn't sell to Osama Bin Laden. Not because of moral reasons, but because he was always bouncing cheques." (2005)
8.30PM, RIALTO SKY DIGITAL
SOME VOICES
Herald Rating: * * *
Funny and touching comedy with Daniel Craig as a schizophrenia patient who is released from a psychiatric hospital. He falls for a girl, goes off his medication and spins out of control. (2000)
10.30PM, SKY MOVIES
INVINCIBLE
Herald Rating: * * *
Vince Papale (Mark Wahlberg) is a 30-year old teacher moonlighting as a bartender, who tries out for the Philadelphia Eagles, makes the team and has a great three-year career. Based on a true story. (2006)
SPORT
1PM, SKY SPORT 2 LIVE
TENNIS: AUSTRALIAN OPEN
The Williams sisters will be the threat in the women's draw, while Rafael Nadal will have another shot at overturning Roger Federer.
