HD Highlights: August 16

Season Finale: Episodes (TV One, 10.05) Matt misses his bro-mance with Sean and tries to buy back his friendship with the sports car of his dreams. But Sean is not about to forgive or forget that easily. You can’t blame TV One for quitting this brilliant comedy given the dreadful ratings — but why pull it only two episodes into the second series when the series-one finale was only two weeks ago? The network says it will be back before year’s end but don’t be surprised if it returns in a late-night summer slot when ratings aren’t as critical. (Ironically, tonight’s episode sees episode two of Pucks! bomb in the ratings opposite a show about a talking dog.) For fans who can’t wait, the good news is series two’s out on disc in the UK; the bad news is it appears to be on DVD only and not Blu-ray. ✭✭✭✭✭

❑ Rescue 1 (TV2, 8.00) As a weather bomb hits, the chopper crew set out on one of the most challenging missions they have ever undertaken; 20 miles off shore, a man lays face down at Muriwai beach unable to move. ✭✭✭

❑ Inside NZ: Donated to Science (TV3, 9.30, R) Looks at the often controversial subject of human dissection, the stories of the people who donate their bodies to medical schools, and the students who work with them. ✭✭✭

❑ The Unit (TV3, 11.45, 5.1) Jonas, Mack, and Grey must deliver a child bride to secure peace between two warring tribes in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. ✭✭✭✭

Fringe (TV2, 10.35, 5.1) While Peter and Olivia deal with the emotional consequences of the Observer’s revelations about Peter’s future, the Fringe team investigates the case of a killer who seems intent on murdering … love. “For many, the highlight of this week’s much anticipated episode will be the answers we finally get about the Observers,” said Sound on Sight. “The reveal is logical and not unexpected, but with enough mystery and holes to allow for any number of future adjustments.” Entertainment Weekly’s Ken Tucker hailed it as “a very moving, as well as exciting, episode. The series keeps avoiding the cold-sci-fi trap.” Agreed the Los Angeles Times: “‘End of All Things’ focused on our original characters and the greater mysteries of Fringe. Great acting, a decent twist and the truth behind one of the most enigmatic characters in television history. Why can’t more Fringe episodes be like this? Why can’t more television be like Fringe?” ✭✭✭✭