HD Highlights: September 13

Season Highlight: Fringe (TV2, 10.35, 5.1) In the year 2036, a new Fringe team takes on the Observers in a war that will change everything. But to win, they must resurrect a legendary figure from their past. “On its surface, this Fringe episode was a departure from the usual unusualness of the series, yet it in fact continued the series’ ongoing project, which is to explore the ideas of identity, self, and image,” Entertainment Weekly said. “Its concept is intriguing, bold, and extremely risky,” IGN said. “I’m just not sure if it works. It’s such a drastic change of scenery and tone it’s hard to say whether this is genius or madness.” But the Los Angeles Times called it “a treat for all Fringe fans. It is like they stole an episode from Fringe Season 12 and let us watch it early.” Of course, there won’t be a season 12 — this week showrunner JH Wyman tweeted the end of the world for Fringe fans will come on February 1 (although the Fox network has still to confirm). ✭✭✭✭

The X Factor USA (TV3, 7.30) Season premiere: With Simon Cowell, LA Reid, Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. This week Cowell called NBC “mean-spirited” and “ungentlemanly” for scheduling episode three of The Voice opposite The X Factor’s season premiere in the US (TV2 is adopting a similar strategy here from September 21) — but he may not have to worry for long: The Voice has just had its lowest-rated season premiere yet. ✭✭✭

Smash (TV3, 9.30, 5.1) Derek makes the audition process rigorous for Karen and Ivy; Eileen looks for financial backing; Julia and Frank hit bureaucratic obstacles with their international adoption plans. ✭✭✭

❑ The Unit (TV3, 11.45, 5.1) Mack is seriously wounded on a mission with Jonas in Chili. ✭✭✭✭

❑ Rizolli & Isles (TV2, 12.05, 5.1) With no obvious clues as to why a man was killed, Jane and Maura must delve into his background to get answers; in the meatime,  Jane senses that Maura’s keeping something from her. ✭✭✭

Sky Movies Greats Premiere: Boogeyman (Sky 22, 8.30, 5.1)  You say Boogeyman, I say Bogeyman. No matter which side of the debate you’re on, this horror chore was pelted with rotten tomatoes by the tonne. Stylishly made but riddled with more clichés than corpses, it stars Lucy Lawless and a slew of TV faces (Samantha Who’s Barry Watson, Bones’ Emily Deschanel, and This Is Not My Life’s Charles Mesure). Another TV vet, Stephen T Kay (The Shield), directs. (2005) ✭✭