Tonight in HD: November 22

SoHo Highlight: Dexter (Sky 10, 8.30, 5.1) Dexter lines up his next victim, Brother Sam, a criminal who claims to have found religion; the investigation into the dead man with the snakes in his torso advances when one of the students finds heavy metals in their system; Quinn has a surprise waiting for Deb in the refrigerator — but the deputy chief springs the biggest surprise of all. No surprise this series has been renewed for two more seasons, with this season being part of a three-season arc that will bring Dexter to an end. However,  Showtime’s entertainment president David Nevins isn’t ruling out the prospect of a season nine. “I’m not going to say with absolute certainty that this is the end. But that is the likely scenario,” he told Deadline, which earlier reported negotiations had broken down between Showtime and star Michael C Hall over renewing his contract — apparently it offered $US20 million but he wanted $US24 million. “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers,” Hall told the Sunday Star Times during a whirlwind visit here to promote not only Dexter but also Soho’s Six Feet Under. Moreover, he hinted to the NZ Herald the show may end after season seven. “I know that we’ll do at least one more after the sixth season concludes. Beyond that I can’t say for sure.” ✭✭✭✭

NCIS (TV3, 8.30)

Friends (TV2, 6.30, R) On Emma’s first birthday, Rachel wants to throw the perfect party – but all her friends have other plans and the bakery supplies a pornographic cake. Can she rescue the party from disaster? ✫✫✫

Shortland Street (TV2, 7.00) Maxwell suffers for his mistake; Hunter’s behaviour raises questions; Bella’s dedication puts a life at risk. ✫✫✫

The Celebrity Apprentice (TV2, 8.30) One of the celebrities will find out they have made Apprentice history and wild card Gary could be cruising for a bruising. ✫✫

NCIS (TV3, 8.30, 5.1) The search for the Port-to-Port killer heats up because his latest victim has ties with NCIS. The TV Obsessed thought the episode not particularly dramatic, “but it has lots of great moments between Gibbs and Tony, both in the present and the past. As we reach the final two episodes of the season, there will be revelations, and the promo for next week’s episode suggests that someone will die and an old character will return.” ✫✫

NCIS: Los Angeles (TV3, 9.25, 5.1) A former Navy intelligence officer is murdered, and the agents discover his double life and a possible threat to national security. ✫✫

Cold Case (TV One, 12.00, R) ✫✫