Tonight in HD: November 8

SoHo Highlight: Rescue Me (Sky 10, 7.30, 5.1) If, like me, you’ve never warmed to this abrasive dramedy about neurotic New York firefighters, this could be the time to give it another go. According to veteran US critic Alan Sepinwall, episode two of season five is a “big improvement” over the premiere. “The introduction of Genevieve, the French writer working on the 9/11 book, is the best thing to happen to the series in a while — not necessarily because of guest star Karina Lombard, but because the show desperately needed to get back to talking about the day the towers fell rather than just be the silly, ego-maniacal story of the world’s most sexually irresistible fireman.” Sepinwall adds Michael J Fox’s guest stint as Janet’s insane boyfriend Dwight “continues to be hysterical … On the downside, he’s the only bit of comic relief working at the moment.” Concurred the AV Club in its B+ recommendation: “If you want to see the difference between some of Rescue Me’s lacklustre, earlier seasons and this rebuilding phase, you couldn’t do much better than starting here.” ✭✭✭

NCIS (TV3, 8.30)

Friends (TV2, 6.30, R) The gang get lottery fever, while Chandler waits for a phone call that could mean a new paying job, and Rachel thinks baby Emma is close to saying her first word. ✫✫✫

Shortland Street (TV2, 7.00)  Luke receives help from an unlikely source; Sarah needs money; Ula is caught in a sexy situation. ✫✫✫

The Celebrity Apprentice (TV2, 8.30) The men’s and women’s teams face off to create the best advertising campaign. ✫

NCIS (TV3, 8.30, 5.1) A seaman’s murder leads to a serial killer operating in international ports, and Gibbs reluctantly must allow Agent EJ Barrett to lead the investigation. “With five episodes left in the season, things are starting to heat up,” says The TV Obsessed, “with the return of EJ Barrett, the introduction of Ziva’s CIA boyfriend Ray, and a serial killer who remains uncaught. Two-Faced is short on investigation and instead plays on the ongoing character developments.” ✫✫

NCIS: Los Angeles (TV3, 9.30, 5.1)  The death of a marine in a car explosion has Sam going undercover as a bomb specialist to find stolen bombs before they’re detonated in Los Angeles. ✫✫

Medium (TV3, 11.10, 5.1, F) Season five closes with Allison’s most nightmarish vision yet: she dreams of her family’s massacre and is comforted by an unfamiliar man. ✫✫

Cold Case (TV One, 12.00, R) ✫✫