Tonight in HD: November 9

SoHo Highlight: The Killing (Sky 10, 8.30. 5.1) There’s a new Twin Peaks in town. This 13-part, American re-make of an even longer Danish series of the same name tracks a day-by-day police investigation into a Seattle teenager’s murder. Whether it proves as broad in thematic scope as the original will be tested over the first few episodes but anyone who’s seen Forbrydelsen on DVD, or read the radioactive-hot US reviews, may feel underwhelmed by the premiere. It adopts the same aesthetic sensibility as the original but isn’t as intense, sinister or enthralling. Then again, it could just be DVD deja-vu. As Entertainment Weekly’s Ken Tucker wrote with the benefit of having seen several episodes: “Some viewers may find The Killing a little too cold and deliberate, but give it time. Its intensity builds steadily, giving the series unexpected power.” Most of his peers agreed: “as bleak and oppressive as any, but it’s so well told that it’s almost heartening” (New York Times); “excellent, absorbing and addictive” (The Hollywood Reporter); “emotionally spare and atmospherically dank” (Miami Herald). ✭✭✭✭

The Borgias (TV3, 9.30)

Friends (TV2, 6.30, R) Rachel dreams about a romantic encounter with Joey after a visit to the set of Days of Our Lives; Phoebe drives people away from Monica’s restaurant with her terrible guitar playing. ✫✫✫

Shortland Street (TV2, 7.00) Ula has a romantic rendezvous; Maxwell struggles with being green; Hunter struggles to hide his secret. ✫✫✫

Bigger Faster Better Stronger (TV3, 8.00, R) James Coleman and Greg Page invent a turbo toaster. ✫✫

Underbelly: Razor (TV3, 8.30) Gaffney is intent on killing Frank Green in an act of revenge. He makes for the Devine mansion where Green’s hiding out, but what follows is not a stand-off between the two gunmen of Darlinghurst. ✫✫✫✫

Harry’s Law (TV One, 9.30) Harry must fight for her job when she causes a mistrial while Malcolm goes undercover to clear his name — but has second thoughts when it might implicate an old friend. ✫✫

The Borgias (TV3, 9.30, 5.1) When Pope Alexander learns that Della Rovere is seeking to form an alliance with France’s King Charles, he decides to forge a union between Rome and Naples. Guest starring Emmanuelle Chriqui. ✫✫✫✫

V (TV2, 10.35) Erica fights for her life after she discovers her partner is a Visitor; Anna orders Ryan to find Malik, who has gone missing; and Lisa’s body begins to change. ✫✫✫

CSI (TV3, 11.20, 5.1, R) When Nick, Greg and Hodges take Henry to celebrate his birthday at a biker bar, they uncover a double homicide and find several suspects still at the bar who may be the murderers. ✫✫