The Week’s guide to what’s worth watching

The best programs on TV this week

Hindenburg: The Last Flight

Nearly 76 years after the Hindenburg airship burst into flames over Lakehurst, N.J., killing passengers and crew, the cause of the tragedy remains unknown. This two-night dramatic miniseries plays fast and loose with the mystery, embracing speculation that a bomb was planted aboard the doomed zeppelin. The creators have also thrown in a Titanic-style romance between a handsome German engineer (Maximilian Simonischek) and a beautiful American socialite (Lauren Lee Smith). Monday, March 11, and Tuesday, March 12, at 8 p.m., Encore

Ring of Fire

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Perhaps Hindenburg is not the disaster drama or Lauren Lee Smith vehicle you were looking for? In this two-part miniseries, airing the same nights, an oil rig triggers a volcanic eruption in a small town, setting off a potentially world-ending string of eruptions across the Pacific Ring of Fire. CSI’s Smith stars here alongside Terry O’Quinn (Lost) and Michael Vartan (Alias). Monday, March 11, and Tuesday, March 12, at 8 p.m., Reelz

Nova: Cracking Your Genetic Code

Science’s ability to map individual genetic codes promises both medical breakthroughs and ethical dilemmas. This sobering look at the new reality, first aired last year, examines all angles of the coming debate. Will gene-mapping allow individuals to defeat chronic or fatal disease? And should employers and insurance companies know what you know? Wednesday, March 13, at 9 p.m., PBS; check local listings

Yukon Men

If you think you’ve had a rough winter, be glad you’re not one of the 200 residents of Tanana, Alaska. Living 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle means subzero temperatures, wolverine raids, and a routine threat of starvation. Trapping season has begun on this engaging reality series, which has become a bit of a sleeper hit. Friday, March 15, at 9 p.m., Discovery

Trip Flip

In this envy-inducing reality series, unsuspecting travelers enjoy dramatic upgrades in their itineraries when host Bert Kreischer crashes their vacations. Season Two’s first episode follows an American couple whose anniversary trip suddenly includes bungee jumping in Australia’s Daintree Rainforest. Sunday, March 17, at 8 p.m., Travel Channel

Other highlights

Are You Tougher Than a Boy Scout?

In this lighthearted new show, grown men compete against Boy Scouts in merit badge categories from knot tying to wilderness survival. Monday, March 11, at 8 p.m., National Geographic

Preachers’ Daughters

Stereotypes about preachers’ daughters are put to the test in this new series, which follows three teenage girls, each coming of age under the watch of a pastor father. Tuesday, March 12, at 10 p.m., Lifetime

Tuba U: Basso Profundo

Large, low-pitched, and unwieldy, the tuba may be the most underappreciated brass instrument. This documentary gives the horn its due while following a 22-member tuba ensemble on a path to Carnegie Hall. Friday, March 15, at 10:30 p.m., PBS; check local listings

To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us