Ax Men
In its first cycle of episodes, this colorful documentary series followed five logging companies as they faced the hazards of timber cutting in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. Now the show widens its focus to the sea and air, chronicling an outfit that uses helicopters to log the woods of Montana and a group of aquatic loggers who fish for their timber, as well as a fractious father-son team in Washington state. Monday, March 2, at 10 p.m., History
Secrets of the Star Disc
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In 2001 a copper and gold disc, inlaid with images of the moon and stars, suddenly appeared on the international antiquities market. Regarded as a fabrication at first, it now is generally believed to date to 1600 B.C. This special reconstructs the surprising story of a strange and beautiful artifact that may shed new light on Europe’s Bronze Age. Tuesday, March 3, at 9 p.m., National Geographic Channel
Colombia Hostage Rescue
In July 2008 onetime presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages were rescued from the Colombian guerrilla group FARC after six and a half years of captivity. Previously unseen footage, some taken by the guerillas themselves, helps tell the remarkable story of how Colombian military intelligence pulled off the rescue without firing a single shot—in an elaborate ruse that took months of planning and infiltration. Wednesday, March 4, at 8 p.m., National Geographic Channel
BBC World News America
High levels of carbon dioxide in Earth’s atmosphere, in addition to contributing to global warming, create another problem: ocean acidity. Some scientists predict acid levels will increase 60 percent to 80 percent by 2050, destroying reefs and depleting stocks of the fish that breed in them. Correspondent Roger Harrabin files a special two-part report. Friday, March 6, and Monday, March 9, at 7 p.m., BBC America
Kingdom of the Blue Whale
Combining high-definition underwater photography with computer graphics and satellite imaging, this special follows a team of scientists as they probe a puzzling spate of deaths among blue whales, the largest creature of all time. Cameras delve beneath the Costa Rica Dome to document the youngest member of the species ever filmed. Tom Selleck narrates. Sunday, March 8, at 8 p.m., National Geographic Channel
Other highlights
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
The Saturday Night Live alumnus takes over Conan O’Brien’s seat and greets his first guests: Robert De Niro and Van Morrison. Monday, March 2, at 12:35 a.m., NBC
First Ladies: Jamaica
Deborah Roberts gets a tour of the island nation from its First Lady, Lorna Golding. Tuesday, March 3, at 10 p.m., WE tv
Breaking Bad
The critically acclaimed series about a dying high school teacher (Bryan Cranston) who turns to drug dealing returns for its second season. Sunday, March 8, at 10 p.m., AMC
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