It’s finale night for a couple of big shows, and there might be more bodies killed on the third season finale of “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO, 9 p.m.) than the mid-season pause for “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.).
On the underrated HBO drama, a giant siege on Atlantic City by the self-styled ganster Gyp Rosetti comes to a head as Nucky Thompson plans his moves from a hideout with Chalky White, aided by an emissary from Chicago, Al Capone. Care is taken amid the gunfire to weave in several threads from the season, including the sudden disappearance of Margaret Schroeder. But you can’t have everything, the high strung Nelson Van Alden character played by Michael Shannon does not appear.
On “The Walking Dead,” meanwhile, the long in the making reunion of Rick’s camp with that of the Governor, including the reunion of brothers and return of Andrea, seems a likely thing to expect on the last episode until February.
Original Christmas movies abound, of course. In “Finding Mrs. Claus” (Lifetime, 9 p.m.), Mia Sorvino plays the wife of St. Nick, who goes to Vegas (and sheds 40 years) trying to be a matchmaker. Santa goes after her (and loses his own 40 years along the way).
There are back to back new Yuletide movies on ION, “A Star for Christmas” (ION, 7 p.m.) and “A Christmas Wedding Date” (ION, 9 p.m.). Among the rest, Jim Carrey “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (ABC Family, 7 and 9:30 p.m.) hasn’t gained much charm in the intervening 12 years. But there’s a couple of higher quality Christmas classics on Turner Classic Movies: “Little Women” (8 p.m.) and “All Mine to Give” (10:15 p.m.).
The siege at a hamburger stand last week wasn’t quite the action against America we have been led to believe was imminent on “Homeland” (Showtime, 10 p.m.).
Action on “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.) moves to Spain, and I have to believe at least one team mispronounces Mallorca.
It’s Philadelphia at Dallas (NBC, 8:20 p.m.) on Sunday Nigth Football.
Steven Spielberg, Sally Field and Daniel Day Lewis talk “Lincoln” on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” (OWN, 9 p.m.).
What kind of monster raised Hannah on “Dexter” (Showtime, 9 p.m.)? You’ll find out when her father makes an appearance in tonight’s episode.
A midseason finale for “Revenge” (ABC, 9 p.m.) promises some advancing of a plot that may have been running in place for a while.
Christmas may be coming soon, but the supposedly Mayan-predicted end of the world comes sooner and the first of what will be many specials this month premieres with “2012: Countdown to Armageddon” (National Geographic Channel, 8 p.m.).
Whoopi Goldberg guest stars on “666 Park Avenue” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
From the makers of “Undercover Boss” comes the inverse show, “Be the Boss” (A&E, 10 p.m.) in which lowly employees compete to run their own franchise.
How will “Masterpiece Classic” (PBS, 9 p.m.) tide you over until the third season start of “Downton Abbey” next month? Replay the entirety of season two, starting tonight.
One of the most off –putting groups in reality TV – and that’s saying a lot – returnfor a new season on “Shahs of Sunset” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Treasure Secretary Tim Geithner, Reps. Tom Cole and Keith Ellison, Romney adviser Dan Senor, Obama adviser Steven Rattner. CBS: Geithner, Sens. Lindsey Graham and Dianne Feinstein, Rep. Mike Rogers. NBC: Geithner, Sens. Bob Corker and Claire McCaskill, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Grover Norquist. CNN: Geithner, Sens. Ark Warker and Kelly Ayotte, Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer. Fox News: Geithner, Sens. Tom Coburn and Chuck Schumer, Rep. John Boehner, former Sen. Evan Bayh, Ed Rollins.