They can talk all they want about government overreach on tax-dodging ranchers in Nevada, but there was rarely so much overkill as there was 39 years ago tomorrow in Philadelphia when the city trying to smoke out a commune for what were pretty much nuisance complaints and made the outrageous decision to storm and burn them out of a neighborhood compound after firing tens of thousands of rounds of police ammunition.
The siege against MOVE headquarters ended up burning 61 houses in the neighborhood and killing 11. It’s still a mind-blowing, head-scratching event that’s relived in “Let the Fire Burn” tonight on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 10 p.m., check local listings).
Jason Osder made his film almost entirely from documentary footage at from the time and the investigations by the city that followed. There is enough information to recreate the unsettled time and to realize how little is yet to be learned from the event.
It’s one of a number of documentaries on tonight.
The day after Mother’s Day is a poignant “The (Dead Mothers) Club” (HBO, 9 p.m.) by Carlye Rubin and Katie Green, which gives voice to women who have lost their mothers over the year. It’s produced in part by Rosie O’Donnell, who lost her mother to breast cancer and is featured in the film. There are other celebrities in the film, from Jane Fonda to Molly Shannon, but most time is given to ordinary women living with their loss.
“Years of Living Dangerously” (Showtime, 8 p.m.), the vivid documentary series on climate change, has moved to Mondays as well. Tonight’s episode looks at how much destructive super storm Sandy was on the Jersey Shore because of rising ocean levels.
“Blacklist” (NBC, 10 p.m.) reaches its finale, with NBC hailing it as the No. 1 new show of the season. Next year, it moves to Thursday nights and plays after the Super Bowl.
Now that it’s been canceled, tonight will be the series finale of “Star-Crossed” (The CW, 8 p.m.).
The sixth season finale of “Castle” (ABC, 10 p.m.) comes on the wedding day of Castle and Beckett.
“24: Live Another Day” (Fox, 9 p.m.) settles into its regular time slot, following the second to last episode of the season for “Bones” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
A great double dose of episodes of “Louie” (FX, 10 p.m.) features Ellen Burstyn in the first and a really remarkable second episode in defense of fat women.
“The Voice” (NBC, 8 p.m.) has reached its semi-finals.
Kenny Ortega steps in as guest judge on “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC, 8 p.m.). He has to be better than the woman from “Dance Moms” who filled in last week.
It’s Mitzi Gaynor night on Turner Classic Movies with “The Joker is Wild” (8 p.m.), “Les Girls” (10:15 p.m.), “The I Don’t Care Girl” (12:15 a.m.), “Mitzi: A Tribute to the American Housewife” (1:45 a.m.) and “Golden Girl” (2:45 a.m.).
NBA playoff action includes Miami at Brooklyn (TNT, 8 p.m.) and San Antonio at Portland (TNT, 10:30 p.m.). In the Stanley Cup playoffs it’s Boston at Montreal (NBC Sports, 7:30 p.m.) and Los Angeles and Anaheim (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.).
Baseball includes Cubs at St. Louis (ESPN, 8 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Mark Ruffalo, Jimmy Kimmel. The Talk: Zach Braff, Nick Cordero, Perez Hilton, Lidia Bastianich. Ellen DeGeneres: Eric Stonestreet, Ludacris. Wendy Williams: Nina Terrero, Dr. Gadget.
Late Talk
David Letterman: Harry Connick Jr., Jesse Eisenberg, the Black Keys. Jimmy Fallon: Louis C.K., Neil Young, Jack White. Jimmy Kimmel: Kathy Griffin, Tony Hale, Franz ferdinand (rerun). Seth Meyers: Chris O’Dowd, Emma Roberts, M.I.A. Craig Ferguson: Angela Kinsey, Samantha Shannon, Dan Boulger. Carson Daly: Richard Ayoade, Franz Ferdinand, Royal Canoe. Tavis Smiley: Ralph Nader, John Slattery. Jon Stewart: Dr. Martin Blaser. Stephen Colbert: Glenn Greenwald. Arsenio Hall: James Pickens Jr., Katherine Schwarzenegger, Jermaine Dupri & Friends. Conan O’Brien: Will Arnett, Ryan Hamilton. Chelsea Handler: Connie Britton, John Caparulo, Nicole Byer, Kurt Braunohler. Pete Holmes: Ben Schwartz.