Steven Soderbergh’s latest TV endeavor is a handsome looking murder mystery that takes place in the blue-tinged mountain resorts of Summit, Utah. Yet there seems something quite off about it. The scenes don’t gracefully sit next to each other. It’s as if while watching, you’ve missed something.
That’s all because the cleverly-named “Mosaic” (HBO, 8 p.m.) is meant to be experienced that way. Devised as an app in which a viewer wouldn’t choose exactly what happens, but at least which characters’ stories to follow, it appears now as a more conventional linear order — mostly chronological but also beginning with a huge time jump. But I’m not unhappy at seeing it unfold as the director would have organized it. Indeed, that’s the way every other series or film has been put together.
Sharon Stone stars as a successful children’s book author and illustrator whose land is coveted by developers. There’s some fine performances all around from police and those digging further into the case.
Paling by comparison is the “The Alienist” (TNT, 9 p.m.), the adaptation of the Caleb Carr novel that should have come a quarter century ago, when the book was a hit, and there hadn’t been better dark portraits of the turn of the last century (“The Knick,” also by Soderbergh, for one).
With Bucharest subbing for early Manhattan, it’s about a man studying the criminally insane, who were known at the time as alienists. Daniel Brühl, Luke Evans and Dakota Fanning do little to shake it from its brooding, slow-moving old timey haze, with the occasional shock of blood.
Viola Davis hosts a new true crime series “Two Sides” (TVOne, 10 p.m.) that focuses on police violence in the black community, starting with Eric Garner, whose final words in his 2014 choking death were “I can’t breathe.”
Another view of contemporary policing comes in Peter Nicks’ documentary “The Force,” looking into the struggles of the Oakland Police Department. It makes its debut on “Independent Lens” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings).
“Dear Murderer” (Acorn, streaming) is a five-episode drama based on the cases of larger than life New Zealand barrister Mike Bungay.
WWE Monday Night Raw (USA, 8 p.m.) marks its 25th anniversary on the network with a live retrospective.
The guys go to Madrid on “Better Late Than Never” (NBC, 9 p.m.).
A Congressman gets priority for a heart transplant on the second episode of “The Resident” (Fox, 9 p.m.).
“Antiques Roadshow” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) winds up its trip to Harrisburg.
The Shadow Raiders are sent on a mission they’ve been awaiting on “Valor” (The CW, 9 p.m.).
Dr. Murphy doubts the cause of a patient’s injury on “The Good Doctor” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
“Supergirl” (The CW, 8 p.m.) teams up with Saturn Girl.
Lt. Pierce’s true identity is revealed on “Lucifer” (Fox, 8 p.m.).
Oh, all the fighting on “Vanderpump Rules” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
“The Bachelor” (ABC, 8 p.m.) has two hours to mess with vulnerable women.
With all of the assistance provided by the Pentagon, you have to wonder to what extent “Chain of Command” (National Geographic, 9 p.m.) falls on the spectrum from public relations to propaganda.
After killing off his wife’s character to start the season, “Kevin Can Wait” (CBS, 8 p.m.) no longer; he starts to date.
To shake the winter from your bones, a second season of “Summer House” (Bravo, 10 p.m.).
I love the name of the show “Reality Cupcakes” (Food, 10:30 p.m.).
Adam takes his kids to work and they give everybody lice on “Man with a Plan” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
Harry joins Josh for acting class on “9JKL” (CBS, 9:30 p.m.).
Cake and ice cream deserts are tackled on “Kids Baking Championship” (Food, 9 p.m.).
“Man vs. Food” (Travel, 9 p.m.) goes to Boise.
“People Magazine Investigates” (Investigation Discovery, 9 p.m.) a Washington state PTA mom arrested for a murder 10 years earlier in Alaska.
A solar storm knocks out power in Los Angeles on “Scorpion” (CBS, 10 p.m.).
The actress Joanna Going picks movies on Turner Classic Movies tonight. Her choices: “The Black Stallion” (8 p.m.), “Wings of Desire” (10:15 p.m.), “Day for Night” (12:45 a.m.) and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (3 a.m.).
Men’s college basketball includes Maryland at Indiana (Fox Sports 1, 7 p.m.), North Carolina at Virginia Tech (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Iowa State at Texas (ESPNU, 7 p.m.), Holy Cross at American (CBS Sports, 7 p.m.), West Virginia at Texas Christian (ESPN, 9 p.m.), Michigan State at Illinois (Fox Sports 1, 9 p.m.) and Kansas State at Baylor (ESPNU, 9 p.m.).
In women’s games, it’s Ohio State at Maryland (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
In pro games, it’s Miami at Houston (NBA, 8 p.m.), Washington at Dallas (NBC Sports, 8:30 p.m.), and Minnesota at Clippers (NBA, 10:30 p.m.).
Hockey has Tampa Bay at Chicago (NBC Sports, 8:30 p.m.).
The Australian Open (Tennis, 7 p.m.; ESPN2, 9 p.m.) reaches the quarterfinals.
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest: Sharon Stone, Clayne Crawford, Andy Grammar. The View: Ana Navarro. The Talk: Peter Facinelli, Shelley Wade. Harry Connick: Anne Heche, Alex Roe. Steve Harvey: Brooklyn Decker, Nia Jas, Alea Bliss. Ellen DeGeneres: Chadwick Baseman, Jeff Garlin, Kalen Allen. Wendy Williams: Michael Yo, Vernon Francois.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: James Corden, Ann Curry, Deon Cole. Jimmy Kimmel: Zach Galifianakis, Antonia Thomas, Tune-Yards. Jimmy Fallon: Greg Kenner, Jason Momoa, the War on Drugs. Seth Meyers: John Lithgow, Selma Blair, Derek Waters, Brann Dailor. James Corden: Kristen Wiig, Seth MacFarlane, Romesh Ranganathan (rerun). Carson Daly: Judah Friedlander, Cloud Nothings, Dee Rees (rerun). Trevor Noah: Michael Wolff. Jordan Klepper: Jason Kander. Conan O’Brien: Sharon Stone, Luke Evans.