The overload of hype has almost put me off the return of “Game of Thrones” (HBO, 9 p.m.) for its final six episodes, with the Wall crumbling and the invaders imminent. Yes, I’ll be watching with everyone else the saga with paradoxically both too many characters but also too many deaths. But as the show has been galloping to its conclusion, there’s been much more emphasis on huge battles over the kind of dialogue and quieter moments between characters that set the series apart in the first place. And now, with the White Walkers and so forth, it’s become kind of a monster show as well.
The first half of the final season last year were battle-crammed, as if rushing to get everything in position for the end; the last few episodes will likely be more like this. The very success of the series will mean they’ll throw even more money at it to make it spectacularly cinematic, which will likely mean buying more extras for slaughter. The only restraint may be not following each episode with a talk show.
Likely going unnoticed opposite it is an interesting new six-part version of Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” (PBS, 9 p.m., check local listings) that revives the 19th century saga of French class struggle without all the songs of the popular stage musical. Dominic West grows a huge beard and terrible attitude as Jean Valjean (as if he’s been thrown in jail for transgressions on “The Affair”). David Oyelowo is Javert, Lily Collins is Fanzine, and Oscar winner Olivia Coleman is Madame Thenardier. And just about everybody you’ve ever seen in British drama also seems to have a part. Screenwriter Andrew Davies (the original “House of Cards”) knows how to fashion a drama, and there’s more naughty bits than one would expect in public television drawing room drama. And as if to keep up with its HBO competition, there are fields full of dead bodies at first as well.
“Veep” (HBO, 10:30 p.m.) goes to Iowa for the county fair campaigning and first debates.
The four part documentary on sports betting culminates with its biggest payday, the Super Bowl, on ‘Action” (Showtime, 8 p.m.).
“Barry” (HBO, 10 p.m.) tries to give up the assassin business by training replacements.
Chuck begins work in a new position on “Billions” (Showtime, 9 p.m.).
Shadow and Mr. Wednesday ask for Dvalin’s help on “American Gods” (Starz, 8 p.m.).
The Top 14 perform live for votes on “American Idol” (ABC, 8 p.m.).
Half the acts get cut on “World of Dance” (NBC, 8 p.m.).
“Call the Midwife” (PBS, 8 p.m., check local listings) administers a measles vaccination.
The lead paint crisis is the focus of “Finding Justice” (BET, 8 p.m.).
“God Friended Me” (CBS, 8 p.m.) has its season one finale.
Reg must answer to the mob on “The Chi” (Showtime, 10 p.m.).
“Madam Secretary” (CBS, 10 p.m.) is about to declare her candidacy for president.
Eve gets a new team to help her on the Villanelle case on “Killing Eve” (BBC America, AMC, 8 p.m.).
“Naked and Afraid” (Discovery, 8 p.m.) is in Africa.
Diana tries to ignore her witch heritage on the second episode of “A Discovery of Witches” (AMC, BBC America, 9 p.m.).
The Cake Boss has yet another spinoff, “Bake You Rich” (Food, 10 p.m.), in which professional bakers compete for the opportunity of having him sell the results. It follows the finale of “Buddy vs. Duff” (Food, 9 p.m.).
A psychic reading goes awry on “Married to Medicine: Los Angeles” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
On “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS, 9 p.m.), a Navy SEAL is attacked while moonlighting as a security guard at a pot dispensary.
Ruby crosses a line on “Good Girls” (NBC, 10 p.m.).
The search for Hayley begins on “Unforgotten” (PBS, 10 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (Bravo, 8 p.m.) continues its reunion episodes; “Sister Wives” (TLC, 8 p.m.) and “Seeking Sister Wife” (TLC, 9 p.m.) begin theirs.
Turner Classic Movies marks its 25th anniversary today with a repeat of its first ever programming lineup: “Gone With the Wind” (8 p.m.), “It Happened One Night” (midnight), “The Petrified Forest” (2 a.m.) and “Cat People” (5:15 a.m.).
NBA playoffs continue with Indiana at Boston (TNT, 1 p.m.), Oklahoma City at Portland (ABC, 3:30 p.m.), Detroit at Milwaukee (TNT, 7 p.m.) and Utah at Houston (TNT, 9:30 p.m.).
Stanley Cup first round play continues with Islanders at Pittsburgh (NBC, noon), Tampa Bay at Columbus (NBC Sports, 7 p.m.), Winnipeg at St. Louis (CNBC, 7:30 p.m.) and San Jose at Vegas (NBC Sports, 10 p.m.).
Baseball includes White Sox at Yankees (MLB, 1 p.m.), St. Louis at Cincinnati (ESPN, 4 p.m.) and Mets at Atlanta (SPN, 7 p.m.).
Final rounds are played at The Masters (CBS, 9 a.m.).
Auto racing has the Spring Nationals (Fox, 3 p.m.) and the Grand Prix of Long Beach (NBC Sports, 4:30 p.m.).
It’s the U.S. vs. Finland (NHL, 1 p.m.) in the gold metal game of the IHF world championship; Russia vs. Canada (NHL, 9 a.m.) in the bronze.
College baseball includes Clemson at Florida State (ESPn2, 1 p.m.) and Oklahoma at Baylor (ESPNU, 4 p.m.).
Men’s college lacrosse have Ohio State at Johns Hopkins (ESPNU, noon) and Villanova at Georgetown (CBS Sports, 1 p.m.).
College softball includes South Carolina at Auburn (ESPNU, 2 p.m.), Oregon at UCLA (ESPN2, 4 p.m.) and Cal State Fullerton at Long Bach (ESPNU, 7 p.m.).
Sunday Talk
ABC: Sarah Sanders, Rep. Bennie Thompson, Julian Assange attorney Jennifer Robinson. CBS: Kellyanne Conway, Sens. Dick Durbin, Cory Booker, Trump campaign manager Brad Pascale. NBC: Conway, Gov. Jay Inslee. CNN: Reps. Jerrold Nadler and Eric Swalwell, Sen. Rick Scott. Fox News: Sanders, Sen. Ben Cardin.