The healthcare system may be broken today, but was it always that way? A new 10-part series “Mysteries of Ancient Medicine” (National Geographic Channel, 9 p.m.) looks at things like dentistry among the Etruscans, and, at 10 p.m., Black Death. So maybe it was worse.
In the new seven-episode action series “Man on Fire” (Netflix, streaming), Yahya Abdul Mateen II (“Aquaman”) stars as a former special forces mercenary stuggling with PTSD and inching towards revenge. Based on the novel by A.J. Quinnell (and preceded by two previous film adaptations in 1987 and 2004), the cast includes Alice Braga, Scoot McNairy and Bobby Cannavale.
“Half Man” (HBO, 9 p.m.) turns out to be a bit more brutal than one would expect.
Fagenbacher tries to sabotage Georgie’s attempt to honor his dad on “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” (CBS, 8 p.m.).
“Law & Order” (NBC, 8 p.m.) has the case of a woman from a prominent family found dead on her birthday; “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC, 9 p.m.) tries to protect a victim’s secret.
New pressures threaten control over Woodstone on “Ghosts” (CBS, 8:30 p.m.).
“Elsbeth” (CBS, 9 p.m.) investigates the death of a billionaire’s son in motorcycle crash.
Elena and Roxie go on an awkward date on “9-1-1: Nashville” (ABC, 9 p.m.)
“The Hunting Party” (NBC, 10 p.m.) try to find a drug addict seeking a new high.
Fossilized vomit from the Jurassic era is among the “Mysteries Unearthed with Danny Trejo” (History, 9 p.m.).
“Next Level Chef” (Fox, 8 p.m.) toasts the nation’s 250th.
A firefighter is treated for severe burns on “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC, 10 p.m.).
“9-1-1” (ABC, 8 p.m.) responds to an electrical emergency call.
Summer draws to an end on “Ladies of London: The New Reign” (Bravo, 9 p.m.).
“The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo, 8 p.m.) continue their reunion episodes.
Three women rejected as contestants on a reality TV dating show form a sisterhood in the made-for-TV movie “Toni Braxton’s Breathe Again” (Lifetime Movie Network, 8 p.m.). It’s followed by last year’s “Toni Braxton’s He Wasn’t Man Enough” (Lifetime Movie Networ, 10 p.m.).
“Predator Hunters” (A&E, 9 p.m.) nab a guy at a gas station.
Cryptic messages arrive about a cousin who vanished years earlier om “Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries” (UPtv, 9 p.m.).
The Thursday night Texas series on Turner Classic Movies concludes with “Terms of Endearment” (8 p.m.), “Urban Cowboy” (10:30 p.m.), “Varsity Blues” (1 a.m.), “Red River” (3 a.m.) and “The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean” (5:15 a.m.).
During the day are the films of Eve Arden, born this day in 1908 with “Obliging Young Lady” (6:15 a.m.), “One for the Book” (8 a.m.), “Pan-Americana” (9:45 a.m.), “She Couldn’t Say No” (11:15 a.m.), “Stage Door” (12:30 p.m.), “That Uncertain Feeling” (2:15 p.m.), “The Unfaithful” (3:45 p.m.) and “Ziegfeld Girl” (5:45 p.m.).
Baseball includes Colorado at Cincinnati (ESPN, 12:40 p.m.) and San Francisco at Philadelphia (MLB, 5:35 p.m.).
NBA playoffs have Knicks at Atlanta (ESPN, 7 p.m.), Boston at Philadelphia (NBC Sports, 8 p.m.) and Denver at Minnesota (ESPN, 9:30 p.m.).
Stanley Cup playoffs have Dallas at Minnesota (TNT, truTV, 7:30 p.m.) and Edmonton at Anaheim (TNT, truTV, 10 p.m.).
Preseason WNBA action has Dallas at Indiana (Ion, 7 p.m.).
College baseball includes Vanderbilt at Alabama (ESPN2, 7 p.m.).
Daytime Talk
Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos: Stanley Tucci, Wilmer Valderrama. The View: Yahya Abdul-Matten II. Kelly Clarkson: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Lisa Vanderpump, Yami Safdie, Alejandro Sanz. Drew Barrymore: Kate Hudson, Valerie Bertinelli, Wolfgang Van Halen. Jennifer Hudson: Kate Hudson, Drew Tarver, Scott MacArthur.
Late Talk
Stephen Colbert: Meryl Streep, Maggie Rogers (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Meryl Streep, Desi Lydic. Jimmy Fallon: Olivia Rodrigo, Richard Gadd, Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen, Bruce Hornsby. Seth Meyers: Adam Scott, Juliette Lewis. Daily Show: RZA.