There’s a very complicated explanation to refute the notion that “Resurrection” (ABC, 9 p.m.) is a remake of the much better French import “The Returned” that premiered last summer on Sundance and is running now on Netflix. Different source material or something. Nonetheless, the premise still turns out exactly the same: People who were dead and buried years ago suddenly come back and as glad as some families are to see a long dead child, for example, there is still that lingering question: why?
These dead people aren’t going to eat anybody, which is maybe why “The Walking Dead” (AMC, 9 p.m.) will still kill it in the ratings, even though it’s on cable. Still,there is that other lingering question for viewers of “Resurrection”: Why do the series at all?
The season’s best show comes to an end with the highly anticipated finale to “True Detective” (HBO, 8 p.m.) and the presumed end of one of the most engaging detective duos on TV, starring Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey, who just a week ago was picking up his first Oscar. With his work here, he’ll likely pick up his first Emmy come fall. While the series is to return to the network, it will feature a whole new set of characters with a new story in season two.
Lindsay Lohan’s attempt to get back on track comes with an Oprah Winfrey reality series. The unblinking “Lindsay” (OWN, 10 p.m.) will follow her occasional trips, and her decision to quit the show mid season. But it will also include Oprah herself, getting in Lindsay’s face and telling her to get it together. So it might be good.
It follows Miss Winfrey’s return to her talk show format in the new “Oprah Prime” (OWN, 9 p.m.). The first episode has Russell Brand talking about his heroin addiction.
That’s opposed to another new series “Online Dating Rituals of the America” (Bravo, 10 p.m.) whichh follows some off-putting men trolling for women. What they find: Many don’t look like their picture. Also: They apparently don’t mind being on a reality show.
On the new “Catch a Contractor” (Spike, 10 p.m.), Adam Carolla helps families track down workers who seem to have left their jobs half-finished.
“Revenge” (ABC, 10 p.m.) returns to its own time slot after the cancellation of “Betrayal” and the Emily VanCamp series, the ads say, is “revengier” than ever. Which probably means worse.
Another terrible coincidence for “The Amazing Race” (CBS, 8 p.m.) as teams fly to Malaysia on flights that don’t disappear midflight.
A performance of Puccini’s “Tosca” is featured on “Great Performances at the Met” (PBS, 5:30 p.m., check local listings).
Susan Sarandon narrates a new documentary series “Death Row Stories” (CNN, 9 p.m.). Alex Gibney and Robert Redford are co-producers.
Hints of an Oz turn on “Once Upon a Time” (ABC, 8 p.m.) warrants a whole preshow talking about it — “Once Upon a Time: Wicked is Coming” (ABC, 7 p.m.).
Hannah tries role playing, to disastrous results, on “Girls” (HBO, 10 p.m.).
Turner Classic Movies finally presents its big tribute to Shirley Temple, who died last month at 85, with “Heidi” (4:30 p.m.), “Stowaway” (6:15 p.m.), “Bright Eyes” (8 p.m.), “The Little Princess” (9:30 p.m.), “I’ll Be Seeing You” (11:15 p.m.), “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer” (12:45 a.m.), “A Kiss for Corliss” (2:30 a.m.) and “That Hagen Girl” (4:15 a.m.).
NBA action includes Heat at Bulls (ABC, 1 p.m.) and Thunder at Lakers (ABC, 3:30 p.m.). In hockey, it’s Red Wings at Rangers (NBC, 12:30 p.m.) and Blackhawks at Sabres (NBC Sports Network, 7:30 p.m.).
Spring baseball has St. Louis vs. Washington (MLB, 1 p.m.) and Cincinnati vs. Angels (MLB, 4 p.m.).
Men’s college hoops includes Winthrop vs. Coastal Carolina (ESPN2, noon) in the Big South championship, Virginia at Maryland (CBS, noon), Wichita vs. Indiana State (CBS, 2 p.m.) in the Missouri Valley championship, Mercer vs. Florida Gulf Coast (ESPN2, 2 p.m.) in the Atlantic Sun championship, Saint Louis at Massachusetts (CBS Sports, 2 p.m.), Delaware vs. Notheastern (NBC Sports, 2:30 p.m.) in the CAA tournament semifinal, La Salle at Saint Joseph’s (CBS Sports, 4 p.m.), Michigan State at Ohio State (CBS, 4:30 p.m.) and Boston College at North Carolina State (ESPNU, 6 p.m.).
In women’s games it’s Iowa vs. Nebraska (ESPN, 1 p.m.) in the Big Ten championship, Tennessee vs. Kentucky (ESPN, 3:30 p.m.) in the SEC championship and Notre Dame vs. Duke (ESPN, 7 p.m.) in the ACC championship.
Sunday Talk
ABC: Sens. Paul Rand and Ted Cruz, Reps. Mike Rogers and Joaquin Castro, former White House Adviser David Plouffe. CBS: Dick Cheney, James Baker, Rep. Paul Ryan, retired Gen. Jim Jones. NBC: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Rep.Karen Bass, Deputy National Security Adviser Tony Blinken. CNN: Blinken, Luthuanian Ambassador to the U.S. Zygimantas Pavilionis, Estonian Ambassador to the U.S. Marina Kaljurand, former Gov. Charlie Crist. Fox News: Paul, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates, former Sen. Rick Santorum, former Rep. Jan Harman.