Mysteries Deepen in a Make or Break Episode of ABC's Emergence

It seems every year at least one network picks up a supernatural thriller in hopes that it will be the next Lost, yet few manage to capture a large enough audience to win a full first season order (let alone a second season renewal). With positive reviews and warm feelings for series star Allison Tolman (of Fargo fame), there was early hope that ABC's Emergence could be the show to buck this trend,  but with underwhelming ratings in its first two outings, we're getting into make-it-or-break it territory for the new series. Can this week's episode win more viewers and stave off the cancel bear?  

NEW EPISODE:  Terry O'Quinn —  Lost's John Locke himself —  joins the cast of Emergence in a recurring role tonight, playing an influential tech mogel being investigated by Jo (Allison Tolman).  Meanwhile, Alex (Donald Faison)  tries to decipher a radio frequency from the plane crash and Piper (Alexa Swinton) comes down with a mysterious illness. Watch the preview 10:00 PM ET on ABC

NEW EPISODE: Worlds collide on tonight's This is Us, which promises to bring some of the show's new characters together with the Pearsons. Also. that moment you've been wondering about from the trailer: Toby reveals his new slim physique to an absolutely shocked Kate. Watch the preview. 9:00 PM ET on NBC

COMEDY SPECIAL: Comedian Deon Cole is a familiar face to TV audiences thanks to his work with Conan O'Brien and a recurring role on Black-ish and Mixed-ish. In his first Netflix special, Deon Cole: Cole Hearted, Cole offers candid his takes on dating, Arbys, threesomes, and speeding tickets. Watch the preview. Streaming on Netflix

SEASON PREMIERE: The CW's ever expanding superhero slate welcomes back one of its original members, as The Flash returns for Season 6. Tonight, Barry faces an unspeakable loss, even as the team fights to prevent the total destruction of Central City. Watch the trailer 8:00 PM ET on The CW

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: If you're looking for a break from The Great Pumpkin, Netflix presents a new Halloween special for the kids in your life. Based on the hit book series, The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween follows Harold and George as they find new ways to celebrate every kid's favorite sugar-saturated holiday after their nemesis bans Halloween. Watch the preview. Streaming on Netflix

ALSO TONIGHT

• Finding Your Roots With Henry Louis Gates, Jr. kicks off its sixth season with Anjelica Houston and Isabella Rossellini learning more about their ancestral roots. 8:00 PM ET on PBS
• Mixed-ish goes back the origins of Rainbow's image issues, when a teacher's offhand advice for picture day results in troubling self-consciousness. 9:00 PM ET on ABC
• New Amsterdam finds Iggy investigating an illness that is sweeping the unit, even as Max faces down the board. 10:00 PM ET on NBC

Mike Attebery is Senior Editor at Primetimer and the author of seven mystery thrillers. Follow him on Twitter at @mikeattebery.