There's no better way to chill out in front of the TV than with "Frozen Planet," a breathtaking seven-part documentary series that provides an up-close-and-intimate view of wildlife in the Arctic and Antarctic.
A follow-up to the international nature hits "Planet Earth" (2006) and "Life" (2009), "Frozen Planet" was filmed over four years by camera crews who meticulously captured hours of spectacular footage amid icy terrain.
Episode 1, "The Ends of the Earth," introduces viewers to surfing penguins, courting polar bears and hunting whales. Alec Baldwin narrates. See it at 8 tonight on Discovery. Other TV picks for the week ahead.
• Tonight: Maybe Snow White (Ginnifer Goodwin) isn't the Miss Goody Two Shoes we thought she was. On "Once Upon a Time" tonight, her Storybrooke incarnation gets arrested in connection with Kathryn's murder. And in the fairy tale world, she sets out to kill the Evil Queen. (ABC) ... We certainly have no objection to the return of Michael J. Fox to the courtroom drama on "The Good Wife." (CBS) ... The bodies just keep piling up on "The Walking Dead," which wraps up its riveting second season with more death and gruesome zombie destruction. Our advice: Don't watch on a full stomach. (AMC)
• Monday: The glitzy cheese-fest known as "Dancing With the Stars" waltzes back into prime time as 12 new celebrities take to the ballroom floor. Among those hoping to avoid spraining their ankle or pulling a hamstring are Melissa Gilbert, Jaleel White, Gladys Knight, Martina Navratilova and Donald Driver. (ABC) ... After two long years, the young ladies of Rosewood finally come face-to-face with "A" on the season finale of "Pretty Little Liars." But before they meet their evil tormentor, they must endure another game of cat-and-mouse during a masquerade ball. (ABC Family)
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• Tuesday: What, no luau? On "The Biggest Loser," our remaining contestants head to Hawaii, where they'll be challenged to stick to their diets while on vacation. Oh, that's just mean. (NBC)
• Wednesday: In the new sitcom, "Bent," Amanda Peet stars as a single mom and no-nonsense lawyer, who hires a free-spirited contractor (David Walton) to redo her kitchen. Naturally, friction develops between these polar opposites -- along with some romantic sparks. (NBC)
• Thursday: After a highly successful sneak peek in January, the fantastical, but emotionally affecting drama, "Touch," settles in for its midseason run. Kiefer Sutherland stars as a single father struggling to make sense of his troubled son (David Mazouz), a mathematical savant who refuses to speak. (Fox) ... Are you on pins and needles for the season finale of "Project Runway All Stars"? Expect plenty of drama as the final three designers present their collections. (Lifetime)
• Friday: The Devil made him do it. On tonight's "Supernatural," Sam (Jared Padalecki) lands in a mental hospital after Lucifer (Mark Pellegrino) drives him mad. (The CW)
• Saturday: On the sitcom, "How to Rock," Kacey (Cymphonique Miller) gets pranked by Molly (Samantha Boscarino) at an inopportune time, so the band pulls a revenge prank. Unfortunately, it doesn't go quite as planned. (Nickelodeon)
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©2012 the Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, Calif.)
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