TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Jericho," 7 p.m., CBS. After a long break, this series starts the second half of its season with a sensational hour. The series opened on the day Jake (Skeet Ulrich) returned to the little Kansas town where his dad is mayor. Then a far-off atomic blast was seen; everyone was startled — except the mysterious newcomer Hawkins (Lennie James). Now the show steps back for a crucial hour, viewing the days before the blast. We learn who Hawkins is, where Jake was, and what happened in the life of his ex-girlfriend Emily (Ashley Scott). These are fascinating hours. "Jericho" has evolved from a good show to a potentially great one.

"Lost," 9 p.m., ABC. Last week's odd-but-fascinating episode (which reruns at 8 p.m.) focused entirely on Desmond and ignored the rest of the story. So tonight starts where things ended previously. Kate and Sawyer are paddling back to their island with another escapee, Karl. Jack, still a captive, tries to help Juliet, who has been there against her will for more than three years.

OF NOTE

"American Idol," 7 p.m., Fox. On Tuesday, the 12 men performed and viewers had their first chance to vote. Now the 12 women get their turn. On Thursday, the field will be trimmed to 10 each.

"Friday Night Lights," 7 p.m., NBC. Deep in the playoffs, the Panthers don't need distractions. There are plenty, though. Tim battles with his dad; Matt learns that Julie (the coach's daughter) is ready for sex. Things get complicated when her mom sees him buying condoms.

"George Lopez," 7 p.m., ABC. After drinking too much, George wanders into a dream in which he's gay and marrying Ernie. This could have been a bad and overwrought episode, but the result is actually quite funny.

"Knights of Prosperity," 7:30 p.m., ABC. Roosevelt Butts has found a time when no security people are in Mick Jagger's apartment. Now the guys frolic there, looking at all the possibilities to steal ... until they accidentally lock themselves in the panic room.

"Criminal Minds," 8 p.m., CBS. The team is perplexed by a series of Houston murders that seem to have no pattern.

"The Marines," 9 p.m., PBS. This documentary visits the boot camp in Parris Island, S.C., to study the layers involved with being a Marine.

"Medium," 9 p.m., NBC. A dream leaves Allison fearing that her daughter Marie will die of leukemia in 20 years.