TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Heroes," 8 p.m., NBC. The heroes have been trying to avert the awful prophesy that Isaac painted — a nuclear explosion in New York City. Last week, everything went wrong. Peter and Claire tried to leave the city but failed. Nathan was elected after Micah was forced to tamper with the voting machines. Hiro prepared for battle — then learned Ando had taken the sword to face Sylar alone. There was much more in a messy hour that included the apparent deaths of Linderman, Hawkins and Ted. The survivors gather at Kirby Plaza, trying to prevent a disaster.

"The Bachelor," 8 p.m., ABC. It's time for Dr. Andy Baldwin, a Navy lieutenant in Hawai'i, to make his decision. Both women are currently Californians. Bevin, 28, is a clinic research coordinator in Palo Alto; Tessa, 26, is a social worker in San Francisco. He takes them to his parents' home in Lancaster, Pa., then to Hawai'i for the decision.

OF NOTE

"Dancing With the Stars," 7 p.m., ABC. Here's the final competition with three celebrities left. Tomorrow, one of them — boxer Laila Ali, speed-skater Apolo Anton Ohno or singer Joey Fatone — will be champion.

"24," 7 p.m., Fox. Here's yet another big season finale. Jack scrambles to avoid what could become a war between the U.S. and Russia.

"Two and a Half Men," 7 p.m., CBS. With everyone else having thunder shocks tonight, CBS wisely ended its seasons early. Here, it has four reruns of a show that is sometimes tacky but usually fun. In the first, Alan has insomnia and tries a psychiatrist (Jane Lynch). In the second, he secretly dates Berta's daughter (Sara Rue). In the third, Charlie's lover wants to run the house. In the fourth, Jake says he hears his mom and her fiance having sex.

"American Experience," 9 p.m., PBS. In the 1850s, a huge effort began to lay a trans-Atlantic cable. They finally succeeded in 1866, launching an era of communication. That story is well told in this interesting rerun.

"CSI: Miami," 9 p.m., CBS. In this rerun, a woman faces trial for terrorism. She flees, after learning terrorists have marked her for assassination. The team tries to get her before the terrorists do.

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent," 9 p.m., NBC. Shortly after breaking up a robbery, a police recruit is killed. That gets complicated further, because his girlfriend is missing. Also, Logan dates a neighbor, who promptly is found dead.