TODAY'S MUST-SEE

"The Wire," 6 p.m. (repeating at 8:05 p.m.), HBO. When McNulty began his grand scheme, it seemed absurd. He was going to get extra police funding, by faking the existence of a serial killer. Somehow, it worked. Last week, a police raid grabbed drug lords that had seemed untouchable. The price could be steep. Last week, two key people discovered McNulty's scam. Will this lead to prison time? Will it compromise all the arrests? And what happens to the newspaper reporter who has been claiming he conversed with a killer who doesn't exist? Somehow, this sometimes-brilliant series tonight manages to wrap up all of those points and more. At times, "Wire" creator David Simon goes overboard in its cynicism. His views of a newspaper — a field I've always found to be earnestly obsessed with truth and fairness — seem over the top. Still, we must credit him for consistency. Simon's vision flows together superbly, creating a remarkable finish to what has been a great series.

TODAY'S MIGHT-SEE

"Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," 7 p.m., and "Oprah's Big Give," 8 p.m., both ABC. Here are two good-hearted reality shows, offering new hours on a night stuffed with reruns. Of the two, we vastly prefer "Makeover," because it's more about doing and less about fundraising. Tonight, that focuses on a blended family in West Virginia. The parents coach football, basketball and cheerleading and care for mentally challenged adults, while raising five kids in a modest home. Tonight, the crew fixes up the home, while the family plays in Disney World.

OF NOTE

"Merlin" (1998), 6-10 p.m., Ion — Channel 27. Two miniseries overlap, both from producer Robert Halmi. This one was on NBC, focusing on King Arthur's wizard. Lots of people are in support, including Martin Short, Isabella Rossellini and Miranda Richardson.

"Top 100 Most Outrageous Moments," 6-8 p.m., NBC. Lots of mistakes and slips and such are thrown together. Right now, Sundays aren't NBC's most distinguished night.

"The Simpsons," 8 p.m., Fox. Here's a takeoff on the "Cheaters" TV show. Homer is cheating on his diet, so Marge asks a reality show to catch him.

"Everybody Hates Chris" (8 p.m.) and "Aliens in America" (8:30), both CW/KHON, digital 93. Remember that these two above-average shows now have new episodes on Sunday. Tonight, Chris acts like a bad-attitude rapper, to impress a girl. In "Aliens," Justin says his career goal is to be a househusband; his dad is not pleased.

"Law & Order," 8 p.m., NBC. This is why broadcast networks have trouble getting people to commit to a new series: NBC heavily pushed "quarterlife," asking viewers to get involved in the lives of six 20-something characters. Then, after exactly one episode, it pulled it. (By now, viewers have learned that cable can be trusted to stick with a show, bad or good.) Tossed in tonight is a rerun, with Cyrus Lupo (Jeremy Sisto) back from overseas to investigate his brother's suicide. Sisto is excellent; the story, focusing on an assisted suicide doctor, is merely overwrought.

"Unhitched," 9:30 p.m., Fox. Four friends continue to confront dating disasters. Tonight's opening bit is fairly funny, but things soon deteriorate. Still, we did appreciate the notion of a nightclub bouncer going to the movies; we also liked a truly unique form of serenade.

"Dexter," 9 p.m., CBS. This serial killer knows way too much about Dexter. Now he's scattering body parts in locations key to Dexter's childhood.

"Dirt," 7 p.m. (repeating 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.), FX. The good news is that the series finally gets away from its overwrought melodrama of late; there are even bits of humor. And the bad: Both stories are simply borrowed from the news. One has Elizabeth Harnois (of "Point Pleasant" and "One Tree Hill") as a Paris Hilton type, sent to jail; the other merges the Alec Baldwin and David Hasselhoff stories.

"Breaking Bad," 7 p.m. (repeating 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.), AMC. In this excellent series, Walt is still adjusting to the fact that he uses his chemistry skills to run a meth lab. Tonight, he's affected by a PTA meeting. Also, his wife gets an unusual gift at a baby shower. And his shaky partner is thinking of selling the house where they killed one person and dismembered a body.