TODAY'S MUST-SEE

"True Blood," 6 p.m. (repeats 8:30 p.m.), HBO. Here is that rare show that keeps getting better. It's a vampire story, but it also brings deep layers of human emotion. Louisiana townspeople are upset by the fact that vampires (now content with synthetic blood) live among them. Last week's hour ended as Sookie, the sweet waitress, found her good-hearted grandmother brutally slain. The aftermath offers a perfect chance to define characters. Under the skilled touch of producer Alan Ball ("Six Feet Under"), that's done brilliantly.

OF NOTE

"Black Blizzard," 5 p.m., History Channel. In the 1930s, the American plains were pounded. Winds reached 100 mph; black clouds of dust choked, killed, blinded. Farmland was stripped; insects and disease followed. That hit an extreme on May 9, 1934. The winds dumped 12 million pounds of soil onto Chicago, with some dirt reaching New York. Here is a horror story, told by people (now in their 80s) who were there.

"Rock of Love Charm School" and "The Pickup Artist 2," 9 and 10 p.m., VH1. In one, Sharon Osbourne teaches charm to former "Rock of Love" contestants. In the other (so-so, at best), a guy called Mystery teaches the socially clumsy how to pick up women.

"Desperate Housewives," 8 p.m., ABC. Bree's daughter is back in the neighborhood, drawing quick criticism.

"Cold Case," 8 p.m., CBS. A 1964 murder case in Philadelphia has been linked to a civil rights effort in Mississippi.

"Masterpiece Contemporary: The Last Enemy," 8 p.m., PBS. The silent stalker finally speaks, telling Stephen about the conspiracy surrounding him. It's a strong, if perplexing, episode; three more remain.

"America at a Crossroads: The Trial of Saddam Hussein," 9 p.m., PBS. Quietly and painstakingly, this shows the efforts behind Saddam Hussein's trial. The idea was to demonstrate democracy and law; then things crumble. Lawyers were killed, judges were replaced, there was taunting immediately before the final execution.

"Entourage," 7 p.m., HBO. A so-so episode has Ari gambling on the golf course, in hopes of winning Vince a role.