TONIGHT'S MUST SEES

“TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF THE EARTH,” 3-4:15 P.M., BBC AMERICA; CONTINUES THROUGH FRIDAY

In Monday's opener (which repeats today at 2 p.m.), children universally froze, then chanted. Government officials secretly took instructions from an other-worldly force — and tried to kill the show's heroes, in the Torchwood unit; there was a spectacular explosion.
Now Gwen and her husband flee. She's a skillful ex-cop; he's a layman, scrambling to keep up.
Meanwhile, Captain Jack (incapable of dying) is captive. That leads to the one false note — an impossible rescue attempt — in an otherwise great episode.

Both episodes repeat throughout the week, so check the listings for Oceanic Digital Channel 341 for other showtimes.

“RUBY & THE ROCKITS” DEBUT, 8:30 P.M., ABC FAMILY, REPEATS AT 9

Shaun Cassidy is a smart, savvy writer and producer. Now — after the intensity of his “Invasion” series on ABC — he has a comedy.
Patrick and David Cassidy (Shaun's brother and half-brother) play a former rock duo. Now Patrick sells cars and David does casino gigs – until his teen daughter Ruby (Alexa Vega) shows up.
Credit David for some fun self-parody – and Shaun for slyly inserting his family into ABC Family.

TONIGHT'S ALTERNATIVE

“HELL'S KITCHEN” SEASON-OPENER, 7-9 P.M., FOX

For four seasons, Gordon Ramsay has badgered and bullied young chefs.
Now the show's solution is to have contestants just as abrasive as he is. By the end of the night, contestants are threatening fistfights with each other and with Ramsay. It's a nasty start.

For more small screen suggestions and stories by television writer Mike Hughes, visit mikehughes.tv.