Don’t miss

‘Abbey’ road

Life after wartime affected the Crawley family of Downton Abbey in profound ways. The family nearly crumpled when their beloved Sybil (Jessica Brown Findlay) died shortly after giving birth to the family’s first grandchild. And Lord Robert (Hugh Bonneville) learned a thing or two about land management from the young upstarts in the family, Matthew (Dan Stevens) and Tom (Allen Leech). And maybe the family can hang on to Downton (though history is not on their side). Downstairs, Thomas the footman (Rob James-Collier) was outed, but jail time was averted when Bates (Brendan Coyle), just out of prison, blackmailed the evil O’Brien (Siobhan Finneran) and Lord Robert gave him a new job. The kitchen maids still hankered after the new men on staff, Alfred Nugent (Matt Milne) and Jimmy Kent (Ed Speleers). Overseeing everything: the kindly Mrs. Hughes (Phyllis Logan), the censorious Carson (Jim Carter) and the astringent Dowager Countess (Maggie Smith, pictured). You won’t forget the last two minutes.

DOWNTON ABBEY

Today, 9 p.m., PBS

Reagan shooting

When an assassin attempts to kill President Reagan, Phillip (Matthew Rhys, above right) and Elizabeth (Keri Russell) scramble to handle the fallout within the KGB. Meanwhile, FBI agent Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich) pressures his source within the Rezidentura to find out if the KGB was responsible for the attempted hit.

THE AMERICANS

Wednesday, 10 p.m., FX

Blue note in God’s house

The bluesy Sister Rosetta Tharpe began singing gospel music in the late 1930s. Throughout her career, her independent streak caused her Christian beliefs to be questioned by churchgoers.

Unlike other gospel singers, Tharpe occasionally performed the blues in juke joints, eliciting censure from the sacred community. However, her emotive singing and powerful guitar playing, exemplified by “Down By the Riverside” influenced the likes of Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Little Richard. In this “American Masters” special, members of the Dixie Hummingbirds recall Tharpe’s heyday.

SISTER ROSETTA THARPE: THE GODMOTHER OF rock & roll

Friday, 9 p.m., PBS

It’s Mark Harmon’s world

Just renewed for another season, “NCIS” is the undisputed most- popular scripted series on television, third year in a row. And that’s no hype; while basic cable juggles the numbers to make their most modest efforts look like “hits,” the ratings for the CBS show do not lie.

This week, Director Vance (Rocky Carroll, above right) discovers devastating personal information while on leave from NCIS while still grieving the loss of his wife and mother of children. Greg Germann (”Ally McBeal”) guest stars as Deputy Director Jerome Craig. Starring Mark Harmon and Michael Weatherly.

NCIS

Tuesday, 8 p.m., CBS

Shades of ‘Seinfeld’

You can almost picture Jerry and the gang getting all wrapped up in this plot on “New Girl.” When Schmidt (Max Greenfield) discovers a previously unknown, yet highly coveted parking spot, Jess (Zooey Deschanel, below left) and the roommates battle it out to see who will get to use it. Meanwhile, Winston (Lamorne Morris) has a hard time finding a condom when he gets an impromptu invitation from Daisy (guest star Brenda Song). With Jake Johnson.

NEW GIRL

Tuesday, 9 p.m., Fox

‘Wife’ on trial

Now that “Downton Abbey” is ending its triumphant third season, maybe “The Good Wife” can regain some lost ground. In this week’s episode, office politics come to a head when Will (Josh Charles) and Diane (Christina Baranski) ask Alicia (Julianna Margulies) and Cary (Matt Czuchry) to face off in a mock trial. Things get rather heated, apparently. Meanwhile, Eli (Alan Cumming), under investigation from the Justice Department, attempts to hang on to his management role in Peter’s campaign. Co-starring T.R. Knight and Carrie Preston as that nutty lawyer Elsbeth.

THE GOOD WIFE

Today, 9 p.m., CBS