There’s a mystery for every type of person this week as the summer heats up:
Leverage
Looking for more of an escapist caper than a seriously depressing murder case? Look up the “Leverage” team, who tonight pulls a fast one on a vicious publicist played by the talented Michael Gladis, who perfected the slick, hanger-on shtick as copywriter Paul Kinsey on AMC’s “Mad Men.”
* Today, 9 p.m., TNT
Masterpiece!
If you enjoy watching your crime-solvers while sitting next to your 76-year-old great aunt, you’re in luck — as Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple (Julia McKenzie) returns with another chapter of her latest mystery. The last installment was introduced more than a year ago, which would appear to be a poor choice. If you’re trying to enjoy cracking the case yourself, it’s a little hard to follow the clues when you have to remember them for more than a year.
* Today, 9 p.m., PBS
True Blood
It’s been a tamer and more complicated season on the gothic mystery “True Blood” so far, and Mama can’t believe the smorgasbord of supernatural types vying for the spotlight. This week, werewolf Alcide (Joe Manganiello) helps Sookie (Anna Paquin) hunt for vampire Eric, who’s disappeared after a disturbing encounter with the witch Marnie (Fiona Shaw). Speaking of Marnie, she is searching for guidance to break a spell. Bill (Stephen Moyer) discovers a common bond with the Bellefleurs.
* Today, 9 p.m., HBO
Falling Skies
Still trying to figure out what’s the deal with the Battlestar Galactica-esque invaders? Tonight starts a two-parter that will mostly leave you wondering just how gullible Tom Mason (Noah Wyle) and the rest of the 2nd Massachusetts are, and how they managed to survive their hellish world this long.
* Today, 10 p.m., TNT
Warehouse 13
This week launches the third season of “Warehouse 13,” which follows a secret service team of misfit investigators and their nerdy sidekicks. Last season left us wondering what would become of the team after straight-arrow Myka (Joanne Kelly) quit because she blamed herself for trusting the grief-stricken and devious H. G. Wells (Jaime Murray), who seems likely to get a spinoff series.
Mama’s not so sure about the logic behind partnering Pete (Eddie McClintock) with new guy Steve Jinks (Aaron Ashmore, the Jimmy Olsen from “Smallville”), as this is one of the few female-friendly shows on Syfy that features strong, smart women instead of packs of sweaty, ghost-hunting nerds.
* Monday, 9 p.m., Syfy
Torchwood
For those who like their mysteries wrapped in an action movie, last week’s premiere introduced us to the Torchwood Institute — in case you didn’t follow the first three seasons when it aired on the BBC America. The 10-episode season commenced with a special effects-filled romp. This week a few hand-to-hand combat scenes comprise the action, which allows more time for the show’s trademark humor.
However, the highlight of this episode is Bill Pullman’s detestable Oswald Danes, a murderer who was scheduled to be executed on the first day no one died. His turn as a hateful monster only becomes more revolting, and Pullman proves that he is among the most capable actors on TV. Doesn’t he deserve his own series? That has to be the reason he took the part, right?
* Friday, 8 p.m., Starz