TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Gossip Girl," 6 p.m., CW (Oceanic Digital Channel 93). After two so-so episodes, "Gossip Girl" finds a handy way for its characters to collide: There's a big power failure. Dan ends up in an elevator with Serena. His sister Jenny is at a workplace with a fashion designer who dislikes her. Then there's a party. Marcus is in a tricky triangle with Blair and Chuck. His stepmother, Catherine the duchess, is in another with Nate and Vanessa. A few of the twists are lame. ("I thought it was you. It was dark.") Still, this hour gives its characters fresh depth.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

"Where We Stand: America's Schools in the 21st Century," 10 p.m., PBS. Tackling a huge subject, this hour wisely focuses on the diverse state of Ohio. It follows a passionate principal and teacher in a low-income Cincinnati area. It ranges from a Chinese teacher in little Belpre to an innovative academy in Columbus. The examples, at least, are intriguing.

OF NOTE

"Dora the Explorer," 7:30 a.m., Nickelodeon. There are new episodes for the next four days. That starts with one in which Backpack plans to lead the parade and sing her song. (Yes, a singing backpack. This one is for kids.)

"Batman Begins" (2005), 7-10 p.m., ABC. Critics and fans tended to praise director Christopher Nolan's re-telling of the Batman story.

"The Closer," 9 p.m., TNT. The team races to stop a bomb scheme.

"Raising the Bar," 10 p.m., TNT. After two weeks of too-easy solutions, this show goes the opposite way. Jerry's friend is dangerous when he resists medication. It's beautifully written, but deeply frustrating.

"Weeds" season finale, 7 p.m., Showtime. After the federal drug people bring Nancy in for questioning, she needs to do some explaining to Esteban.

"Solo: Lost at Sea," 7 p.m., National Geographic Channel. Andrew McAuley, 39, tried to be the first person to kayak solo from Australia to New Zealand. His story was salvaged via a video camera he had mounted on the bow.