TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"House" season opener, 7 p.m., Fox. Television's best show booms back. This is "House" at its best, Dr. House at his worst.

The patient (played well by Christine Woods) is the assistant to a high-powered feminist. That brings lots of nasty comments that we would tolerate from no one else but House, a melancholy genius.

He also abuses his friend Wilson, who says he's leaving, and his talented staffers. One of them has some richly revealing moments.

"Lincoln Heights" season opener, 8 p.m., ABC Family. This far-flung drama finds a way to pull everyone together. There's a break-in at the Sutton home, just as Cassie planned snuggle time with her boyfriend. Soon, they're hiding and others converge.

"Lincoln Heights" even gets us to care strongly about the burglars. It's a strong start.

OF NOTE

"Biggest Loser: Families" season opener, 7-9 p.m., NBC. All of the duos are related. Bob Harper works with husband-wife duos, Jillian Michaels with parent-child duos. These trainers are now celebrities. They get a giddy response when they arrive to tell people they're on the show. Then the painful training begins. At times, "Biggest Loser" is excruciating.

"Wipeout" season finale, 7-8:30 p.m., ABC. Here are past highlights, plus new parts.

"90210," 7 p.m., CW (Oceanic Digital Channel 93). Brenda (Shannen Doherty) takes over directing the school musical.

"Big Brother" finale, 8 p.m., CBS. Tonight we learn who wins the $500,000. It will either be Memphis Garrett, 25, a Los Angeles bartender or Dan Gheesling, 24, of Dearborn, Mich., who teaches in a Catholic school.

"Gavin and Stacey," 2:40 p.m., BBC America. In a fun episode, everyone converges on a bridal shop.

"Fringe," 8 p.m., Fox. Not yet pregnant, a woman suddenly gives birth to a baby who leaps to adulthood. That sounds absurd, but this compelling show has an explanation. "Fringe" is way too gory and has thoroughly changed (and softened) Joshua Jackson's character. Still, it has sharp writing and superb acting.

"P.O.V.: Calaveraq Highway," 10 p.m., PBS. Taking their mother's ashes south, brothers get fresh perspectives on her tough life in Texas and Mexico. It's an involving documentary.

"The Shield," 7 p.m., FX. How desperate is Vic? Now he's supposed to steal guns from the police, for the mob. It's a strong hour, but not a believable one.