TV’s best bets: Marine kills teen at Mexican border
Tonight’s must-see
PBS’ “P.O.V.: The Ballad of Esequiel Hernandez,” 10 p.m., KUID and KCDT.
In 1997, Marines were sent to the Mexican border, seeking drug smugglers. Then things went terribly wrong.
Esequiel Hernandez, a high school student, was herding his family’s goats. With his hunting rifle, he fired two shots in the direction of four Marines; a Marine shot and killed him.
Marines said they were acting in self-defense; locals said Hernandez probably didn’t even see the camouflaged men, more than 200 yards away.
Kieran Fitzgerald has carefully crafted this hour, showing empathy for both sides. All of the Marines (except the shooter, who declined) are interviewed. For at least one, life crumbled afterward.
Tonight’s must-see
“Hell’s Kitchen” season-finale, 9 p.m., Fox.
Last week, Gordon Ramsay threw the last challenge at his mismatched finalists – Louis Petrozza, 47, a catering director, and Christina Machamer, 25, a culinary student. Tonight he picks a winner.
Other choices include
“Moment of Truth,” 8 p.m., Fox. After promising last week would be the summer finale, Fox keeps “Truth” around.
“The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” 8 p.m., Family. In last week’s debut, we learned that Amy (superbly played by Shailene Woodley) is pregnant after having sex for the first time. She hasn’t told Ricky, the lecherous guy she met in band camp.
“Gracie’s Choice” (2004), 9-11 p.m., Lifetime. Kristen Bell and Anne Heche are terrific in this real-life story of a teen keeping her family together.
“America’s Got Talent,” 9 p.m., NBC. Auditions continue.
“Baldwin Hills,” 10 p.m., BET. The second season begins for this reality show, which follows black teens from a prosperous Los Angeles area. Some of last year’s regulars are back, including Sal, Staci, Gerren, Lor’Rena and Aunjel. We also meet new people, including Moriah, the basketball player who is Gerren’s ex-boyfriend.
“30 Days,” 10:05 p.m. (following a five-minute “Rescue Me” mini-sode), FX. Morgan Spurlock wraps up the brief, six-week season by spending a month on the sprawling Navajo reservation.