‘Corpse’ examines peat-bog finds
Every “CSI” episode teaches us that death shall have no dominion over forensic science. And series like “Secrets of the Dead” demonstrate that even the moldiest cadaver can contain a smorgasbord of historical information.
So what happens when researchers discover dead bodies that are both prehistoric and nearly pristine?
“The Perfect Corpse” on “Nova” (7 p.m., KSPS) looks at bodies discovered in Ireland’s waterlogged peat bogs. The damp bogs’ chemical composition has left the bodies in perfect condition, even after thousands of years.
Unlike dusty mummies or old bones, these waterlogged Irishmen retain their soft skin. Details like fingerprints and even skin pores are visible under magnification.
It seems our old friends did not meet a pleasant end. Archaeologists, historians and scientists collaborate to determine whether they met with simple foul play or whether they could have been the unlucky victims of a religious sacrifice intended to appease ancient gods now lost to history.
A medical detective story of a more contemporary sort takes place on “House” (9 p.m., Fox). When a woman (Julie Warner) is admitted for muscle tics, House’s team suspects her fertility treatments may be contributing to her ailment.
Other highlights
Wannabes are Simon-ized on “American Idol” (8 p.m., Fox).
Emily invites Luke to dinner on “Gilmore Girls” (8 p.m., WB)
On back-to-back episodes of “Scrubs” (NBC), a new love interest (9 p.m.), with a quirk (9:30 p.m.).
“Frontline” (9 p.m., KSPS) examines the trafficking of women from the former Soviet Union.
An incentive to come clean on “Crumbs” (9:30 p.m., ABC).
Exotic dancers expire under mysterious circumstances on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).
Michael J. Fox guest-stars on “Boston Legal” (10 p.m., ABC).
Kavanaugh tries to plant a wiretap in the clubhouse on “The Shield” (10 p.m., FX).
“Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (10 p.m., HBO) profiles White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.
Series notes
An auto chop shop yields grisly results on “NCIS” (8 p.m., CBS) … No one watches “Fear Factor” (8 p.m., NBC) … On two episodes of “According to Jim” (ABC), a birthday spat (8 p.m.), and a chip on both shoulders (9 p.m.) … An invitation to entertain the troops on “Rodney” (8:30 p.m., ABC) … A spooky, small-town homicide on “Criminal Minds” (9 p.m., CBS) … New dreams and new clues on “Supernatural” (9 p.m., WB, TV) … Music-video madness on “Love Monkey” (10 p.m., CBS).