‘Boudica’ tells a timeless tale
A screenwriter trying to combine “Xena: Warrior Princess” with “Braveheart” could not have invented a story more compelling than “Warrior Queen Boudica” (8 p.m., History).
A true tale of first-century Britons rebelling against Roman occupation, “Boudica” combines interview footage, computer graphics and often-rousing battle-scene re-enactments.
After Caesar’s legions first occupied Britain, tribes, including Boudica’s Iceni people, cut deals with Rome that allowed them to retain their sovereignty, dignity and ancient ways. But after the death of Boudica’s royal husband, the Romans took a tougher stance with the Iceni.
The queen raised an army of 70,000 that quickly routed a local Roman force and burned several cities, including ancient London, to the ground.
Calling on historical sources ancient and modern, this tale of cultural clashes, occupation and insurgency resonates to this very day.
A very special “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” (12:30 a.m., NBC) offers highlights of his “state visit” to Finland. O’Brien has fixated on a supposed resemblance to Finland President Tarja Halonen.
Laura (Mary McDonnell) contemplates stealing the election to defeat a Cylon collaborator on the 90-minute season finale of “Battlestar Galactica” (10 p.m., Sci Fi)
The Discovery Channel kicks off three nights of survival-themed programming, beginning with “I Shouldn’t Be Alive: Trapped by a Boulder” (9 p.m.) and “Ultimate Survival” (10 p.m.).
Denise Richards (“Starship Troopers”) turns to the “Dog Whisperer” (8 p.m., National Geographic) to restore domestic tranquility.
Other highlights
An angry magician learns about his less-than-stellar exit on “Ghost Whisperer” (8 p.m., CBS)
‘Tweens in bright-colored clothes go on spring break in the hourlong “Zoey 101” (8 p.m., Nickelodeon), starring Jamie Lynn Spears.
Cliques clash in the singing-and-dancing 2006 bauble “High School Musical” (8 p.m., Disney).
An ex-con is accused of an explosive break-in on “Close to Home” (9 p.m., CBS).
A petty thief offers up a big secret “Las Vegas” (9 p.m., NBC).
A cop-killing case returns Conti to his old stomping grounds on “In Justice” (9 p.m., ABC).
A psychic falls under suspicion on “Numb3rs” (10 p.m., CBS).
A teen killer is charged as an adult on “Conviction” (10 p.m., NBC).
Scheduled on “20/20” (10 p.m., ABC): heavy drinking on campus; an interview with Macaulay Culkin.
Adrian raises Novocain after he suspects a dentist of murder on “Monk” (10 p.m., USA).
“True Grit” (10 p.m., CMT) profiles NASCAR pioneer Junior Johnson.