Gannett News Service

Must-see

D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear (9-11 p.m., USA Network.)

A year ago the search for the sniper in the Washington, D.C., area riveted the nation.

This was a compelling story - one that didn't need any embellishing. So this film wisely plays it straight.

The result is crisp and involving. Tom McLoughlin has directed it sharply and cast it perfectly.

Charles Dutton stars as Charles Moose, the Montgomery County (Md.) police chief who led the investigation. Here is a brilliant actor - winner of two Tonys - who can capture moments of rage and of human desperation.

Bobby Hosea and Jay O. Sanders quietly underplay their respective roles as the shooting suspect, John Muhammad, and the county executive Douglas Duncan. Don't expect any histrionics here. Instead, we get a sharp and intelligent view of people under pressure.

Other shows worth watching

Joan of Arcadia (8 p.m., Channels 12, 7). God tells Joan to build a boat. Ever since Noah's time, it's been wise to follow that suggestion.

Reba, (8 p.m., Channel 64). Reba wants to take her young son-in-law to a communications workshop, Martin Mull guests.

The George Lopez Show, (8 p.m., Channels 9, 2) Carmen ( Masiela Lusha) finally has a boyfriend who meets her father's approval. Naturally, he turns out to be no great catch.

Pulp Fiction (8 p.m., HBO). Already excited about Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill movie, buffs can now savor the film that made Tarantino famous. It combines a bracing style and a plot that skillfully weaves its violent story lines and, since it's on HBO, it means it hasn't been censored or cut.

JAG, (9 p.m., Channels 12, 7). A Marine faces charges, after his mistake led to the deaths of two soldiers in Iraq.

Hope & Faith, (9 p.m., Channels 9, 2) It turns out that Faith (Kelly Ripa) wasn't merely dumped from her role on a TV show. She also managed to set fire to the studio. She gets a job to pay for the damages.

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (10 p.m., Channels 5, 22). A woman has been murdered while probing child pornography on the Internet. Now Stabler investigates the case and scrambles to find a missing 14-year-old girl.