Power is coming back with a vengeance.
It seems as if no one can call on the sleek and efficient Power without invoking Fox megahit Empire. But while Empire is flashier -- and it helps that it's on a network available without cable -- Power has quietly and deftly built a devoted fan base of its own.
At its core, each show is a drama about family, one blood and one made. And oft times illegal. But while Empire serves up its drama with a hefty side of sauce, Power is deadly. And serious about it.
Omari Hardwick plays James "Ghost" St. Patrick, a drug runner trying his best to go legit. As season three begins, he's left his ride-or-die wife and is trying to make a law-abiding go of it with his first love, Angela (Lela Loren). Love hurts: Angela is an assistant U.S. attorney -- and she's on his case.
As in any series with ties to a lawless underworld, though, those he's left behind in the game have other notions. You've been warned: The first three episodes contain enough drama for an entire season.
Power returns with a 10-episode season July 17 at 8 p.m. on Starz.
SUNDAY
Knight Rider Birthday Marathon: David Hasselhoff will celebrate his birthday by hosting a 10-hour marathon of one of his iconic roles. The network carries the show on weekday afternoons. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on El Rey Network
Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports Awards: NFL quarterback Russell Wilson will be master of ceremonies for this slimy, happy, fun time. Kobe Bryant will receive the Legend Award. 7 p.m. Nick
Vice Principals: After their longtime principal (Bill Murray) retires, Danny McBride and Walton Goggins (!) jockey for the job only to lose it to an outsider (Kimberly Hebert Gregory). Of course, that means they're going to try to take her down. 9:30 p.m. HBO
MONDAY
The Bachelorette: JoJo goes on hometown dates with the finalists. 7 p.m. ABC
So You Think You Can Dance: The top 10 dance and then one goes home. 7 p.m. Fox
TUESDAY
Containment: Will there be a cure? For the show, yes. This is the season-ender. 8 p.m. CW
WWE SmackDown: The organization holds a draft. 7 p.m. USA
America's Got Talent: "The Judge Cuts" go deeper to get to the final 36 contestants in the first of the week's 3 shows. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on NBC
WEDNESDAY
Mr. Robot: The Emmy-nominated show continues its exercise in paranoia. 9 p.m. USA
THURSDAY
Live From Comic-Con: Will Arnett (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) will host this recap every night of the convention in San Diego, Calif. 7 p.m. Syfy
Bones: The team encounters a serial killer from earlier this year in the season finale. 7 p.m. Fox
Queen of the South: Nobody knows the trouble she's seen. Teresa is going through it. 9 p.m. USA
The 2016 Republican Convention: Presumptive nominee Donald Trump is scheduled to make his acceptance speech. 7 p.m. PBS and other networks; 9 p.m. ABC, NBC
FRIDAY
Elena of Avalor: She rules -- after being in suspended animation for 41 years. Disney introduces its first Latina princess, who rules a fantastical kingdom rooted in Latin traditions. 6 p.m. Disney Channel
SATURDAY
Hell on Wheels: We knew it would come to this. The rail lines finally merge in the series finale. 8 p.m. AMC
This week in home entertainment
Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice wasn't as well-received as DC and Warner Bros. might have hoped when it came to theaters. But it was a nice enough setup for the eventual Justice League movie. Gal Gadot looked the part of Wonder Woman, and Ben Affleck was not a disappointment as Bruce Wayne, nor as Batman. This release features 30 extra minutes from the cutting-room floor and it's a must for those looking forward to the rest of the franchise. Aquaman, anyone?
This week also sees a re-release of Birds of Prey: The Complete Series. This series features some of the strong women characters from DC in a future Gotham City in which Batman is absent. Dina Meyer stars as a wheelchair-bound Barbara Gordon, who was Batgirl and eventually becomes Oracle. Mia Sara stars as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, on her way to becoming bad. But the best thing about this set is the animated adventures included.
Also out this week: The 100: The Complete Third Season; Bitten: The Final Season; Caillou: Caillou Goes for the Gold; Histeria: The Complete Series; iZombie: The Complete Second Season blu-ray; The Magicians: Season One; Miles Ahead; Orphan Black: Season Four; A Perfect Day; The Perfect Match; Person of Interest: The Complete Series; Royal Pains: Season 8; and Underdogs.
