Tuning in: On TV this week.
Sunday May 23
Scott Turow's Reversible Errors (CBS, concludes May 25, both 9-11 p.m.): William H. Macy stars as a successful corporate lawyer assigned to a pro-bono, last-ditch appeal for a man on death row in this taut, engrossing law drama. The man pleaded guilty to the triple homicide but now disclaims them. When someone else comes forward to claim responsibility for the murders, the plot flips back on itself. Felicity Huffman (Macy's real-life wife) plays his love interest, an ex-judge herself who passed judgment on the case. Tom Selleck plays a sturdy tough/tender cop whose own love interest complicates his ethics.
And Along Came a Spider (Cinemax, 7-8 p.m.): This timely and terrible story concerns the murders of 16 Iranian "street women" who were lured by Saeed Hanaei into his own home when his wife and children were out. The "Spider Killings" drew controversy around the world, but nowhere more than in Iran. People who knew and worked with Hanaei speak of his "good work" cleaning up moral degeneracy. Strong stuff, not for everyone, but an important modern historical document for its insight into religious fanaticism and the treatment of women in Iran.
Design Rules (BBC America, 8-8:30 p.m.): The series première of this arty new decorating show hosted by designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen ("Changing Rooms") takes us into whole new decorating territory. He cuts to the basics of design using an experimental "design lab" as well as a typical room in an English home. The basics of design are universal: Principles of light, shape, texture, color can help achieve harmony, symmetry, rhythm, and balance. Without doubt, this is the best of all the design shows out there.
