Primetime Smackdown, Wednesday 10/15

Preston Barta // Critic

Another day, another smackdown. What should you watch, and does it line up with what we’re watching?

8 PM

ARROW (CW)

“Sara” – Lance calls the Arrow when another archer appears in town and starts skewering businessmen. Diggle uses A.R.G.U.S. to find the archer’s identity; he is a man named Simon Lacroix, who goes by the codename Komodo. However, the team hits a rough patch with the mission and gets help from a surprising source – Laurel. Meanwhile, Oliver begins to worry that he hasn’t heard from Thea, which forces Roy to tell him the truth about why she left town. Ray Palmer pursues Felicity. In the flashback, Maseo tells Oliver that Amanda Waller has ordered his first kill. As Oliver looks down the scope of the rifle, he sees the target is his best friend, Tommy. Despite her promise to her sister, Laurel debates sharing a secret about Sara with Lance.

VS

Nothing. With the next episode of THE MIDDLE not airing until next week, there’s nowhere to turn besides ARROW, which is how it should be anyhow.

Also airing: HELL’S KITCHEN (FOX), THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA (NBC), NATURE (PBS), SURVIVOR (CBS)

9PM

MODERN FAMILY (ABC)

“Marco Polo” – The Dunphys move into a cramped hotel room while their house is getting treated for mold and Phil sees this as an opportunity to spend some quality time together but Claire and the kids are less than enthused. Gloria becomes over protective when Manny starts dating an older, popular girl, and Cameron is under a lot of pressure to maintain his team’s winning streak but when he realizes Mitchell may be a jinx.

VS

RED BAND SOCIETY (FOX)

“So Tell Me What You Want What You Really Really Want” – Details of Charlie’s accident are revealed, which creates a moral dilemma for Jackson. Meanwhile, Jordi gets a taste of freedom.

Winner: Tonight’s episode of MODERN FAMILY is one of the funniest episodes of the season. So, again for the second week in a row, keep it ABC for this time slot.

Also airing: BLACK-ISH (ABC) at 9:30PM, CRIMINAL MINDS (CBS), LAW & ORDER: SVU (NBC), LEGENDS (TNT),

10 PM

AMERICAN HORROR STORY: FREAK SHOW (FX)

“Massacres and Matinees” – A citywide curfew threatens to shut down the Freak Show. A strongman from Ethel’s troubled past arrives at camp. Gloria arranges a terrifying play date for Dandy. The Tattler Twins reveal a talent that could knock Elsa from the spotlight.

VS

KEY & PEELE (Comedy Central) at 10:30 p.m.

“Slap-Ass: In Recovery” – A baseball player deals with his addiction to slapping ass, a mobster takes vengeance on someone who crossed him, and Steve Urkel drives a man insane.

Winner: It shown be known from here on out, during this 10 p.m. slot, we’re always going to go with AMERICAN HORROR STORY. It’s just a show that you won’t stop thinking and talking about after seeing it. Something messed up / unforgettable happens nearly every episode. This week, you can count on the clown (likely to be a very popular Halloween costume).

Also airing: THE LEAGUE (FXX), SOUTH PARK (Comedy Central), NASHVILLE (NBC), TEEN MOM 2 (MTV), ALI G: REZURECTION (FXX) at 10:30 p.m.

*all times are ET