The A Word
9pm, BBC One
Dramas as nuanced as The A Word don’t come along too often and must be cherished. Centred on a specific issue, but not at the expense of characters or narrative, it honestly shows people who are “a bundle of anxieties” without descending into irredeemable darkness. Season two ends with Joe (Max Vento) being encouraged to perform at his old school’s end-of-year show, an emotional flashpoint that brings out just the right mix of pain and hope. More please. Jack Seale
Rick Stein’s Road to Mexico
9pm, BBC Two
Continuing his South American journey, Stein reaches Mexico City. He acknowledges the pollution and squalor of the place, but all that is shunned in favour of an exploration of the city’s pockets of elegant beauty and gastronomy. Stein samples pulque, an alcopop-type drink, visits floating vegetable gardens then travels on to Puebla, which brims with historical significance and boasts a fine meat stew. Pure pleasantness. David Stubbs
The World’s Most Expensive Presents
9pm, Channel 4
If you’re wondering how you’re going to budget this Christmas, watching people for whom money is no object buy lavish gifts will be just the tonic. Of course, the people they’re buying for already have everything, so a gold-plated bike worth £250,000 is on the list. This show goes behind the scenes to find out who makes and sells these presents. How do you persuade someone to part with 40 grand for a ballgown for their dog? Hannah Verdier
Motherland
10pm, BBC Two
After five episodes of The Exquisite Martyrdom of Anna Maxwell Martin, the appalling Julia has finally sorted out her childcare issues (yes, apparently furiously loaded middle-class residents of NW6 can’t just chuck loads of money at the problem, whenever) in the series finale. But is supernanny Lindsey as super as she seems? Meanwhile, Amanda fronts out Squaddiegate in style. All this sudden character depth seems a bit late in the day, but it’s welcome anyway. Ali Catterall
Finding Me a Family
10pm, Channel 4
It is not hugely surprising that American “adoption activity days” have attracted controversy since being introduced to the UK. The idea, in a nutshell, is that groups of kids who are struggling to find families get to meet potential adoptive parents at playgroup-style meet-and-greets. This series offers a sympathetic look at the process; it may be awkward in the extreme for both parties but, we learn, these events can change lives. Sophie Harris
Sick Note
10pm, Sky1
The final episode of the dark Sky sitcom starring Rupert Grint, and Daniel’s fortress of fibs is finally collapsing. With the treatment for his supposed symptoms providing some unexpected side-effects, could the mysterious figures he is experiencing be more than hallucinations? After all, it looks as if our witless Walter White-alike might ultimately be broken by bad news from Officer Hayward. Could finally telling the truth provide any sense of salvation? Mark Gibbings-Jones
Passions: I Hate Jane Austen
9pm, Sky Arts
It seems grimly typical that, when given the opportunity to enthuse about some art, music or literature that elevates his soul, Giles Coren has chosen to decry something instead. It’s chops like these that get you the presenter’s gig on a prime time arts show, right? Coren closes this series by taking a machete to the sacred cow that is Jane Austen with literature professor John Mullan sticking up for the feted scribe. Phil Harrison
Film choice
Apocalypto (Mel Gibson, 2006) 1.05am, Film4
Talk about a rumble in the jungle! Gibson’s visceral Mayan adventure has a young hunter – Rudy Youngblood’s Jaguar Paw – fleeing blood sacrifice and heading through the danger-filled woods for home, pursued by vengeful enemies. The characters speak in an authentic Mayan dialect, but it’s all about the heart-hammering action, which concludes with a stunning apocalyptic flourish. Paul Howlett
Live sport
Skiiing: The World Cup Coverage of the World Cup meeting from Arosa, Switzerland, featuring the ski cross discipline. 7pm, Eurosport 2
Premier League football: Huddersfield Town v Chelsea Coverage of the top-flight clash at John Smith’s Stadium. 7.15pm, BT Sport 1
Test cricket: New Zealand v West Indies The fifth day of the second Test from Seddon Park in Hamilton. 9.55pm, Sky Sports Cricket
