TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Lost" season-opener, 8 p.m., ABC. Last season ended in mid-crisis. To get his son back, Michael led Jack, Kate and Sawyer into a trap. Now all three are captives of The Others and unsure of what comes next. Flashbacks view Jack's life, including his dad (John Terry) and his love interest (Julie Bowen).

"The Nine" debut, 9 p.m., ABC. As the show begins we meet nine people who have little in common. There's a tough cop, a warm social worker, a timid banker, a cocky doctor, a steel-minded prosecutor and more. Then all are entangled in a 52-hour hostage crisis. Some want to return to their old lives. Some can't. One man, ignored throughout his life, basks in his new attention. That role is beautifully played by John Billingsley who was the eccentric Dr. Phlox on "Star Trek: Enterprise." He's part of a great cast with subtle work by Tim Daly, Kim Raver, Scott Wolf, Jessica Collins and more. Most surprising is Chi McBride. A giant figure who dominated "Boston Public," he recedes beautifully into the meek teller. That's one sign of a well-made show.

OF NOTE

"Jericho," 7 p.m., CBS. As the rain stops, people emerge from their shelter and worry about what happens next. Rumors spread about the nuclear attacks that hit big cities. Should people go look or cling to their small-town world?

"Bones," 7 p.m., Fox. This is ESPN's night for baseball playoffs, so Fox has transplanted episodes of this show and "House." Here, Booth and Brennan probe a hotel explosion. A Colombian judge may have been the target.

"House," 8 p.m., Fox. In a rerun House helps a teen who is a Hurricane Katrina survivor.

"Kidnapped," 9 p.m., NBC. The family is told to go ahead with its daily life and not tell people about the kidnapping. That includes proceeding with the annual charity ball.

"CSI: NY," 9 p.m., CBS. On a blazing-hot day, a marathon runner dies with signs of frostbite. Foul play is suspected.