TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"P.O.V.: 49 Up," 9 p.m., PBS. Back in 1964, the British film "7 Up" traced the thoughts and dreams of 7-year-olds from diverse backgrounds. Ever since, those kids' lives have been updated every seven years. As molded by director Michael Apted ("Coal Miner's Daughter"), they offer fascinating sociology and drama. At 49, many people remain in the roles dictated by the British class system. Upper-class kids grew into comfort; working-class kids found adequacy. More fascinating are the ones who made big changes. A quiet farm kid became an outgoing University of Wisconsin professor, married to a blonde beauty. A cheery boy became a homeless man, then semi-rebounded via politics. American viewers will have trouble with the accents, but "49 Up" is worth the effort.

"House," 8 p.m., Fox. House has trimmed to 10 would-be staffers. Teams compete divided by gender; also, we see Foreman at his new job.

OF NOTE

"Five Days," 5 p.m., HBO. This five-part miniseries catches key days in a missing-persons crisis. Last week, a woman left her car to buy flowers and never returned. Her two children wandered off; at the end of the hour, one was found. Tonight, there are some huge turning points. A brilliant cast is led by the talented David Oyelowo, as the husband and dad.

"Bones," 7 p.m., Fox. A grisly discovery leads to a probe of a sadomasochism club. Also, Angela is still trying to remember the name of her long-ago husband, so she can divorce him. She tries hypnosis.

"NCIS," 7 p.m., CBS. Gibbs (Mark Harmon) is working on a case with Lt. Mann (Susanna Thompson). That's complicated, because one of his ex-wives is a witness.

"Damages," 7 p.m., FX. The trial is wearing down Patty and Frobisher. Meanwhile, Ellen has key information but it would be risky to reveal it.

"Carpoolers," 7:30 p.m., ABC. Laird (Jerry O'Connell), the bachelor dentist, wants to borrow the wedding ring of Gracen (Fred Goss). This sparks repercussions from Gracen's wife (Faith Ford), in a moderately funny episode.

"Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," 9 p.m., NBC. Melissa Joan Hart plays a teacher whose 15-year-old student says he got a sexually transmitted disease from her. She accuses him of rape; investigators soon find dark secrets.