TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Chuck," 7 p.m., NBC. Bright, beautiful and lethal, Sarah Walker (Yvonne Strahovski) is a perfect spy in a perfect package. Now we get peeks at her imperfect teen years. She meets two people she knew in high school. One (Nicole Richie) was her tormenter. The result is typical "Chuck." The scenes at Buy More (Chuck's day job) are so-so, but the spy tale is great fun. There's humor, surprise, romance — and a dilly of a fight scene.

TONIGHT'S MIGHT-SEE

"Raising the Bar," 7 p.m., TNT. Charlie (superbly played by Jonathan Scarfe) has walked a precarious line. He's having an affair with the judge he works for (Jane Kaczmarek). But he's also gay, something he's kept secret. Now a lover he met (the excellent Wilson Cruz) is in jail and Charlie's in crisis. The court-case portions are weak, as usual. Charlie's scenes, however, are played with subtle and moving skill.

OF NOTE

"Ski Patrol" debut, 5 and 5:30 p.m., Tru TV. Here's a tough-job reality show that involves much more than making money. In both of these half-hours, a skier is in danger of paralysis. Set at Crystal Mountain, Wash., (with later episodes at Blue Mountain, Pa.), these episodes add dabs of romance, action and great scenery.

"Rita Rocks" debut, 5:30 p.m., Lifetime. Rita (Nicole Sullivan) has a likable husband, two daughters and a pleasant life. Still, she suspects something is missing; one answer is starting a garage band (literally). The result is an adequate situation comedy that continues at 8:30 p.m. nightly this week. Tonight, it's no match for the dandy CBS sitcoms; on other nights, it will be welcome.

"Big Bang Theory," 7 p.m., CBS. Friends try to nudge Sheldon through his fear of driving.

"Heroes," 8 p.m., NBC. Peter becomes shocked by Pinehearst Industries — just as the evil group tries to lure Hiro.

"My Own Worst Enemy," 9 p.m., NBC. Henry is groping with the fact that his childhood memories have been faked. Meanwhile, his alter ego must kidnap a German engineer.