Rueben's Ramblings

Here is a short list of the programming options to expect on TV this week:

On December 31, there will be a “catch-up” marathon of episodes of the new ABC Family drama The Fosters from 11 AM to 6 PM.

The new Lifetime Movie Network movie House of Secrets will debut on January 1 at 8 PM. Relieved to finally divorce her abusive, bullying husband Sam (Neil Jackson from Make It or Break It), Julie (Bianca Lawson from Teen Wolf) is determined to move forward with her life, despite having to live in the house Sam was building for them until she’s able to sell it. Her best friend and lawyer, Alison (Stephanie Jacobsen from Battlestar Galactica) convinces her to stay in the house for a while until she figures out what she is going to do. Having hired handyman Tyler (Brendan Fehr from Roswell and Bones) to work on some of the things that still need to be fixed in the new construction, Julie begins to realize that someone appears to be breaking into her house at will and watching her every move. She consults with seasoned Police Detective Morrison (Costas Mandylor from Picket Fences) who investigates the matter. The question is: could it be Tyler, whom she barely knows, or Sam, whom she knows all too well?

The eight-part limited series The Assets will debut on ABC on January 2 at 10 PM. This mini-series is based on the real life events of CIA counter-intelligence officer Sandy Grimes (Jodie Whittaker from the BBC mini Broadchurch). The year 1985 serves as the backdrop to the final showdown of the Cold War when Sandy and her partner Jeanne Vertefeuille (Harriet Walter from Babel) vowed to find the mole who would turn out to be the most notorious traitor in US History, Aldrich Ames (Paul Rhys from Borgia). Sandy is in a race against time to save the Soviet intelligence officers from being caught and killed. Living her own double life at home, this beautiful wife and mother vowed to stop at nothing until she uncovered the truth.

Elementary will be back from its holiday hiatus on CBS on January 2 at 10 PM.

On January 3, Grimm and Dracula will be back from its holiday hiatus on NBC at 10 PM.

Downton Abbey will be back for a new season on PBS starting on January 5 at 9 PM.

That same night, The Good Wife and The Mentalist will both be back on CBS from their holiday hiatus at 9 and 10 PM respectively.

Also on January 5, Revenge and Betrayal will both be back from their holiday hiatus on ABC at 9 and 10 PM respectively.

Mark your calendars!