War, poverty and climate change. We know they're important and some of us worry about them some of the time. But for most of us, most days, it's not the big issues that have us breaking out in a sweat. It's the small stuff. And that's the secret to the appeal of this new Agony series from Adam Zwar. Negotiating the minutiae of social interaction can be an absolute minefield and along with the funny, our aunts and uncles (including, this time, a couple of new faces) remind the rest of Australia that it's not just us. For instance tonight we open with managing the workplace environment and a succession of familiar chords are struck. Everyone has had to navigate the shoals of the office fridge. Women in particular wrestle with the ever-shifting mores of the office dress code. All this and more is addressed in Agony's trademark style, with advice ranging from the absurd to the inspired. In fact, Lawrence Mooney delivers a bit of both. His recommendation that on starting a new job you do all you can to remember the names of people's kids and pets is excellent and practical. His idea that, when it comes to dress, all office workers - male and female - should wear something like a burqa to neutralise the whole issue is perhaps less practical, but has an undeniable appeal. And you can always count on John Elliott to deliver something loopy. In her first appearance, Stella Young gives us both her unique perspective and some sound general advice about appropriate lift behaviour. And that's one of the other really appealing things about this series - and it becomes more evident with every season: the fabulous mix of characters. I reckon this time round more than half the contributors are female. They're all shapes, sizes, styles and ethnicities. And it's that, as much as the content, that makes Agony not just great entertainment, but such a superb document of Australian life.

THE WALKING DEAD
PAY TV
Season final, Monday 8.30pm, FX
★★★★

Little details about The Walking Dead continue to jar. From the first couple of episodes onward the writers and producers have, from time to time, just slammed the door on common sense. But I guess suspension of disbelief is what this series is all about, and when it comes to its key concerns, The Walking Dead continues to deliver. This season more than ever has focused firmly, sometimes painfully, on the toll the post-apocalyptic world is taking on the survivors and some episodes have been an almost unbearably poignant meditation on that theme. It's also been really satisfying to have the gang split up, and to follow their separate journeys, both physical and metaphysical. Much of this season has felt almost elegiac but as things have worked towards the season finale the action, and the gore, have steadily accelerated. In tonight's powerful concluding ep there are moments that will have even hardened viewers gasping and flinching but, as always, no act, no matter how gruesome, is ever presented without its inevitable emotional consequence. It's a narrative reflex that consistently saves TWD from being simply an orgy of blood and guts - and makes it as satisfying as it is thrilling. Also tonight we get something of a class reunion, and a reminder of just how ugly this brave new world has become.

THE BRIDGE
Series return, Wednesday 9.30pm, SBS One
★★★☆

The Bridge is back, as handsome and moody as ever. And, if you were wondering how the writers would manage a second season after events that were both explosive and conclusive, don't. The bridge comes into play again when an abandoned ship crashes into said structure. What's found inside the ship lands on Saga Noren's desk. Thus we have the mystery side of things in play but this is also very much a relationship drama.

PARENTHOOD
Series return, Tuesday 9.45pm, Seven
★★★

Parenthood is starting to feel like a comfy slipper, but in a good way. We know these people, we know the kinds of things the writers are going to put them through but not only is there comfort in that, an appealing cast and a regular dose of something that feels like real life keep it feeling fresh, too. Tonight, Max reminds us he can be less than adorable - allowing Hank to discover something about himself that's both surprising, and not.

THE RETURNED
Season final, Tuesday 8.30pm, SBS 2
★★★

Well! We have reached the end of this hypnotic series and I am not sure we get our reward. Everything starts out promisingly. Although he is creepy, there is something enormously appealing about Victor/Louis, largely thanks to a fantastic performance from Swann Nambotin. Tension builds as the town disintegrates, physically and psychologically, and we finally see the shuffling hordes emerging. But then … well, you'll just have to watch and make up your own mind.

ATLANTIS
New series, Sunday 6.30pm, Fox8
★★★

It ain't Merlin but there's fun to be had in this B-grade teen drama based loosely (very loosely) on Jason and the Argonauts. We meet our young hero in the present day, determined to discover what happened to his deep-sea diving father. Before you know it he finds himself in Atlantis, befriending Pythagoras and Hercules (I know, I know…), possessed of vaguely super powers. For light-hearted young adult drama, it's worth a look.

THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF MELBOURNE
Sunday 8.30pm, Arena
★★★

You have to feel at least a little bit proud we have produced the most watchable Real Housewives iteration in the Western world. Sure, it is not high art but there is always entertainment to be had, even if it is only deciding who you hate most this week. I continue to have a soft spot for Gina (love her tennis outfit tonight) but I am also enjoying changing my mind about other players. Janet is growing on me and Jackie is starting to seem positively sane compared with Andrea.