Handmaid's Tale Offers Fresh Horrors, AGT Crowns a Season 17 Winner

Just in case the real world isn’t horrific enough for you, The Handmaid’s Tale returns today for another season of dystopian drama. In Season 5, Elisabeth Moss’ June escalates her war with Gilead as she continues to fight to save her daughter, who remains trapped in the Christo-fascist nation.

Also today: America’s Got Talent reveals its Season 17 champion, Netflix reboots 1990s Aussie drama Heartbreak High, and Password wraps its first season with Yvette Nicole Brown, Joel McHale, and Chrissy Metz. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy on TV this Wednesday:

The Handmaid’s Tale: Season 5 premiere. As June (Elisabeth Moss) faces consequences for killing Commander Waterford (Joseph Fiennes), she works with Luke (O-T Fagbele) and Moira (Samira Wiley) to free Hannah (Jordana Blake). Meanwhile, the widowed Serena (Yvonne Strahovski) attempts to raise her profile in Toronto as Gilead’s influence creeps into Canada. Two episodes drop today. Watch trailer. Streaming on Hulu

America’s Got Talent: Season 17 finale (special time). It all comes down to this: one act will be declared AGT’s newest winner and take home the $1 million prize. The two-hour finale begins at 9:00 PM ET on NBC

Heartbreak High: Complete Season 1. After an incendiary mural exposes everyone’s secret hookups at Hartley High, its author, Amerie (Ayesha Madon), must grapple with the messy fallout as a total outcast. The teen drama reboots the Australian series of the same name that ran from 1994 to 1999. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Password: Season 1 finale (special time). Celebrity guests Yvette Nicole Brown, Joel McHale, Chrissy Metz, and Jimmy Fallon face off over two games. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

Hell of a Cruise: Original documentary. Peacock explores what went wrong aboard the luxury Diamond Princess cruise ship, which became a COVID-19 hotbed in February 2020. Watch trailer. Streaming on Peacock

Sins of Our Mother: Complete docuseries. Colby Ryan, the surviving son of Lori Vallow, provides insight into his family’s backstory and the narrative surrounding his mother, who has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of her fourth husband, her fifth husband’s wifw, and her two youngest children. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

ABC Fall Preview Special: Special presentation. The cast of Home Economics host this look at ABC's fall lineup, which includes new series Alaska Daily and The Rookie: Feds. 8:30 PM ET on ABC

Soul of a Nation: Mi Gente: Groundbreakers and Changemakers: Special presentation. ABC maks Hispanic Heritage Month with an hour-long special about Hispanic heroes. 10:00 PM ET on ABC

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series: Season 3 finale. The curtain rises on Camp Shallow Lake’s production of Frozen, but unexpected obstacles await the Wildcats. Streaming on Disney+

Reservation Dogs: New episode. Big (Zahn McClarnon) takes a trip down memory lane. Streaming on FX on Hulu

Masterchef: Season 12 finale. Former judge Christina Tosi of Milk Bar returns to guide the three remaining chefs as they race against the clock to complete a final entree and gourmet dessert. 8:00 PM ET on FOX

DC’s Stargirl: New episode. Courtney (Brec Bassinger) and the JSA receive an anonymous tip that could help in their murder investigation. Watch preview. 8:00 PM ET on The CW

The Challenge: USA: Season 1 finale. The finalists face one last challenge in their quest to win $500,000 and earn a spot in Paramount’s international competition. 9:00 PM ET on CBS

Grown-ish: Season 5 fall finale. As Doug (Diggy Simmons) throws a massive party that reunites old friends, Junior’s (Marcus Scribner) fate as a Gamma and his relationship status with Annika (Justine Skye) are determined. Freeform has not yet announced when the second half of the season will premiere. 10:00 PM ET on Freeform

Welcome to Wrexham: New episodes. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney take viewers through on a tour of Wales — and TV show formats — in a “very special episode.” Later, they make a surprise appearance at a Wrexham away game. 10:00 PM ET on FX

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.