TV picks: Goodbye (for now) to 'The Americans,' 'Broadchurch' and 'Vikings'

*  TIME TRAVELING WITH BRIAN

UNGER. 10 and 10:30 tonight, Travel Channel.

The former "Daily Show" correspondent doesn't have a TARDIS like "Doctor Who," but his exclusive history tours of treasures in plain sight - including next week's exploration of the Liberty Bell's time on the lam - are infotainment at its best. In tonight's premiere he shows San Franciscans the Golden Gate Bridge and New Yorkers the Woolworth Building, once the country's tallest.

*  STARTALK. 11 tonight, National

Geographic.

George Takei, Sulu of "Star Trek," is guest in the premiere of astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson's science- and pop-culture-focused talk show, based on his podcast.

*  THE MIDDLE. 8 p.m. Wednesday, 6ABC.

Brothers Dick and Jerry Van Dyke guest-star in an episode in which their characters, also brothers, try to settle a longstanding feud. The younger Van Dyke - that would be Jerry - has a recurring role as the father of Frankie (Patricia Heaton).

*  THE AMERICANS. 10 p.m.

Wednesday, FX.

The only thing that makes it possible to let go of Russian spies Philip and Elizabeth Jennings (Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, above) at such a critical juncture in their family's lives is knowing there will be a Season 4. Though not nearly soon enough for me.

*  BROADCHURCH. 10 p.m. Wednesday, BBC America.

A tense Season 2 finale goes in surprising directions for detectives Hardy and Miller (David Tennant and Olivia Colman). I hadn't expected a second season of one of 2013's best shows, but I'm looking forward to the promised third.

*  VIKINGS. 10 p.m. Thursday, History.

Another day, another season finale. The Vikings still have Paris on their minds, and in their sights.

- Ellen Gray