Ellen Gray's TV picks: 'Pilgrims,' dog show, 'Unforgettable' and more

INDEPENDENT LENS: MIMI AND DONA 10:30 tonight, WHYY12.

When 92-year-old Mimi admits she can no longer care for her 64-year-old daughter, Dona, who has autism, their family sets out to find a place for Dona. Filmmaker Sophie Sartain, Dona's niece, explores her story while dealing with her own son's autism diagnosis.

SAINTS & STRANGERS 9 tonight, National Geographic Channel.

Second of two parts (Sunday's episode reruns at 7) of a dramatic, but largely fact-based, treatment of the Mayflower story, starring Vincent Kartheiser ("Mad Men"), as William Bradford.

THE PILGRIMS: AMERICAN EXPERIENCE 8 p.m. Tuesday, WHYY12.

Oliver Platt narrates this Ric Burns film, which seeks to separate myth from the reality of the ill-prepared religious separatists - and their secular companions - who settled in an abandoned native village nearly 400 years ago and whose experiences morphed into America's origins story. PBS' William Bradford is portrayed by Roger Rees, who died in July.

RAILROAD ALASKA: REAL TIME TRAIN RIDE 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday, Destination America.

Five hours, 500 miles. Taking a page from Norway's Slow TV movement, this "Railroad Alaska" special is a view from a train traveling the frozen north, for people who'd rather not fall asleep in front of football. Repeat adds five more hours of scenic napping.

THE NATIONAL DOG SHOW PRESENTED BY PURINA Noon Thursday, NBC10.

The Thanksgiving Day broadcast of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia show is once again hosted by actor John O'Hurley and expert David Frei.

UNFORGETTABLE. 8 and 9 p.m. Friday, A&E.

Season 4 of the CBS-canceled drama moves to A&E, premiering with two back-to-back episodes. In case you've forgotten, Poppy Montgomery stars as a police detective whose rare memory condition helps her solve crimes.