'American Horror Story' begins its 'Freak Show'

American Horror Story: Freak Show (10pm, FX) - The fourth installment of “American Horror Story,” which has a circus/freak-show theme, begins with police making a grim discovery at a farmhouse. The Ryan Murphy Acting Ensemble are present and accounted for once again: Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Frances Conroy, Kathy Bates, Evan Peters, Gabourey Sidibe, Denis O’Hare, Angela Bassett, etc. We didn’t get an advance screener of “Freak Show,” so I don’t know how good this one will be. I’m usually a big fan of this series, but didn’t care much for last season’s “Coven.” So here’s hoping Ryan Murphy concentrates more on “scary” and less on “gross-out” this time.

Also on tonight . . .

Arrow (8pm, CW) - Season 3 begins with a new villain, Vertigo, emerging just as Oliver tries to balance his life and ask out Felicity. Meanwhile, Diggle becomes a father and Laurel joins Arrow’s inner circle. (If you missed “The Flash” last night, it’ll air again right after this.)

NOVA: Why Planes Vanish (9pm, UNC-TV) - The search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, which disappeared on March 8, 2014, is detailed. The report includes a look at how planes disappear and whether technological advances will eventually make it so that every plane can be located.

Red Band Society (9pm, Fox) - Friendships start to form when Jordi starts his treatment. Also, Kara goes back to school and Emma attends her first dance.

Modern Family (9pm, ABC) - While editing Mitchell and Cameron’s wedding video, Phill discovers he’s to blame for a miserable cold that’s been plaguing the family.

Legends (9pm, TNT) - The season concludes with two new episodes. In the first, Martin escapes from an interrogation and discovers that Sonya and Aiden have been abducted. In the finale, Martin learns that Verax may be plotting an assassination, and later, Martin makes a shocking discovery about his own identity.

This story was originally published October 8, 2014 at 6:00 AM.