TV tonight: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'Burn Notice,' 'Scandal'

• Wil Wheaton visits 'Big Bang Theory'
• 'Burn Notice' is back with back-to-back episodes
• 'Scandal' tackles the story of a vengeful governor

The Big Bang Theory
CBS, 8 ET/PT

Wil Wheaton has usually gotten the better of Sheldon in their various Big Bang Theory battles, but this time he may have bitten off more than he can chew. Tonight, he takes on Amy — and even with LeVar Burton at Wheaton's side, the smart money's on her. With or without Sheldon's help.

Burn Notice
USA, 9 ET/PT

The popular USA covert-agent adventure returns with back-to-back episodes. For those who need to be reminded where we left off — possible, considering how hard it is to keep track of USA seasons — an assassin killed Michael's brother and his arch-enemy Anson (Jere Burns, who was so much better used by Justified than he was here). Now it's up to Michael and his friends to find the murderer.

Scandal
ABC, 10 ET/PT

What are we to make of Scandal? The plots are ridiculously purple: Tonight, a governor takes the law into his own hands when his wife is raped. The staggeringly fast-paced dialogue and clipped banter is almost a parody of the style Shonda Rhimes uses on her still much-better series, Grey's Anatomy. The lead character is unbelievably gifted and adored, a portrayal that, to be fair, makes more sense if you're on the "pro" side of the Kerry Washington "pro/con" divide. Yet there's no denying that the series has an energy and a dramatic thrust that's capable of sweeping you past those objections. It's not a good show by any stretch, but on many nights, it can be a fun one. You can take that as an endorsement, albeit a limited one.