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“Van Helsing” season-opener, 10 p.m., Syfy. After four seasons in a near-future world, this goes back to the roots of vampire-hunting: It starts its final season with three episodes set in old Romania. This opener was beautifully directed by Jonathan Scarfe, a gifted actor (and son of Canadian star Sara Botsford) who later will return to his role as Axel. Jack (Nicole Munoz) has been flung into the past, told only to “kill the Dark One.” That’s not easy, amid castle schemes. “Great Performances: Beethoven in Beijing,” 9-10:30 p.m., PBS. When the “cultural revolution” raced through China in 1966, classical music collapsed. Violins were smashed, violinists were beaten; only six operas and two ballets — all of them praising the government — were approved. Then the Philadelphia Orchestra was somehow invited in 1973. Disputes would follow (including whether to do Beethoven’s Fifth), but it was a triumphant tour, shown via old film and current comments.
Paul Scofield and Wendy Hiller in the 1966 movie version of "A Man for All Seasons" (IMDB/ Michael Ochs) “A Man For All Seasons” was a rare combination. It was the story of a saint that was also a Tony-winning play and an Oscar-winning film for Best Picture in 1966. This portrait of Thomas More as a worldly politician was also something of an event in Catholic culture. It provided a road map for a Catholic in modern life by tracing—in stunning language—the choices of a saint-to-be in Henry VIII’s corrupt court. “A Man For All Seasons” had a profound effect on me when I was in high school. It was the first non-musical play I saw on Broadway. I saw the brilliant original production—sitting close enough to see the sweat—third row, off to the right. My freshman mind assumed that all plays would be as inspiring and theatrically inventive.