Hollywood loves renegades. Movies like “Dirty Harry” and “Patton” celebrate the rogue, lone eagles who buck the system and bend the rules to collar the bad guy, win the war or save the day. “Frontline” (9 p.m., PBS) enters its 20th season with the stylish documentary “The Man Who Knew,” the ironic tale of an FBI maverick who tried to warn his superiors about the dangers of al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden, and who, in a twist of irony that might defy the most imaginative Hollywood script writer, died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Special Agent John O’Neill was the FBI’s top counter-terrorism agent. While investigating the bombings of U.S. military barracks in Saudi Arabia, two U.S. Embassies in Africa and the attack on the USS Cole in Yemen, O’Neill became obsessed with bin Laden and argued passionately that America should capture or kill him before he launched a massive terrorist attack within the United States. O’Neill’s dogged pursuit of terror links also defused several terror threats on New Year’s Eve 2000.

But O’Neill’s very intensity apparently doomed his career. A James Bond in a Joe Friday world, O’Neill’s designer suits, mistress and bon-vivant lifestyle combined with his naked ambition to make him a marked man within the agency. O’Neill’s superiors, girlfriend and colleagues, including former U.S. prosecutor Mary Jo White, talk of O’Neill’s battles within the FBI, and his damaged relationship with Bureau director Louis Freeh, who would not appear in this film.

“The Man Who Knew” is documentary departure for “Frontline.” It combines a wealth of interviews, news clips and atmospheric footage of New York and Washington to convey the dual nature of O’Neill’s cloak-and-dagger existence. It also uses a jazz score to hint at O’Neill’s moody nature and his love of the night life.

O’Neill spent the last months of his career arguing that al-Qaida cells had entered the United States. He was also fighting a losing battle with a Bureau bent on disciplining him for such infractions as misplacing a briefcase and lending a bureau car to his girlfriend.

O’Neill left the FBI in the summer of 2001 to take a job as the head of security for the World Trade Center.

The night before he died, O’Neill had dinner with his colleague Jerry Hauer at the well-known Manhattan watering hole Elaine’s. Hauer is haunted by their conversation.

“We’re due,” O’Neill said, referring to a domestic terror attack. “And we’re due for something big.”

Tonight’s other highlights

“The Directors” (6 p.m., Encore) celebrates the films and career of Tim Burton, the absurdist mastermind behind “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “Beetlejuice” and “Ed Wood” (7 p.m., Encore).

Joey and Ross scuffle over Rachel on “Friends” (7 p.m., NBC).

The Atlanta Braves host the San Francisco Giants in game 2 of the National League Divisional Series (7 p.m., Fox).

An embattled movie star’s lawyers attack Grissom’s professional integrity on “CSI” (8 p.m., CBS).

Jim runs afoul of the law on “Push, Nevada” (8 p.m., ABC).

Dr. Greene’s widow, Elizabeth Corday, makes an emotional return to Chicago on “ER” (9 p.m., NBC). But Dr. Weaver doesn’t exactly welcome her back with open arms.

Scheduled on “Primetime” (9 p.m., ABC): interviews with Vince Gill and Amy Grant.

Series notes

Another elimination on “Survivor: Thailand” (7 p.m., CBS) Wrestling on “WWE Smackdown!” (7 p.m., UPN).

Big responsibilities on “Scrubs” (7:30 p.m., NBC) Joel invests in some sure bets on “Do Over” (7:30 p.m., WB).

Kevin Bacon (as himself) hires Jack as his personal assistant on “Will & Grace” (8 p.m., NBC) In search of a bachelor pad on “Good Morning, Miami” (8:30 p.m., NBC) Improvisation on “Jamie Kennedy Experiment” (8 p.m., WB) Carmen Electra guest stars on “Off Centre” (8:30 p.m., WB) A young boy vanishes on the way to a baseball game on “Without a Trace” (8 p.m., CBS).

Late night

Edward Norton and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band appear on “Late Show with David Letterman” (10:35 p.m., CBS) Jay Leno hosts Christina Applegate, Guy Ritchie and Michele Branch on “The Tonight Show” (10:35 p.m., NBC).

Matt Damon and Jurassic 5 are booked on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” (11:35 p.m., NBC) Ted Danson appears on “The Late, Late Show with Craig Kilborn” (11:37 p.m., CBS).