Over the past two decades, “Law & Order” has given TV fans the impression that tales of crime, apprehension, trial and punishment can be wrapped up neatly in 60 minutes, less time for commercials. The special “Miami Manhunt” (9 p.m., A&E) will quickly disabuse viewers of that notion.

Perhaps quickly is not the right word. “Manhunt” runs for two hours but seems much longer. And this appears to be intentional. “Manhunt” follows the Miami Police Department, district attorney’s office and media as the city is hit by a number of gruesome break-ins and rapes. The first victim is only 11 years old. Although the rapist leaves DNA evidence behind, it doesn’t match with anyone in the system, leaving the police to canvass the area door-to-door. The “real time” feel of “Manhunt” brings home the frustration and dedication of the officers and the emotional highs and lows they experience when they think they have a suspect.

The police eventually do get their man, lulling “Manhunt” viewers into a false sense of closure. Not to give too much away here (this is based on a rather infamous case), but the defendant is arrested, charged and then escapes from a maximum-security facility, forcing the Miami police to go hunting for him all over again. Viewers may feel drained by this time, and we haven’t even gotten to the trial. “Manhunt” offers riveting documentary drama but also reminds us that it can take a long time for the long arm of the law to finally get its man.

¢ America reached a population milestone in 2006, topping the 300 million mark. And by my estimate, at least half of those people have a blog. “Blog Wars” (9 p.m., Sundance) looks at the impact of political blogs.

The Internet self-publishing phenomenon has made a major impact from the left and the right. In early 2003, Howard Dean was little known outside of Vermont. His 2003 surge in support, media attention and fund-raising would have been impossible without blogs.

In 2004, right-wing blogs were instrumental in the “Swift Boat” distortion that kept the John Kerry campaign off balance. Bloggers also cast doubts on the evidence in Dan Rather’s “48 Hours” report on President Bush’s National Guard career, precipitating his hasty departure from CBS.

Blogs were instrumental in 2006 politics, galvanizing support for the insurgent candidacy of Connecticut’s Ned Lamont. By year’s end, retired Republican congressional power broker Tom Delay would launch a blog of his own, calling the new media crucial to political fundraising and media spin.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ A psychopath’s clues lead the team astray on “Criminal Minds” (7 p.m., CBS).

¢ Reese Witherspoon stars in the 2002 romantic comedy “Sweet Home Alabama” (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ Betty finds a photographer from her side of the bridge and tunnels on “Ugly Betty” (7 p.m., ABC).

¢ Christina inspires envy in her peers on “Grey’s Anatomy” (8 p.m., ABC).

¢ Sebastian prosecutes a fashion house for a fatal sweatshop conflagration on “Shark” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ Abby worries about her readiness for motherhood on “ER” (9 p.m., NBC).

¢ Marin’s sister makes an impromptu visit on “Men in Trees” (9 p.m., ABC).