In a two-hour special not to be missed, the “NOVA” presentation “Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial” (7 p.m., PBS, check local listings) recalls the recent case of the Dover, Pa., school district that tried to introduce the controversial theory into its high school biology classes to counter the alleged flaws in the theory of evolution.

“Judgment” tackles the controversy on a personal, local and national level and interviews all of the principal players – including the school board members who introduced the Intelligent Design textbooks and pamphlets and the biology teachers who opposed them. We also meet the lobbyists and think tank members behind Intelligent Design and the lawyers and scientists who argued that the notion was an intellectual Trojan horse intended to inject religion into the science classroom.

The Dover case pitted neighbor against neighbor, and in one painful example, a father against his daughter. It attracted national media attention. The Intelligent Design advocates received moral and political support from Pennsylvania’s Sen. Rick Santorum and President George W. Bush.

“Judgment” makes full use of the transcripts of the federal court case arising out of the Dover controversy and presents riveting re-enactments of testimony for both sides.

The lobbyists for Intelligent Design interviewed here admit that they got a fair trial and a hearing for their argument. Many thought that the U.S. District Court John E. Jones, nominated by Santorum and appointed by Bush, would rule in favor of the school district.

But in the end, the case for Intelligent Design as credible science was demolished. Jones concluded in rather forceful language that Intelligent Design was religious Creationism in disguise and therefore had no place in a science classroom. He chastised the Dover School board for its “breathtaking inanity.”

But the school board had already been taken to the woodshed. In an election held before Jones’ decision, Dover voters ejected all of the members who had voted in favor of Intelligent Design. When informed of the results of the school board election, televangelist Pat Robertson declared that the voters of Dover had invited a natural disaster by insulting God.

In a post-trial interview, Jones expressed dismay that given the challenges of the 21st-century economy, a school board would inflict junk science on ninth graders. After his decision, Jones received numerous death threats.

¢ The documentary “Michigan vs. Ohio State: The Rivalry” (9 p.m., HBO) examines proud college football fans and their storied battle for the Big Ten championship, dating back to 1897.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ A grim surprise is buried along with a high school’s time capsule on “Bones” (7 p.m., Fox).

¢ A documentary crew follows the treatment of a deformed teen on “House” (8 p.m., Fox).

¢ A rescued journalist may put the team in jeopardy on “The Unit” (8 p.m., CBS), the conclusion of a two-part episode.

¢ Sock seems bedeviled by the lady from the DMV on “Reaper” (8 p.m., CW).

¢ Exotic pets make for “Dirty Jobs” (8 p.m., Discovery).

¢ Alex discovers his brother’s weakness on “Cane” (9 p.m., CBS).

¢ A kidnapping case leads to a disturbed suspect on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (9 p.m., NBC).

¢ Alan takes on a hefty case on “Boston Legal” (9 p.m., ABC).