This week’s best bets

SUNDAY

7 p.m.

AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR It’s a matter of national pride — as well as of the usual, essential agility and endurance — for the two teams pitted against each other in a special, three-hour “USA vs. the World” edition of the competition. Five American contenders go up against Japanese and European counterparts in all four stages of the finals course in Las Vegas. Hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja Biamila keep their eyes on the action. Jenn Brown co-hosts.

9 p.m. MASTERPIECE MYSTERY! In the new “Grantchester: Episode 4,” a gravely sick child at home distracts Geordie (Robson Green) as he investigates a murder and a possible case of arson. When Geordie arrests the gay lover (Rory Fleck-Byrne) of the dead man, Sidney (James Norton) accuses him of homophobia, igniting a row with Geordie.

MONDAY

7 p.m.

GOTHAM In a new episode called “Scarecrow,” Gordon and Bullock (Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue) try to stop Gerald Crane, a twisted biology teacher who has been harvesting the glands of his murder victims. Elsewhere, Falcone (John Doman) tries to change Maroni’s (guest star David Zayas) plans for Cobblepot (Robin Lord Taylor), while Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) continues scheming for a way to regain her power.

8 p.m.

SCORPION Walter (Elyes Gabel) and the rest of Team Scorpion go on a cruise ship together, but it’s not for the sake of pleasure: They’re trying to locate and disable some deadly rockets that have been stolen. As Valentine’s Day approaches, Ralph (Riley B. Smith) turns to Happy and Toby (Jadyn Wong, Eddie Kaye Thomas) for advice on how to handle his first crush in the new episode “Love Boat.” Katharine McPhee also stars.

8 p.m. JANE THE VIRGIN In the new episode “Chapter Thirteen,” when Jane and Rafael (Gina Rodriguez, Justin Baldoni) learn the

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gender of their baby, they also discover a medical issue that might force Jane to miss her graduation. Xo (Andrea Navedo) notices that something is going on with her mother, Alba (Ivonne Coll), but the older woman is too embarrassed to talk about it. Michael (Brett Dier) thinks he knows who Sin Rostro is.

9 p.m.

STATE OF AFFAIRS In a new episode called “Here and Now,” Charlie and President Payton (Katherine Heigl, Alfre Woodard) must decide what they are willing to sacrifice in order to apprehend the world’s most-wanted terrorist when Nick (guest star Chris L. McKenna) finally gets Sheikh Hakam (guest star Yousuf Azami) in his sights. Unfortunately, Sen. Burke (guest star Rex Linn) releases sensitive intel for his own ends that could jeopardize the entire mission.

TUESDAY

7 p.m. FRESH OFF THE BOAT As this new sitcom moves into its regular time period, Louis (Randall Park) urges the rest of his family to make new friends — and promote the restaurant — during a cul-de-sac block party celebrating NASCAR. Jessica (Constance Wu) finds it difficult to fit in, however, especially after she befriends an unpopular trophy wife, while Eddie (Hudson Yang) tries to win the respect of the other neighborhood kids in the new episode “The Shunning.” Another episode follows immediately.

7:30 p.m. PARKS AND RECREATION In a new episode called “Pie-Mary,” Ben and Leslie (Adam Scott, Amy Poehler) draw some flack for participating in a Pawnee tradition, while Ron and April (Nick Offerman, Aubrey Plaza) go on a scavenger hunt. Elsewhere, Donna and Garry (Retta, Jim O’Heir) — aka “Jerry,” “Larry” and now “Terry” — take some time out for a stroll down memory lane.

8 p.m. THE FORGOTTEN PLAGUE: AMERICAN

EXPERIENCE The specter of AIDS cast a shadow over the latter 20th century, but a century earlier, it was tuberculosis that was the most feared disease in the world. When the 19th century started, TB — the deadliest killer in human history — had killed one in seven of all the people who had ever lived. This hour reviews that harrowing time, as well as how the disease was vanquished ... and how it has come back in more recent times.

9 p.m.

FRONTLINE In the new episode “Being Mortal,” author and surgeon Atul Gawande draws on his own professional experiences as he explores how doctors care for terminally ill patients. This documentary, which was three years in the making, illustrates how more and more physicians and caregivers are trying to find ways to talk openly yet compassionately with persons nearing the end of their lives, so they can make better decisions about how to spend the time they have left.

WEDNESDAY

7 p.m.

THE MIDDLE In the new episode “Valentine’s Day VI,” Brick (Atticus Shaffer) gets nervous when he hears through the grapevine that his kooky girlfriend, Cindy (guest star Casey Burke), wants him to kiss her on Valentine’s Day. Elsewhere, Darrin (guest star John Gammon) asks Frankie and Mike (Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn) for help with a scavenger hunt he’s planning for Sue (Eden Sher), while Axl (Charlie McDermott) doubts his girlfriend’s (guest star Gia Mantegna) request that he not give her a Valentine’s gift.

8 p.m. CRIMINAL MINDS In a new episode called “Scream,” Rossi (Joe Mantegna) and the other members of the BAU team search for a suspect who may have witnessed abuse as a child. Kate (Jennifer Love Hewitt), meanwhile, is worried when her niece, Meg (Hailey Sole), and a friend make plans to meet up with a boy they met online. Greg Grunberg guest stars.

8:01 p.m.

EMPIRE A new episode called “Out, Damned Spot” finds Vernon (Malik Yoba) trapped in the middle of a sticky situation, while Jamal’s (Jussie Smollett) career ascension may take its toll on some of his relationships. Worse, a mystery woman (guest star Raven-Symone) from the Lyon family’s past has re-emerged with a big surprise in store. Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere Gray and Trai Byers also star. Courtney Love and Derek Luke also guest star.

9 p.m. EARTH: A NEW WILD A new episode, “Forests,” takes host M. Sanjayan deep into an uncharted area of the Amazon known as the “intangible zone,” which may be the most bio-diverse place on Earth, as well as home to previous tribes who have rarely if ever had any contact with humans from the outside world. Far away, in Alaska and British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, he captures examples of wolf behavior that have seldom been filmed previously.

THURSDAY

7 p.m.

THE SLAP Adapted from an Australian TV drama based on a novel by Christos Tsiolkas, this limited series charts the emotional fallout that follows a seemingly minor incident: An adult man slaps a misbehaving child who is not related to him. The episode occurs at the 40th birthday of Hector (Peter Sarsgaard), whose hot-headed cousin, Harry (Zachary Quinto), is the slapper. In the aftermath, long-buried secrets come to light. The strong cast also includes Thandie Newton, Uma Thurman, Melissa George and Brian Cox.

7 p.m. GREY’S ANATOMY In the new episode “All I Could Do Was Cry,” Jackson and April (Jesse Williams, Sarah Drew) are forced to come to a tough decision about their unborn child. Catherine (guest star Debbie Allen) runs into Richard (James Pickens Jr.) at the hospital. Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) looks for a baby sitter so she can go visit Derek (Patrick Dempsey), while Amelia and Stephanie (Caterina Scorsone, Jerrika Hinton) work together on a case.

8 p.m.

BACKSTROM After Backstrom (Rainn Wilson) declares that the murder of a drag queen blogger was a hate crime, the investigation takes an unexpected turn when Gregory Valentine (Thomas Dekker), Backstrom’s tenant, emerges as a suspect in the new episode “I Am a Bird Now.” As if that’s not enough on his plate, Backstrom also has to testify before a civilian oversight committee about his shooting of a suspect during a previous investigation. Sarah Chalke and Amy Pietz guest star.

9 p.m.

ALLEGIANCE In the new episode ironically called “Teamwork,” Alex’s (Gavin Stenhouse) grave suspicions that his parents are spies forces Katya (Hope Davis) into a lie that deflects her son’s concerns but drives the first of many wedges between Katya, Alex and Mark (Scott Cohen). Elsewhere, Alex starts working on a CIA-FBI task force on which his unique perspective is vital to unmasking the identity of a new defector.

FRIDAY

7 p.m.

CONSTANTINE In a new episode called “Waiting for the Man,” Detective Jim Corrigan (recurring guest star Emmett Scanlan) summons John and Zed (Matt Ryan, Angelica Celaya) for help with a case involving a missing girl. John may need some help of his own, since Papa Midnite (guest star Michael James Shaw) is hatching his own revenge scheme. Meanwhile, the truth behind the rising darkness is revealed. Harold Perrineau also stars.

8 p.m. SHAKESPEARE UNCOVERED Kim Cattrall ( Sex and the City) searches for the truth behind Shakespeare’s middle-aged love

story Antony & Cleopatra and travels to Rome to examine inspirations for the play. In another new episode that immediately follows, Joseph Fiennes — who played the

Bard in Shakespeare in Love — explores how Romeo & Juliet, the play he “wrote” in that movie, has inspired directors of ballet, musical theater and cinema.

8 p.m.

GRIMM Nick (David Giuntoli) reluctantly realizes he must turn to a former foe for help after an arson case appears to have Wesen origins. Victor (guest star Alexis Denisof) tutors Adalind (Claire Coffee) in the importance of well-executed diplomacy. Juliette (Bitsie Tulloch) is involved in a confrontation she didn’t expect to happen quite so soon in the new episode “Trial by Fire.”

8 p.m.

GLEE Fed up with the bullying he witnesses going on from some of the members of Vocal Adrenaline, Will (Matthew Morrison) resorts to desperate measures to teach the glee club about tolerance in the new episode “Transitioning.” Meanwhile, the members of New Directions pull together to console Rachel and ease her into a new chapter of her life after she learns her childhood home has been sold. Chris Colfer also stars.

SATURDAY

7 p.m. NCIS: LOS ANGELES Callen (Chris O’Donnell) and his team embark on a desperate citywide search after learning that someone from their past has marked one of them for death in “The 3rd Choir.” Elsewhere, operational psychologist Nate Getz (Peter Cambor, in his recurring role) tries to help Nell (Renee Felice Smith) recover from her trauma. Gerald McRaney, Jurgen Prochnow and John Heard guest star.

7 p.m.

NASCAR RACING One of the first signs of spring is the smell of race-car exhaust in the air, as provided by the first Sprint Cup preseason race, the Sprint Unlimited, from Daytona International Speedway. Denny Hamlin won this contest a year ago on the 2.5-mile Florida oval. The likes of Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Joey Logano, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and defending Cup champion Kevin Harvick will challenge him.