You’re busy and only have time for so many murders per week. So which TV procedurals are actually worth your time? We consulted the plot descriptions for this week’s grisliest dramas and, below, offer our best advice on how to manage your viewing schedule.

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NCIS (CBS), “A Desperate Man” (Tuesdays at 8 p.m.)
“When a Navy lieutenant commander is found dead in a building under construction, NCIS must search for a killer while dealing with interruptions from her distraught detective husband. Meanwhile, Ray’s return has Ziva thinking about her future.”

Body of Proof (ABC), “Shades of Blue” (Tuesdays at 10 p.m.)
“When an undercover cop is found executed at a truck stop, the search for the killer hits close to home.”

The Mentalist (CBS), “Always Bet on Red” (Thursday at 10 p.m.)
“Jane and the CBI must narrow down the long list of suspects after a high-end divorce attorney with many enemies is killed on his speed boat. Meanwhile, Jane is questioned about whether Red John was responsible for Panzer’s murder.”

Dead person found in building, dead person found in truck, stop, dead person found on speed boat – not a particularly inspired collection of murder scenes. Maybe instead of a regular building under construction, it could have been a skyscraper under construction, and the body was mysteriously found on the frame of the 100th floor? Maybe instead of a regular truck stop, it could have been a roadside Dennys, and the deceased was found face down in a plate of Moons Over My Hammy? Maybe instead of just a regular old speed boat, it could have been a speed boat that Rick Ross was on?

DVR

CSI: NY (CBS), “Who’s There?” (Friday at 9 p.m.)
“A home invasion investigation becomes more complicated when the victim’s family turns out to be less perfect than they originally seem.”

A bold choice of subject material: Procedurals can usually make all that blood and guts feel sterile, but the concept of a home invasion is never not terrifying. In order to psych yourself up for Friday night, spend some time shrieking in abject terror along with Elizabeth Olsen and the Silent House trailer.

NCIS: LA (CBS), “Exit Strategy” (Tuesdays at 9 p.m.)
“Sam must confront his emotional connection to the Sudan case when Jada’s transport car is attacked. NCIS must track down the culprit to save her and their case.”

Sam: “No. It can’t be. Not again.”
Sam’s boss/friend/dog: “Dammit, Sam! What is it?! What the hell happened in Sudan?”
Sam: “I …” [Breaks into quiet tears]
Sam’s boss/friend/dog: “Sam. It doesn’t matter. Whatever it is, it’s over.”
Sam: “Sudan … Sudan will never be over.”

(Am I hired yet, NCIS: LA?)

Castle (ABC), “Till Death Do Us Part” (Mondays at 10 p.m.)
“When a lothario is killed, Castle and Beckett suspect that the victim’s mysterious double life holds the key to his murder. Their investigation leads to a shocking twist that threatens to disrupt Ryan’s wedding with Jenny.”

Mysterious double life, huh? Hopefully it’s something good, like that the lothario used to work as a non-licensed mall Santa, or that the lothario was really into competitive beard-growing.

Watch

Bones (Fox), “The Crack in the Code” (Thursday at 8 p.m.)
“A cryptic message penned in human blood is discovered at a national monument. As the Jeffersonian team embarks on a scavenger hunt to solve the case, they realize their tech-savvy suspect remains one step ahead of them.”

Now does this sound like National Treasure 3, or does this sound like National Treasure 3?! Related: Wouldn’t all of Nicolas Cage’s money troubles disappear if he just never stopped pooping out National Treasures?

Law & Order: SVU (NBC), “Theatre Tricks” (Wednesday at 10 p.m.)
“An actress in an interactive theater production is raped on stage, while the audience believes it to be part of the show. The SVU detectives hit a dead end in their investigation when they learn the show’s passionate director (guest star Fisher Stevens) gave the audience, including the assailant, masks to wear during the performance. Detectives Rollins and Tutuola track down an obsessed fan of the young actress who recorded the assault while stalking her, which leads Detectives Benson and Amaro to a respected judge (guest star Kevin Pollak.) With the judge’s reputation on the line, the SVU squad explores the underbelly of the New York theater world to uncover who really orchestrated the public attack.”

I mean … what? What?! Raped on stage? The underbelly of the New York theater world?!! They’ve done it so many times it really shouldn’t come as a surprise at this point, but let’s take a minute to appreciate it: Once again, SVU takes the inherent ridiculousness of the form and elevates to surreal new highs. Why are other procedurals even trying at this point?