(S03E17) This was one of the best episodes of 'The Big Bang Theory' in a while, not because of all of the 'Lord of the Rings' references (I never got into those movies), but because the writers finally figured out a way to get all of the characters together in one plot. Even though Wolowitz and Raj furthered their weird relationship by snuggling during a nap (which was actually only in Sheldon's dream, which raises even more questions), they weren't shoved off to the side in a b-plot.

We got back to the season one dynamic of the four guys having a story, while Penny interacts with them on the periphery. Since Penny has become such a big part of the show, this won't work for every episode, but it's nice to see what made us love the show in the first place. Especially since we needed all the happy thoughts in the world to replace the image of Sheldon as Smeagol. Congrats to the makeup crew, but dear God, I never want to see that again.

Christmas is almost here, and there's no better time to schedule a movie marathon than on your extra long weekend. So take a break from your TV screen and visit our friends at Inside Movies to find out what's happening in Hollywood.

It's almost time to get your cosmopolitans and Manolos ready: The 'Sex & the City 2' trailer has been released! We've heard rumors of break-ups, cheating and pregnancy but the trailer isn't hinting in that direction at all. Instead the girls are back after two years and sporting a very desert chic look. It looks like the ladies are taking a trip to Morocco.

The folks at our sister site Cinematical are working hard to give you news and reviews of the best -- and worst -- the silver screen has to offer. Here are some of their musings on the latest blockbusters, indies, and everything in between:

• I just saw a trailer for District 9 in front of Funny People, but I'm not sure if it completely grabbed me. Cinematical says otherwise though. They discuss that movie, as well as Lovely Bones and The Hobbit when they spent an evening with Peter Jackson recently.
• I also saw the trailer recently for Aliens in the Attic. It looked... forgettable. Apparently, I'm not wrong.
• This Fan Rant wants lazy parents to stop blaming the MPAA. I wholeheartedly agree.
• I really don't know why we would need a fourth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, but apparently Hollywood thinks we do, and Rob Marshall may direct it.
• When I went to see Funny People last night, the ticket taker said, "Are you sure you want to see that movie? It's not good." I really enjoyed it, and so did Cinematical. What did you think?
  

Even though TV Squad's very own John Scott Lewinski is fighting his way through hordes of overweight Rorschachs and pre-pubescent Chun Lis to get exclusive interviews and scoops on the newest TV news at the San Diego Comic Con, don't forget that our partners-in-crime from Cinematical are also there covering the latest flim-flam in film.

The movie side of the annual pop-culture cavalcade opened with one of the biggest names in the history of film and what could very well be one of the biggest names in the future of film. Director James Cameron screened a solid 25 minutes of his forthcoming sci-fi epic Avatar. Blogger Todd Gilchrist got a hint of the plot and special effects movie-goers can expect when the film hits theaters later this year and said it "promises to be both hugely entertaining and technically groundbreaking." Man, that's got me worried. That's what they also said about Titanic.

Okay, this is strictly in the "rumor" department. In fact, this piece is so unlikely that I hesitate to write it. But, I'm going to anyway. Sci Fi Wire hinted that Doctor Who's David Tennant might be up for the role of Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming two-movie version of The Hobbit, which will be produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Guillermo del Toro.

The logic behind this is that David Tennant will be at Comic Con and the production team of The Hobbit will be at Comic Con. I'll leave it to you to find the gap in that logic.

Now, I love David Tennant as the Doctor, but he's completely inappropriate for Bilbo Baggins. He's too tall. He's too skinny. I'd even say he's too good-looking.

I wouldn't say I'm completely against the concept, but if you're going to cast an actor who played the Doctor as Bilbo Baggins, I recommend Sylvester McCoy.