TONIGHT'S MUST-SEE

"Battlestar Galactica," 7 p.m., Sci Fi Channel. It's time for a fresh confrontation between humans and Cylons. On the algae planet, Tyrol has found the Temple of Five, reputed to house a guide to finding Earth. That news also reaches the Cylons. A clash looms. Complications build. Sharon learns that her half-human baby is still alive; D'Anna and Baltar (Lucy Lawless and James Callis) sow dissension on the Cylon base ship. It all adds up to a cliffhanger, as this well-crafted show takes its mid-season break.

"Las Vegas," 8 p.m., NBC. Danny and Delinda should be happy, now that they are together again on Christmas Eve. But his car has been stolen. And her dad has his annual "Secret Santa," drawing grumbles.

OF NOTE

"A Christmas Story" (1983), 3 p.m., Turner Classic Movies. This delightful little film will have its annual 24-hour marathon starting at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve on TBS. If you can't wait, catch it today or Sunday on TCM.

"Braveheart" (1995), 5 p.m., Bravo; or "Jurassic Park" (1993), 6 p.m., AMC; or "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003), 6 p.m., TNT. Filmmakers keep trying to stuff their movies with epic visuals. Here, three that worked splendidly.

"Ghost Whisperer," 7 p.m., CBS. The bitter spirit of a professor invades the former assistant who is taking credit for his work.

"Close to Home," 8 p.m., CBS. A woman has been killed on the night she became engaged. Now Annabeth feels the prime suspect, her uncle, may be faking insanity.

"Law & Order," 9 p.m., NBC. This show's tendency to steal from real life went way too far in the episode that's rerun here. It portrays a couple that's a lot like Britney Spears and Kevin Federline, then proclaims that one of them is a liar, cheat, fake and killer.