Ellen Gray | From 'John,' the metaphysical

JOHN FROM CINCINNATI. 9 p.m. Sunday, HBO.

PEOPLE KEEP asking how I'm getting along with "John From Cincinnati," David Milch's metaphysical new surfing series.

Metaphysical being a fancy way of saying that at least one of the surfers, played by the decidedly physical Bruce Greenwood, sometimes floats above the ground and that at least one other person appears to have been raised from the dead.

Not to mention one bird.

I know there are fans of "Deadwood" who've vowed never to lay eyes on the mysterious John Monad (Austin Nichols), resentful as they are of the chain of events that led to "Deadwood's" too-quick exit.

It's too bad, because it sometimes takes an ear accustomed to Milchian dialogue - familiar to fans of "Deadwood" and "NYPD Blue" - to appreciate the language in "John," which, after four episodes, is growing on me in the insidious way "Deadwood" did.

Plus, it feels like a mini-reunion of "Deadwood"-ers, with even Nichols having guest-starred on the show at one point.

Jim Beaver and Dayton Callie, who like other regulars on the Western drama often worked in sweltering heat, trapped under layers of period clothing, now likely spend far less time in wardrobe. (I don't think I've seen Callie in anything with sleeves.)

Garret Dillahunt, who played two different characters over the course of "Deadwood," one a serial killer, has an intriguing and far more casually dressed character in the miracle-struck Dr. Michael Smith.

It's easy to see why Dillahunt gets cast as everything from killers to Jesus ("Book of Daniel"): He's an arresting presence, even when he's holding back.

Here he represents those of us trying to figure out what "John From Cincinnati" might be trying to tell us that's not covered by any of Ed O'Neill's hilarious speeches to his resurrected bird.

And yes, I'm still inclined to hang in there with all of them a bit longer.

Even the bird.

Shows like "Battlestar Galactica" and "The 4400" may have earned sci-fi geeks a seat at the drama junkies' table, but too many political allegories and shocking plot twists can make some people's heads hurt.

When that happens, there's nothing like a visit from The Doctor to sort you out.

The latest incarnation of Britain's venerable "Doctor Who" returns to the Sci Fi Channel tomorrow night, with David Tennant as The Doctor.

Though he might deny it, The Doctor - a Time Lord who's been played by at least nine previous actors since 1963 - is in need of human companionship since parting universes with Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) last season, and he'll soon find it in Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman), who, as luck would have it, is studying to be a doctor herself.

Agyeman makes her "Who" debut at 9:30 p.m., in the Season 3 premiere, which follows an 8 p.m. "Doctor Who" Christmas special, in which London receives a return visit from those menacing Robot Santas and a young woman (Catherine Tate) with Bridezilla tendencies is forced to abandon her groom.

Cheeky and cheesy in equal parts, "Who's" full of exchanges like this one between the Doctor and Martha, after he discharges radiation from his body by discarding one of his shoes.

"You're completely mad," says she.

"You're right," says he. "I look daft with one shoe," depositing the other in the wastebasket.

Like tonight's first big villain, I can only add: "The Doctor Man amuses me." *

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