by Jon Partridge
I’ve already extolled the virtues of The Knick in my review of its first season. I described it as “a grim and often chilling affair with unsettling visuals and social issues, but tackled in a genuine and compelling manner…less of a TV show and more of a living, breathing recreation of a gruesome yet gripping era.” Its second season upholds the very high standards of the first and delves deeper into exploring the characters and pulsating world creators Jack Amiel & Michael Begler, together with director Steven Soderbergh, have crafted.
THE KNICK: Season 2 Synopsis
In the second season, The Knick faces an upheaval, as Dr. John Thackery’s absence (due to his hospitalization for cocaine addiction), a dearth of affluent patients, and financial missteps have led to the board’s decision to shutter the hospital in favor of a new building uptown. In this world of corruption, invention, and progress, everyone is searching for the new path that will help him or her survive. Whether it’s a path toward justice, freedom, love, or just plain survival, nothing comes easy. As relocation plans proceed, the gifted but under-appreciated Dr. Algernon Edwards jockeys to become Thackery’s successor as chief of surgery, while fellow doctors, nurses, nuns, and administrators grapple with challenges at work and in their private lives.
Season 2 continues the tale of those linked to the Knickerbocker hospital in 1900s New York: doctors, nurses, patients, administrators, rich benefactors, and more. The main plot point revolves around head of surgery Dr Thackery’s (Clive Owen) rehabilitation from last season’s cocaine addiction and his new-found desire to trace the cause of such psychological problems. Further narrative draws from how the wealthy owners of the Knick itself are intent on building a new uptown location to change their patient demographic to a more affluent type. It’s a plot development that only serves to further fuel the racial and socioeconomic issues that have always been at the core of the show.
Through this and the various sub-plots and characters, season 2 runs the gamut of themes from shady business dealings, addiction, blossoming romances, sexual corruption, racial tensions, social progress, and medical research. The themes dealt with would be engrossing in any day and age but feel particularly resonant now — first in terms of race with the Black Lives Matter movement, and second how the US seems locked into debate over healthcare. The problems in the system rooted in its foundations, shown here as the seeds of a new hospital are being sown for financial reasons rather than humanitarian ones. The show is unflinching in its depiction of the era, landing emotional and intellectual punches on the viewer.
It’s a very singular vision from Steven Soderbergh, who shot, directed, and edited each episode. There is an economy about the way he frames this pulsating world, with one take moments, single camera usage, and minimal camera movement. It’s a masterclass in composition. His restraint helps deal with much of the horror glimpsed: an open chest, intestines spilling out, a pus-filled abscess being drained, or racially motivated violence. The show doesn’t linger, but the impact is the same. The gratuity that would come with a less skilled hand is absent. This uglier element is tempered by more inmate scenes; warmly lit rooms, sepia-tinted opium dens, and dark wood covered offices contrast with the stark whites of surgery. It’s immersive, tangible, and unnerving.
Cliff Martinez (The Neon Demon, Drive) returns once more to give a electronic, modern edge to the musical composition. His pulsating score is the heartbeat of the entire show, an aspect that truly connects this period piece with our modern era. Also returning are most of the cast from last season and Owen, Hewson, Holland, and co. are outstanding and deserving of all the hyperbole heaped upon them. There is a surprising end to the season, which I shall not spoil here. It’s an ending which further fans the fires of speculation as to whether the show gets a third season; some speculate a two season run was the plan all along. If it continues, there is plenty of material to mine here; if not, then these 20 episodes represent something very special. It’s one of the most impressive mergers of narrative, acting, production values, and directing expertise to grace our screens.
THE PACKAGEThe Knick is an incredibly handsome looking show. Thankfully the picture quality on this release is an impressive one. Detail and contrast are top notch, showcasing crisp surgical whites, deep blacks, and lush sepia tones. The 10 episodes and extras are spread over 4 discs, presented with a slip case. There’s also a digital copy included.
Bonus Features include:
- The Knick Under Construction — A revealing behind the scenes look at many of the sets from the show led by Production Designer Howard Cummings.
- Inside the Costume Shop — Costume designer Ellen Mirojnick talks about her approach to designing the look for the show with assistance from actors André Holland and Juliet Rylance. Nice insights and some entertaining banter.
- Invitation to the Ball — One of the most impressive sequences in season 2 is a charity ball that occurs in episode 7. In this feature, director Steven Soderbergh and show creators Jack Amiel & Michael Begler discuss how it was achieved. Worth watching for details of Soderbergh’s tracking shot alone.
- Inside the Body Shop — The Knick gets a little gruesome at times; this feature shows how some of the standout surgical procedures were researched, set up, and executed on-screen.
- Behind the Scenes — Footage intercut with cast interviews that takes a look at some of the pertinent themes their characters dealt with during the season.
- Post-Ops — Short recaps for each episode.
- Knicktoids — A host of little inside details about multiple aspects of the show.
- Audio Commentaries — Three episode commentaries with cast and crew.
The extras are plentiful, if a little short at times. It’s a fascinating show, from casting to writing to production to direction. The extras admirably touch on each, but most viewers will be ravenous for more. A complement to the quality of the show.
THE BOTTOM LINEThe Knick is one of the best shows on TV in recent years and gets a release worthy of its quality. A deeply layered tale of addiction, skill, ambition, and medical progress set in an immaculately realized turn of the century New York. The old is made new again by Soderbergh’s skilled hand, resulting in a very modern period piece and one of the most distinctive and engrossing shows out there.
The Knick Season 2 is available August 2nd from Cinemax.
