
This show (and every historical drama I watch) always teaches me something about how the world used to be and how we got to where we are today. In the case of The Knick, I’m learning all about surgical procedures at the turn of the century and, quite frankly, some of it is turning my stomach. But if it wasn’t for the real doctors who pioneered these new techniques and instruments, we wouldn’t have come as far in the field of medicine as we are today. So when I watch Thackery and Edwards and the rest of the surgeons at The Knickerbocker struggling to save their patients lives, I know the science is based on history and it makes me that much more invested in this story.
When Thackery’s ex-girlfriend, Abigail Alford, unexpectedly reappears, she’s suffering from what I discovered is saddle nose. She’s only been with two men in her life – Thackery and her husband – and the very matter-of-fact way which she tells him that her cheating husband gave her syphilis is interesting. I have to say, I love the way Thackery is clinical about it because I feel like his behavior takes the stigma away from her disease. She claims she doesn’t care, but how can she not when she’s stared at every time she goes out in public? He wants to recommend that another surgeon take her case, but Abigail tells him she’d be much more comfortable if he were to perform it. It seems like a lot to go through for what, in essence, is a flap of skin to cover her nasal cavity but if it’ll give her even one moment of peace or comfort, I can understand why she’s doing it.
Her visit also gives us a window into Thackery. She loved him, but she hated the chaos that surrounded him. She was being courted by him and Alford at the same time and she had to make a choice about what kind of life she wanted. I’m sure it wasn’t one where the proof of her husband’s philandering ways is displayed on her face for all to see, but it’s a choice she has to live with. Thackery demonstrates that he still cares for her when he threatens that talkative nurse during Abigail’s surgery for her running – and quite rude – commentary. Maybe for the first time since they started working together, Lucy sees something in him she can admire and appreciate other than his cutting skills.

Edwards recruits the coal workers to help him with his patient intake, all of who are instructed to ask about the washing job so Edwards can keep his extracurricular activities secret. But he’s able to see patients and even perform surgery on a patient with a herniated disc. Because he fears being discovered, Edwards is unable to keep that patient on bed rest and although he cautions the man about going back to work, his patient is more worried about his job than his recovery. Edward has to rush to get him back on his table and repair his earlier work, but his patient dies. Wanting to drown his sorrows in drink – and maybe also find someone to blame for his patient’s death – Edwards goes to a bar. He encounters a braggart and refuses to back down when challenged. Edwards is very good with his fists, but I think that’s because he’s had to be. I like that he won’t run from a fight, but maybe he shouldn’t go looking for them either.
Although Gallinger and Thackery are loath to ask for help, they’re running out of time and they know when they’ve been defeated, or at least Thackery does. Gallinger and Chickering have stopped trying to decipher the medical journal and have moved on to practicing the galvanic procedure on pigs. When they can’t make any progress, they go to Thackery. Gallinger is still determined not to ask Edwards for help, because he thinks Edwards is a fraud, but Thackery knows when they’ve been beat. They’ll have Edwards talk them through the procedure and Thackery promises that Edwards will not touch the patient.
When wealthy patients start getting a poor man’s disease, the health inspector is called in. Cornelia talks to Speight about the Hemmings and offers to accompany him uptown as an ambassador. Speight tells her his position will get him through any door in the city, but Cornelia informs him that without her none of those families will talk. So whether or not he wants to work with her to get to the root of what may become a typhoid outbreak, they both need to play nice. She also seems to have success in convincing Thackery to perform surgery on Cora. He didn’t like her chances and thought Cora would most likely die on his table, but he changes his mind and the surgery goes well.

Herman’s wife Effie has no idea of her husband’s financial straits, which is demonstrated when she shows up at his work and asks for money. Still needing to pay off his debt, Herman takes one of the bodies out of the morgue and sells it to God knows who – maybe one of the other hospitals – for some cash. He pays Bunky off and, of course, the tooth returned to him is not his own, but that’s of no concern to his bookie. He gives pearl earrings to his mistress – the very same earrings his wife asked him about earlier and he accused the maid of stealing. Whatever else he gets up to, his mistress is another financial drain on his resources, but one he seems only too happy to pay for.
Other developments
Cornelia is engaged to a man named Phillip, who is working for her father’s shipping business. The wedding planning is currently underway, even though he’s in Chicago right now.
Cleary has figured out what Sister Harriet does in her spare time and he’s started making sly comments about it. I really think it’s only a matter of time before he tries to blackmail her to keep him quiet.
Random question:
Why is Herman breaking down those pigs and burning them? It is illegal for the doctors to kill them and practice medical procedures on them? I’ll do some research.
Some memorable quotes:
Thackery: “Germs don’t examine your bank book.â€
Gallinger: “Those people are known to exaggerate their accomplishments.â€
Edwards: “His pulse, Mrs. Gamble.â€
Mrs. Gamble: “He’s still got one.â€
Edwards: “Close enough.â€
The Knick airs Fridays at 10/9c on Cinemax.
Related posts
Classics
John Griffin and Harold Perrineau Talk From on EPIX Season 1 Finale
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] How are we doing, #FROMily? In case you missed it this morning, the very good news is that that cliffhanger will be followed by a second season, which was gifted this morning ahead of the linear broadcast of the finale. I always legitimately appreciate when we…
Elizabeth Saunders Talks EPIX’s From
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] One of the things that makes EPIX’s From such a fun ride is the abundance of Canadian cast members. Elizabeth Saunders, who plays Donna, is a favorite from her turn on the third season of Mary Kills People, which US audiences still have not been able…
Corteon Moore Talks From “Broken Windows, Open Doors”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight’s episode of From had us all in our feels as we learned through flashbacks about the Sophie’s Choice Boyd had to make to save his son, and back in the present as Boyd said his piece with Ellis before heading into the woods with…
Pegah Ghafoori Talks From “All Good Things…”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode] Tonight on From, Fatima’s anniversary celebration turned into a Colony House of horrors when a misguided Kevin let his monster bae in and she promptly killed him and left the window open for her crew. While the party devolved into terror and sent everyone running,…
Shaun Majumder Talks From “Book 74”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight on EPIX’s From, Father Khatri made a bold move, kidnapping Sara instead of turning her in, and then recognizing her as a vessel for some big messages. That startling realization speaks to him on multiple levels–as a man of faith, a man trapped in…
Avery Konrad Talks About Sara’s Struggle in From “Silhouettes”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Over the course of the season so far on From, we’ve witnessed Sara’s battle against the voices telling her to to do terrible things, and tonight we saw her unravel further, threatening the Matthews and lashing out in a moment of terror with horrifying results….
Hannah Cheramy Talks From “Choosing Day”
[Warning: Spoilers for tonight’s episode.] Tonight, on EPIX’s From, the Matthews participate in the show’s version of the sorting hat, choosing where to call home–the town or Colony House. At the end of the episode, Julie makes the decision to split from her family and instead settle in with Fatima…
Ricky He Talks From “The Way Things Are Now”
[Warning: Spoilers for episode 102 of EPIX’s From.] Epix’s new series From is two episodes in and it’s already laying the groundwork for a seriously spooky season. Tonight’s episode demonstrated the careful balance of relief and horror that the show hits, with our characters’ worst fears realized, just not when…
Catching Up with Ted Lasso and Previewing Season 2
[Warning: General spoilers ahead.] The not so dirty little secret about how I approach a new series is that I sometimes make a call based on the headspace I’m in at the time. It’s been a minute since I’ve picked up a show after the first season and then binge…
Interview: Henri Esteve on Grown-ish Season 3
An interview with Henri Esteve, who plays Javi on Freeform’s Grown-ish. He talks about his season three experience.
What They Said: Three Revealing Conversations from Survivor’s Remorse “Closure”
WARNING: Spoilers for Survivor’s Remorse “Closure” The latest episode of Starz’s Survivor’s Remorse featured conversations that showed characters really digging deep into their thoughts, emotions and motivations.
Two Takes: The Catch “The Knock-Off”
Who can you trust? If this episode of The Catch was any indication, the answer is just about nobody. Betrayal was running rampant as Felicity (Shivani Ghai) arose from the dead to seduce-con Margot, Gretchen (Maria Thayer, Gotham, The Mindy Project) played gold-hearted Alice 2.0 before swindling Ethan, Tessa jumped…
What They Said: Top 3 Quotable Moments from Preacher “El Valero”
Both Quincannon and Jesse refuse to give up on what they each think is rightfully theirs. While Jesse is struggling to face the consequences of his actions, Quincannon has laid his past demons to rest and is hellbent on moving forward and putting Annville on the map again. Despite a…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Supergirl “Worlds Finest”
Oh, Supergirl. That ending was cold. But I can’t hate on you because the latest episode has quickly become one of my favorites.
What They Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Black Sails “XXIII”
The dialogue in “XXIII” is phenomenal. It’s always a fun ride when Black Sails carries its viewers along without giving them the chance to catch their breath. When an episode moves at this unforgiving pace, there is no chance for a breather nor is there a respite from the information…
What Lucifer Said: Favorite quotes from Supernatural “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
Supernatural episodes are almost always funny but thanks to the dialogue and a certain man speaking said dialogue, I laughed a lot during “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” You know, when I wasn’t busy fearing for Sam’s life or wondering what in the world was going on with Dean and…
What They Said: The Flash, “Legends Of Today” and Arrow, “Legends Of Yesterday”
Two nights of Arrow + The Flash = what more could we ask for?! I don’t know what it is about blending these shows, but I can’t help but feel that every time they come together, they somehow become greater than the sum of their parts. And that’s saying a lot…
What they Said: Top 4 Quotable Moments from Graceland “Little Bo Bleep”
Shoot outs. Fake outs. And long-awaited revelations. “Little Bo Bleep” was a jam-packed episode that wrapped up some loose ends and totally frayed others. Â It finally gave us one Sarkissian in jail and pulled back the curtain on Briggs’ master plan, but it also set up Jakes for a world…
What They Said: Favorite Quotes from Poldark “Part 4”
“What have I told you, I don’t require my wife to crochet and sip tea, but I do require her to remember she’s not a beast of burden.†No, I’m not talking about The Rolling Stones! I have to admit though, just for a second, the lyrics popped into my…
3 Moments of Goodness from Brooklyn Nine-Nine “Johnny and Dora”
The most satisfying part of this season’s finale has to the Jake and Amy kiss. Well, they kiss three times but the last one is the best one — and it means something. The Charles and Rosa dynamic was also great. I love how she’s convinced he doesn’t know anything…