The veteran directors work gives the show its own distinctive flair and soul.

Soderberghs camera rests steadily on the exposed muscle and tumor thats killing Mrs. Chickering.

There is hardly a sound in the quiet O.R.

besides the ticking of an unseen clock that seems unbearably slow.

Suddenly Alge and Bertie are on the clock as Mr. Chickering puts it.

The clock which once seemed to tick impossibly slow now thumps away like a caffeinated heartbeat.

And what once seemed so simple and focused seems next to impossible.

Scenes like this are the reasonThe Knickis worth tuning into every week.

The camera knows what its doing and knows how to make you feel.

Unfortunately, the writing doesnt quite have the same ability.

Most of it has to do with how the shows scripts are treating its secondary characters.

Alge has a penchant for being a supporting character in his own life.

Part of this is that he is an admirable dude and generally likes to help out.

Bertie doesnt even work at the Knick anymore but Alge likes him so he wants to help him out.

Part of this is also due to his status as Black man in early 1900s America.

Alge isnt allowed to be in charge of his own destiny.

The new Knick should be an integrated facility they conclude but having integrated doctors AND patients?

Its understandable logistically that Alge would take a back seat in his own life to a certain extent.

ButThe Knickstill needs to show he has a life.

Thats not gonna cut it.

Lucy taking control of her sexuality is a big change for her.

She pops by Henrys office for a quick H.J.

to secure her invite to an upcoming Ball.

Far be it from me to tell Lucy how to spend her time and grow as a person.

Still there is a soul hiding in the writing somewhere.

Its not as strong and vibrant as the camera but its there.

Dr. Thackery is pursuing alternative routes for surgery, including an unsuccessful dalliance with hypnotism.

But while at the circus to take in the hypnotists act he comes across conjoined twins Zoe and Mika.

He asks their handler is he can bring them to the hospital to examine.

Its simple but something about the construction of the scene narratively makes it shine.

*Is Thackery operating on a dog or a cat?

The creatures body looked dog-like but the paws looked cat like.

you could feel the comfort; you could smell the room.

The next best thing the writing does is punt the de-conjoining of Zoe and Mika to another week.

Rating:

3 out of 5