Comments on: Review & Recap: ’The Knick’ Season 2, Episode 10, ‘This Is All We Are’

By: nweastcoaster

nweastcoaster — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

@jon D, Interesting points, food for thought

@Cindy, I saw a headline in Variety that Cinemax has requested a script for season 3 of the Knick!?

By: Cindy Diamond

Cindy Diamond — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

A Season 3? I hope so.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

Doesn\’t anyone besides me think Thackery\’s death is a dream of one of the characters (Bertie?) or a drug-induced fantasy of Thack\’s? It does seem too soap-operatic for these series writers, but I for one am hopeful.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

just let it end after 2 seasons. no need to stretch everything to the extend it turns to poo.

By: Jon D

Jon D — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

I had a different read of the ending from what you argue here. Although I do appreciate the analysis.

Thackery\’s self surgery was a suicide, completing the same cycle of his mentor, Christiansen. Thack couldn\’t live with the guilt of losing the little girl and Abigail, just like Christiansen and the failure of the placenta praevia. He lost his belief in medicine, his passion, and the fight against death. In his eulogy to Christiansen he promised to push medicine forward. From his perspective, he failed at this.

A lot of people will argue this was a downward spiral of obsession or addiction. Maybe they\’re not wrong. However, I think Thackery lost faith in his real obsession – medicine, the fight against death. When we lose hope in our obsessions, those which drive us, what do we have left?

This episode was so full of heartache and nihilism. We always lose this fight. I cried.

By: Mick

Mick — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

A haunting two-season portrait of a society driven by nothing more than pure self-interest (a recurring Soderbergh theme). Chilling finale.

By: martha500

martha500 — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

nobody thinks that Thack is still alive? that Bertie´s adrenaline actually worked and we´ll have a future season about a genius Bertie and an infamous dr Thackery

By: Gloria

Gloria — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

I am hoping we get to see season 3 of The Knick. Clive Owen, as always, was spectacular in his role as Thackery and while I would prefer the writers came up with a clever way of keeping him alive for another season, I think the remaining characters and their unfinished stories have left us needing to know. The storylines not featuring Thackery can hold their own. So much talent all around in this series!

By: Sharon

Sharon — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

Did you see this from Variety? "Variety reports that Cinemax has ordered a premiere script and season outline for the third season of its early-20th-century hospital drama The Knick, which may come as a surprise to some viewers as last night\’s episode ended with the death of series lead Doctor Thackery (Clive Owen). Variety\’s report, however, doesn\’t imply that Cinemax is going to mimic any of that Jon Snow business. Owen told Variety that he only planned to do two seasons of the show, so Thackery will probably stay dead. And while the series itself was initially built for a two-year arc, according to a statement from Cinemax, all-star director Steven Soderbergh and creators Michael Begler and Jack Amiel have been discussing ways to continue the story.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Amiel went into more detail on The Knick\’s possible future. "It seems that way, doesn\’t it?" the co-showrunner said in response to a question about whether Thackery is really dead. But Amiel was more forthcoming about a possible, Clive Owen–less future. "There’s a lot of ways to do this, absolutely," he said. "Steven [Soderbergh] always says the hospital show is the most durable format in television and that’s true." It might be hard for a low-rated show on a minor network to continue without its star, but now could be the time for that Algernon spinoff we all want."

By: michelle

michelle — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

Without Clive Owen driving the madness, I don\’t see a lot of hope in a captivating third season. The drama would need to be re-built entirely. So who knows what could come about? A new series, new characters, new drama. If it\’s as well written and executed as Seasons 1 and 2 of The Knick I\’d give it a go!

By: Keith McLeod

Keith McLeod — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

Well it is over, and like many others I\’ve been addicted to happy Hollywood endings. My compliments to the writers, producers and actors. You gave Fran and I many enjoyable hours for a first rate program we\’ve referred to others. With the obscure ending it wasn\’t definite that Thackery died to hint about a possible 3rd season; however, it has a greater impact with just 2 seasons. We move on . . .

By: ADAM YATES

ADAM YATES — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

Spoiler, spoilers, spoilers

Pushing below the fold.

Spoiler, spoilers, spoilers, Spoiler, spoilers, spoilers

Yeah, Thack\'s death is probably the most dramatic climax the writers could have imagined, but considering the real world, isn\'t it kind of dumb to kill off one the main reasons, if not THE main reason, people watch the series, Thackery? I hope you\'re right, Sharon...

By: Rahul

Rahul — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

Small detail, but I think Barrow\’s rash is more likely secondary syphilis as opposed to cancer. The claim that he had seen hundreds of x-rays is probably false and even then, he was not the one being exposed. Much more likely he got syphilis from Junia.

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

It really isn\’t conclusive that Thackery is dead. In the experiment they did with the rabbit, Thackery believed it to be dead, only for Bertie to revive it moments after. Time will only tell, as apparently, Seasons 3 and 4, if made, will air in 2017!? Too long of a wait! Blarg!
There are two ways to go. Bring him back to life with the adrenaline, repair him, the show goes on as before…potentially, with Clive Owen at the Helm, OR, kill him off, and move in an entirely new direction with the show. Doesn\’t anyone else think there\’s a possibility they\’ll want to keep such a vibrant and lively character into their next seasons?

By: yo

yo — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

Erin, it is conclusive, if you\’ve read The Playlist\’s interview with Steven Soderbergh — the same post has a podcast from the writer/creators that says the same, fyi.

By: mike c

mike c — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

Well-written recap, thanks. As for the finale found it underwhelming but agree it was a dignified end.

By: Mark C

Mark C — Fri, 13 May 2016 09:29:40 +0000

UK viewer here – just watched season 2 and was rather disappointed by the finale. The Knick has always been prone to melodrama but, as one commentator says here, that was rather soap-operatic and, dare I say it, a bit silly. There\’s mileage for a third season I guess, but it would need a radical overhaul with completely new characters in the hospital\’s new Harlem based home. I\’d be happy with this – as long as we still have Cleary and Harriet; possibly the best storyline and characters in this second run.