Forget House M.D., This Medical Drama With 96% Rotten Tomatoes Is True Gem of the Genre

Summary:

• The Knick is perfect for fans of House M. D. – this is a dark and realistic show about a brilliant doctor suffering from drug addiction, but more dramatic.
• All episodes of the show were directed by Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh, who strived to make the work of 20th century surgeons look as convincing as possible.
• Both seasons of The Knick are available to watch on Max.

If you've seen House M.D. a hundred times and want more stories about cynical, drug-addicted genius doctors, The Knick is for you. This show became one of the first signs that TV series are reaching a new level of quality – now neither A-list stars nor deservedly great directors shy away from them.

The show about a surgeon living and working at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries was directed entirely by Oscar-winner Steven Soderbergh, with Clive Owen in the lead role.

The main difference between The Knick and other popular medical dramas like Grey's Anatomy is the eerie realism, which at times resembles real body horror.

What is The Knick About?

New York, 1900. Medicine is on the verge of great changes brought about by electricity, industrialization, and the globalization. But before new methods are mastered, someone has to experience all the hardships of failed surgeries, complications, and misunderstandings from colleagues.

At New York's Knickerbocker Hospital, such a "pioneer" was Dr. Thackery – a rude man who did not respect authority, a talented doctor and inventor, suffering from cocaine addiction, a sincere fan of medicine, capable of performing real miracles on the operating table.

Сocaine, workplace conflict, cynicism, and sociopathy do connect House and Thackery, but only superficially. The Knick’s main character is a much more tragic figure. The doctor, played by Hugh Laurie, was surrounded by caring staff, worked with the best equipment, and could afford to relax. Clive Owen plays a doctor who is at odds with the world and himself.

All Episodes Were Shot by Soderbergh Himself

Soderbergh personally shot every episode of The Knick, both as director and cinematographer. An almost unique case for modern TV series, where usually major directors only shoot the pilot episode. Here, Soderbergh personally developed the dark and depressing visual style of the series and shot all of the material.

The Knick Is As Realistic As Possible

Soderbergh warned in advance that he would deliberately include at least one hyper-realistic scene in each episode that would make even the seasoned viewers cover their eyes. The show's writers, Jack Amiel and Michael Begler, delved into the archives of surgical hospitals and studied the details of the operations of the time to make the show asocnvincing as possible.

Add to this the realistic modern props and Soderbergh's sophisticated cinematography – the result is that even the actors felt sick, although everyone understood that they were seeing silicone limbs and fake blood.

The Knick Is Available on Max

So if you are not afraid of blood and have always dreamed of seeing how the great surgeons of the 20th century worked, then The Knick is definitely the show you need to watch right now – both seasons are available on Max.