When the episode open, we see Dr. Thackery (Clive Owen) attending a hypnosis session. He wanders around the venue, before coming across conjoined twins, Zoya (Miranda Gruss) and Nika (Rebecca Gruss). Thackery introduces himself to the twins’ owner, Lester Brockhurst (Frederick Weller). Thackery encourages the man to bring the twins to the Knick, so he can investigate them. Lester refuses, unless he is paid for their visitation and Thackery eventually agrees to his demands. Meanwhile, Anne Chickering (Linda Emond) undergoes an X-Ray. Dr. Algernon (Andre Holland) gets some new glasses.

He formulates a plan of action with Dr. Bertie Chickering (Michael Angarano). They agree that the radiation will be much less risky than attempting to cut into the windpipe. When Algie mentions that Dr. Levi Zinberg (Michael Nathanson) will be against the ideal, Bertie enlists Algie’s help. Back at the Knick, Henry Robertson (Charles Aitken) gets a visit and a hand job from Lucy Elkins (Eve Hewson). She tells him to hurry up and deliver her invitation to the fundraiser ball. He agrees and insists it’ll be arriving soon. Algie shoes a friend and Dr. Daniels (Colman Domingo) around the hospital. Algie agrees to try and convince Thackery to allow them to perform the hernia surgery at The Knick.

When Dr. Everett Gallinger (Eric Johnson) returns home, he discovers that Eleanor (Maya Kazan) has invited Dr. Henry Cotton (John Hodgman) to dinner. Eleanor admits she was hoping to thank Dr. Cotton for his services, but Everett remains unimpressed. Cotton insists Eleanor may be fit to have children once more. During dinner, Cotton gets ill and is forced to leave. Next, Bertie and Algie begin the surgery on Anne, while Bertram (Reg Rogers) watches on. The surgery fails and the tumor fails to shrink, so Bertie prepares to extract it with a scalpel.

Algie attempts to talk him out of the maneuver, but Bertie plows ahead anyway. Anne begins to smoother, before Dr. Levi Zinberg rushes in. Even with Zinberg’s help, they are unable to save Anne. Afterwards, Zinberg scorns Bertie for his actions. Bertie gives his resignation, before returning to his father. Bertram admits he isn’t angry with his son and is glad that he at least tried. That night, Abigail Alford (Jennifer Ferrin) awakes and glances at Thackery, who is sleeping on the floor. Thackery dreams about Abi, before she transforms into a young girl.

Sister Harriet (Cara Seymour) speaks with two women about sex and pregnancy. Back at the Knick, Thackery attempts to put Cleary (Chris Sullivan) under hypnosis. Once he fades to sleep, Thackery tells him that he’ll never wants his tobacco pipe again. When woken up, Cleary pretends to be affair of his pipe, before revealing the hoax. On the way out, Algie tells Thackery about Garrison Carr (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine) and his hernia. Thackery agrees to speak with the board, but he remains pessimistic about the potential of operating on a colored individual at the Knick.

Bertie confronts Thackery and reveals that he has returned. Thackery accepts him in without hesitation. Cornelia Robertson (Juliet Rylance) visits the immigrant and learns more information about the inspector and the plague. Back at the Knick, Bertie makes amends with Lucy. Lucy invites Bertie and Genevieve (Arielle Goldman) to the fundraiser ball. Henry meets with his father and speaks to his about the hernia sugery, but August disagrees. He reveals Herman (Jeremy Bobb) has meet with donors, who are nervous about the situation. Cornelia speaks with a guard at the docks and learns that diseased immigrants are sent back to their homelands.

Lester brings the twins to the hospital and insults them, before leaving. Herman shows off his new apartment to Junia (Rachel Korine). She is unimpressed and insists she would prefer a room, which overlooks the park. They head to a private room and have intercourse, before being interrupted by Ping Wu. Back at the hospital, Thackery X-rays the girls and learns that they only share a kidney. He informs them that they can be separated. He also learns the truth about the girls and their history. When they regroup with Lester, Thackery reveals his plan to separate the girls, but Lester refuses.

Lester leaves in a hurry. That night, Cleary and Thackery break into Lester’s home. Cleary manhandles Lester and Thackery rescues the girls. He takes them back to the hospital and lets Cleary watch over them throughout the night. The next day, Thackery experiments and manages to remove a kidney, without killing his test subject. Sister Harriet visits and heads for pie with Cleary. Cleary learns about Harriet’s turmoil with the nuns and also discovers that the money he has been sending her has been stolen from the holy ladies. Angrily, he insists Harriet is coming to his placing and staying.

At the end of the episode, Genevieve comforts Bertie. Genevieve reveals that her apartment will be empty for the time being. Back at the Knick, Lucy finally receives her invitation to the ball. Abigail tells Thackery she cannot do this anymore and tells him he will need to move out. The pair kiss, as the episode comes to an end.

 

The Knick Review

The 6th episode of The Knick was very good. Bertie and Algie’s operation and the death of Anne were very dramatic. Of course, Thackery and the twins were undoubtedly the most exciting moments of the episode. Finally, Lucy Elkins was fairly interesting. The character may begin to play a major role with Bertie back at the Knick. With Bertie back where he belongs, this episode deserves an 8.5 out of 10.

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