When the episode opens, we flashback and are transported to Nicaragua. Dr. Thackery (Clive Owen) travels along with a donkey and eventually comes to a small town. He is introduced to his patient, who isn’t suffering from yellow fever. Thackery grows angry that he was lied to and unable to bring the proper supplies to treat the small pox. When he heads outside, he is called aside by Captain August Robertson (Grainger Hines), who is chained to a tree. August pleads with Thackery for help and reveals that he is being held responsible for bringing the disease to the country.

Thackery attempts to speak to the soldiers and have August freed, but his attempt is futile. Thackery eventually negotiates for August’s release, but he agrees to cure the small pox, without medications. He heads into the woods, obtains some plants and concocts his own cure. Afterwards, we switch back to modern times and see Thackery drinking a liquid, before vomiting. The twins, Zoya (Miranda Gruss) and Nika (Rebecca Gruss), finally walk separately for the first time. Their balance is a little shaky, but they manage to pull it off.

Next, Dr. Everett Gallinger (Eric Johnson) enters the Knick and is confronted by the inspector. He is told that he managed to discover Dr. Cotton’s killer. Everett is surprised to learn that Cotton’s sons confessed to the murder. He is even more surprised to find out that they killed themselves after the confession. Afterwards, Cornelia Robertson (Juliet Rylance) speaks with Phillip (Tom Lipinski), who is preparing to leave for Ohio. Phillip invites her to tag along, but she doesn’t seem interested in taking the trip. Next, Algie (Andre Holland) confronts Thackery and attempts to comfort him.

Algie also informs him that the twins have found a family to adopt them. Meanwhile, Harriet (Cara Seymour) and Tom Cleary (Chris Sullivan) finish packaging their condoms. They also speak about Cleary’s romantic move and Harriet remains angry, by his behavior. Herman Barrow (Jeremy Bobb) manages to hand over the $2,000 to the Metropolitan Club. We switch back to the Knick and witness the twins leave for for their new lives. Unfortunately, Thackery misses their departure. Moments later, Algie and Everett begin bickering back and forth. Thackery finally emerges from the hospital and shuts them up. He clutches his stomach and hits the ground.

Thackery is taken inside of the hospital and Dr. Levi Zinberg (Michael Nathanson) utilizes new technology to inspect his insides. The doctors agree that a section of Thackery’s bowel is ischemic. Thackery admits his cocaine use has likely led to the problem. However, he refuses surgery and admits he wants to try and rectify the problem in another way. Next, Effie Barrow (Molly Price) pays a visit to her husband. She unleashes evidence, which could expose Herman’s nefarious behavior. She negotiates with her husband and forces Herman to purchase her a new apartment. Immediately afterwards, Herman attempts to slow down the construction of The Knick.

Herman heads to Jimmy (Happy Anderson) and attempts to get assistance, but is turned down, since the hospital’s construction is nearly finished. Then, Herman speaks with Henry (Charles Aitken) and speaks to him about the new construction manager, Raphael Warren (Ken Barnett). Despite Herman’s concerns, Henry isn’t interested in slowing down the process any further. After Herman departs, Cornelia enters and speaks to her brother about their father. Henry tells her that August wishes to confess everything and has scheduled a meeting with the pair.

Next, Everett and Algie go in front of the board. Algie attempts to convince the group to strip Everett’s credentials. Despite Algie’s attempts, Everett manages to sway the members into his favor. Outside, Algie prepares to fight Everett, who insists he isn’t going to stoop to Algie’s level. Of course, he lies and sucker punches Algie. He also hits him in the eye with his bag. Everett immediately returns home and tells Dorothy (Annabelle Attanasio) about his deed. The pair begin making out, before Everett takes Dorothy on the floor. Meanwhile, Cleary and Harriet successfully peddle their condoms.

Back at the hospital, Lucy Elkins (Eve Hewson) visits her father, A.D. (Stephen Spinella). She sits down with him and begins tells him about her horrendous behavior with Thackery. She insists she wants him to know about it, before he passes on. She injects him with a potentially fatal dose of drugs, before making her exit. Next, Cornelia meets with her father at the hospital and attempts to get him to admit to his evil deeds. He continues insisting that he had nothing to do with shipping in immigrants. During their conversation, the building catches on fire.

They discover that they’re trapped and begin to panic. Cornelia manages to escape down the elevator shaft, while August remains trapped. Cornelia makes it outside and rendezvous with Henry. They watch as August jumps from an upper story window. We skip back to Nicaragua and watch as Thackery successfully manages to get August freed. As they leave, August speaks about funding the Knickerbocker. When Thackery learns that J.M. Christiansen works at the hospital, he seems thrilled with his potential future.

 

The Knick Review

The 9th episode of The Knick was excellent and delivered a different point of view. The backstory segments were thoroughly interesting and allowed Thackery’s relationship with August Robertson to fully develop. Algie and Everett’s confrontation finally came to a head, but it is likely far from over. All in all, the episode left many questions unanswered. We can only hope the finale manages to cover everything.

The episode deserves an 8 out of 10. Be sure to catch up with previous recaps of The Knick right now!