(Updated after Season 2).
Good, original hospital drama.
Set in the Knickerbocker Hospital in New York from 1900 onwards, a series about the lives of several of the doctors, nurses and staff.
Very original. Hospital/medical dramas are hardly a new or rare thing (though this hasn't prevented there being some brilliant ones - Scrubs springs most immediately to mind). The Knick is quite different though. Being set in 1900 you don't have the luxury of modern medicine and you often get to see now standard procedures being developed in front of your eyes. Also shows how far medicine has come in the last 115 years.
Also easily the most graphic medical drama you'll ever see. You see the surgeries being done. I didn't think I was squeamish until I watched this. Does give the series a very realistic, gritty, unglamorous feel.
Its not just about the medicine. The series also tackles issues such as racism and inequality, abortion and drug addiction (cocaine and heroin were legal at the time...).
Has the usual relationship and romantic stuff too, though these generally weaken the series. While everything else seems to capture the spirit and feel of 1900 quite well, the writers and director quite keenly project 21st century morals and relationship conventions onto their 1900 characters - it just seems out of place.
In addition, Season 2 was less compelling watching than Season 1. The novelty may have worn off for me, I fear.
Good, original hospital drama.
Set in the Knickerbocker Hospital in New York from 1900 onwards, a series about the lives of several of the doctors, nurses and staff.
Very original. Hospital/medical dramas are hardly a new or rare thing (though this hasn't prevented there being some brilliant ones - Scrubs springs most immediately to mind). The Knick is quite different though. Being set in 1900 you don't have the luxury of modern medicine and you often get to see now standard procedures being developed in front of your eyes. Also shows how far medicine has come in the last 115 years.
Also easily the most graphic medical drama you'll ever see. You see the surgeries being done. I didn't think I was squeamish until I watched this. Does give the series a very realistic, gritty, unglamorous feel.
Its not just about the medicine. The series also tackles issues such as racism and inequality, abortion and drug addiction (cocaine and heroin were legal at the time...).
Has the usual relationship and romantic stuff too, though these generally weaken the series. While everything else seems to capture the spirit and feel of 1900 quite well, the writers and director quite keenly project 21st century morals and relationship conventions onto their 1900 characters - it just seems out of place.
In addition, Season 2 was less compelling watching than Season 1. The novelty may have worn off for me, I fear.