Set in downtown New York in 1900, 'The Knick' is centered on the Knickerbocker Hospital and its staff, notably Dr. John Thackery, the hospital's brilliant chief surgeon who pushes medicine's boundaries, pioneering new procedures despite a severe drug addiction.
Set in downtown New York in 1900, 'The Knick' is centered on the Knickerbocker Hospital and its staff, notably Dr. John Thackery, the hospital's brilliant chief surgeon who pushes medicine's boundaries, pioneering new procedures despite a severe drug addiction.
The series' central thesis explicitly critiques systemic racism, class inequality, and gender discrimination within the context of early 20th-century medicine. Its narrative consistently highlights the suffering caused by these oppressive structures, aligning with a progressive ideological framework.
The series features visible diversity through a prominent Black character whose experiences are central to the narrative. It explicitly critiques traditional power structures, portraying the systemic racism and sexism prevalent in early 20th-century society through the challenges faced by its minority and female characters.
The Knick portrays a significant lesbian relationship with dignity and complexity, highlighting the societal pressures of the early 20th century. The narrative explores the challenges of living authentically and includes a character arc of acceptance, ultimately affirming the worth of their love despite external obstacles.
The show portrays Christianity with nuance, critiquing institutional hypocrisy while simultaneously presenting devout characters like Sister Harriet as deeply compassionate and heroic. Her actions, driven by Christian charity, are framed sympathetically, positioning the audience to condemn her persecution and affirm the virtues of her faith.
Judaism is depicted with respect, primarily through the Chickering family and Dr. Levi Zinberg, who are portrayed as intelligent, ethical, and contributing members of society. The series acknowledges the prejudice faced by Jewish individuals but frames their faith and cultural identity positively.
The movie does not contain any action or adventure elements.
The Knick is an original historical drama series featuring fictional characters created for the show. There is no prior source material or historical record establishing the gender of its main characters that could be swapped.
The Knick is an original television series featuring characters created specifically for the show. There is no prior source material, previous installment, or historical record for its fictional characters to establish a canonical race that could be subsequently altered.
Combines user and critic ratings from four sources