Anyone watch "The Knick" on Cinemax?

[LynneSin]

I have to admit they could have a show where Clive Owen does absolutely nothing but read the phone book for an hour and I'd watch that. I've always had a bit of a crush on him. So I decided to check out 'The Knick', this show about a hospital in Lower Manhattan back in the early 1900s. Owen plays this talented Chief of Surgeon who is also troubled with an Opium/Cocaine habit (I'm sure we'll learn one day how that happened). The patrons of the hospital are forcing him to integrate with a very talented doctor who was Harvard trained and practiced surgery at the best hospitals in Europe but of course no one told Owen's character that the doctor also happens to be African-American. (They found out when the guy showed up for his first day of work although the Patrons of the hospital knew and threatened to withhold new electrical hookups if they didn't hire the guy). And this is all being directed by Steven Sodenburgh who does amazing stuff. There are a few scenes where you just want to turn away it's so gruesome. I mean it's one thing to see them operating up close on a patient but back in the turn of the 19th century they didn't have crazy things like Latex Gloves, Masks or modern anesthesia. Plus it's an operating theater so the people watching the operations - there's no glass between them and the operating room.

So far it looks promising but then again it's Clive Owens - gotta love that. Not sure why they put this on Cinemax. Usually HBO gets all this high quality television but oh well.

[avebury]

1. I am watching it on HBO. nt

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. me too

or I will be after it records in an hour

[avebury]

4. Unfortunately HBO will only have the 1st episode. nt

[Sedona]

2. I watched it today

I liked it.

[femmocrat]

5. The surgeries were too graphic for me.

I did like the introduction of the African-American doctor, though!

[Laffy Kat]

6. I saw it. I love medical shows.

The more realistic the better. I haven't decided if I like this one yet. I'll give it two more tries before making up my mind, though.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

7. Caught the first 2 episodes --

I like it so far. Much of it plays like some bizarre fever dream. Just when you get comfortable with it as a "hospital drama" they throw you a curve ball, like that young child having to go do her "shift" at the factory or the ambulance crew bringing out the bats to compete for patients.

I am a big fan of both Owens and Soderbergh, so I am looking forward to future episodes.

I've also been watching "The Leftovers" and really enjoying that. And, of course, the last few shows of "True Blood". I was disappointed in the Tara ending -- I really thought it was going to be much bigger than that. Am waiting to see if they let Bill die and Sookie ends up with Eric as she did at one point in the books. I am also wondering if Eric/Pam will renege on allowing New Blood to be only a partial cure.

[CBGLuthier]

8. watching "The Leftovers" and really enjoying that.

From what i have heard you may be the only human being on the planet enjoying The Leftovers.

[femmocrat]

10. I'm not sure if I "enjoy" The Leftovers, but I'm still watching it.

I have seen every episode. I think there are only three left. There is something mesmerizing about it, to me. I really like the character, Nora.

[LynneSin]

11. Many of the critics felt that 'The Leftovers' started out too slow

I know the first few episodes I wasn't sure if I liked the show and most critics felt the same way. But the main reason I watched was because of the Guilty Remnants. Amy Brennan is doing an amazing job in a part where technically she doesn't say a word. She has the most amazing stare. And I am enjoying Liv Tyler's character descent into the GR from when she was first recruited until now, when she has finally accepted it and started with her 'silent glaring chain smoker in white' persona.

I was also sad to see Gladys, another GR who seemed to be the sidekick of the leader, killed off. She was quirky fun and I couldn't remmeber where I saw her before on TV. Then I looked her up on IMDB - she Don Guise's quirky daughter from '30 Rock'. She was only in about a dozen very memorable episodes. She somehow ended up as CEO of NBC and she had this very childlook goofball silent demeanor to herself (I don't thinks he said a word in 30 Rock either).

[Hell Hath No Fury]

13. The actress who is playing Nora ia amazing!

I have never seen her work before and have been seriously impressed. The whole shooting fetish -- yikes, the intensity in that scene was amazing. Lots of good stuff for an actress to play with.

I agree that it is mesmerizing -- there is a constant sense that every character is around one good push away from insanity.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

12. I don't think it is for everyone.

It's really more a character study than anything else, and I am sure that is irritating to folks who were expecting something different. I appreciate that kind of focus and love to watch good actors do their thing. I have never found myself bored and have watched most of the episodes again to catch things I may have missed.

[LynneSin]

9. My thoughts

I only thought one episode was done so far of 'The Knick' but it was good enough for me to see more of it. Also a big fan of 'The Leftovers' but I haven seen last night's episode yet (I usually watch it Monday night since I tend to go to bed right after "True Blood" is done).

Also I don't think it's Eric/Pam reneging as much as Mr. Gus is. Sookie heard Mr. Gus' thoughts and it seems like he's leading on Pam & Eric. Not so much as Mr. Gus' intention with New Blood only being a temporary fix for Hep-V (instead of the instant cure that is Sarah's Blood) but the idea of Eric being the 'Jenny Craig spokesperson' for New Blood. I think Mr Gus plans to have Pam & Eric meet the New Death and it will be Sookie that saves the day.

Personally I think the writers are gearing towards Sookie ending up with Sam, like she did at the series ending of the books. Already Sam and his girlfriend are having problems (She hates Bon Temps and wants to move home) and not sure if Sookie can ever be cured of her Hep-V positive blood. We know Sarah's blood will cure those infected by human hosts but Sookie isn't 100% Human. Bill's infection from her blood was much faster than normal humans. SO I'm wondeirng if the writers are going to go the way of the books and have her end up with Sam.