Ep 2. Mr. Paris Shoes

In episode 2 of The Knick's first season, titled "Mr. Paris Shoes," the chaotic and relentless pace of the Knickerbocker Hospital in early 1900s New York City continues. The episode is named after a man who checks in to the hospital with a gruesome foot injury after losing his shoe in a street brawl. Dr. Thackery (played by Clive Owen) and his team are tasked with repairing the man's severely damaged foot, and their procedure is intense and harrowing to witness.

Meanwhile, Dr. John Algernon (played by André Holland) begins to realize the full extent of the racial prejudices and discrimination he faces as a black doctor in a predominantly white hospital. He grows frustrated with the lack of opportunities to perform more complex surgical procedures, and his fellow doctors seem to take pleasure in belittling and undermining him at every opportunity. Despite this, Algernon remains determined to prove himself and make a difference in the field of medicine.

Elsewhere in the hospital, Sister Harriet (played by Cara Seymour) is embroiled in a moral and political battle over her underground abortion clinic. She is determined to continue providing women with safe and legal abortion services, but her actions put her at odds with the hospital administration and law enforcement. With her livelihood and safety on the line, Sister Harriet must navigate a dangerous and complicated landscape in order to continue helping those in need.

The episode also delves deeper into the personal lives of the hospital staff, with a focus on Dr. Gallinger (played by Eric Johnson) and his increasingly troubled marriage. His wife Eleanor (played by Maya Kazan) is struggling with mental health issues, and her erratic behavior and delusions are putting a strain on their relationship. Dr. Gallinger is torn between his love for his wife and his frustration with her illness, and his emotions spill over both in and out of the operating room.

Overall, "Mr. Paris Shoes" is a tense and gripping episode that highlights the various challenges faced by the brave doctors and nurses of the Knickerbocker Hospital. The themes of discrimination, morality, and personal turmoil are interwoven seamlessly into the fast-paced medical drama, creating a truly compelling viewing experience.