'The Knick' Episode 1 Recap [SPOILERS] Steven Soderbergh's Cinemax Series Kicks Off Season 1 With 'Method And Madness' - Clive Owen Leads Remarkable Cast

The Knick already received a second season renewal, most likely due to the man helming the series: director Steven Soderbergh, but the story of a groundbreaking hospital in 1900 has plenty for audiences. Also, a series lead by an Academy Award nominee, Clive Owen, is at the very east an attractive idea. Add in plenty of sexual intrigue, race issues and the fact that this is airing on Cinemax and you've got the next big cable hit. (SPOILERS to follow)

Check out our exclusive interview with cast member Juliet Rylance, who portrays Cornelia Roberston, right here!

Character development usually takes at least a whole episode, but we learn all we need to know about Dr. John W. Thackery before the title screen pops up. He abuses cocaine, but maintains an air of superiority and calmness - surely a great surgeon with plenty to give to the audience. Is this Clive Owen's best performance? We'll have two full seasons to answer this question starting with The Knick's pilot.

Plus, our first surgery of the 1900s hospital drama, which is the second scene of the episode, definitely sets a tone we should get used to. A failed 8-month pregnancy c-section surgery ends in bloody tragedy, and the eventual suicide of Thackery's senior surgeon, Dr. Christenson. Thackery then takes over the vacant head surgeon position, and needs a deputy - enter Algernon Edwards (Andre Holland).

As African American surgeon, Edwards is clearly at a disadvantage and Thackery isn't "interested in an integrated hospital." But the addition of Edwards to the hospital could be helpful in the long run, so Thackery eventually gives in and hires him. We assume that it'll take some time for him to accept him as his assistant chief surgeon.

As we're introduced to new characters, we learn that pretty much everyone does some shady dealings around The Knickerbocker Hospital. Ambulance drivers fight each other for the sick; health inspectors take bribes; and The Knick's superintendant bribes the health inspector.

Despite the dark, there is the bright light that is Cornelia Robertson (Juliet Rylance), the hospital's manager whose father owns the Knick. Also, Dr. Chickering, also known as "Bertie" (Michael Angarano), seems to be as angelic as his employer, though a bit more adjusted to the harshness of the hospital.

Meanwhile, Thackery is seeing ghosts - namely that of Christenson - when he's alone and wanting cocaine. That's always good! His addiction actually keeps him working; he's essentially a highly functioning drug addict.

Where this show shines - in direction, writing and acting - is the surgeries. The intensity is felt in every millisecond. Viewers fully understand what's at stake and it's all explained quite well by Thackery.

The Knick's pilot episode definitely opened up a world that most of us probably never thought we'd get to see. As an audience, we're definitely wondering what's in store for these characters as the show progresses, but we're really asking ourselves - what's in store for us?