'The Knick' Episode 5 'They Capture The Heat' Recap [SPOILERS] Despite All Of The Death And Darkness, A Reason To Smile Can Be Found - At Least For One Or Two Characters

If we've learned anything while watching the first season of The Knick, it's that this show is one of a kind. In this week's episode, entitled "They Capture the Heat," we see that reality is the hardest aspect to deal with as viewers and that the reality of 1900 New York City is terribly rough. A successful operation gives hope, but how long will it last? Definitely not an entire episode. Let's recap episode 5 of 2014's best drama right here. (SPOILERS to follow)

Read our episode 5 preview right here!

A bullet to a pimp's leg sets the scene for Edwards' first operation assisting Thackery. We get to witness a gruesome surgery, literally at gunpoint, but we also see how John can't help but teach. Nevertheless, when it's all over, the prejudice starts up again, but now the doctors have some more information on Barrow that could work to their advantage(s).

Just like the vacuum and the telegraph from last week, we get to see an amazing innovation in technology: The first x-ray from Thomas Edison. Captain Robertson, after running into Cornelius Vanderbilt -who bragged about donating 3 to another hospital, buys the machine for the Knick. It was fun to see the Captain get angry about money.

In regards to the business propositions, Barrow and a young policeman strike up a deal about prostitution. Obviously Barrow will take advantage of this situation ... though the officer is pretty savvy, so who knows. Also, Cleary and Sister Harriet get on with their abortion dealings that were decided last week. We see that this pairing is probably the best we'll see on the show outside of romantic relationships.

Meanwhile, Gallinger's baby totally has meningitis thanks to his negligence. If you're wondering what we're talking about, he put rat blood in her mouth like an idiot.   

Thackery's botched premature birth operation, just like the opening scene of episode 1, is a harsh reminder that nothing is easy - not even in a television show. When other hospital shows show humanity through happy endings, The Knick shows reality.

Summing up some smaller points:

As we saw in our preview, Thackery helped Algernon's mother with a cyst, thus showing up Edwards in a way.

Edwards' Cuban hernia patient gets silver stitches.

The Captain wants Cornelia to have kids, eventually leaving her responsibilities at the hospital behind.

Bertie's got his eye on Lucy; but is she more interested in Thackery? Watching her teach John how to ride a bike was pretty adorable.

What did you think of this episode? Let us know in the comments section below!