When we last saw New York’s Knickerbocker Hospital, it was in a state of shambles. The institution’s first chief of surgery killed himself after an unsuccessful operation, and his replacement, mad-genius Dr. Thackery, had turned to a deadly diet of cocaine and opium to meet the job’s demands. Outside the hospital, Dr. Edwards was left for dead on the street after starting a fight, Dr. Gallinger had just committed his mentally ill wife and Cornelia got married. Nurse Elkins was left in relatively good standing considering how close she came to spinning down Thackery’s drug spiral, but it seems the earnest Dr. “Bertie” Chickering took Thack’s downfall the hardest.
As Season 2 opens in 1901, we find The Knick (Season Premiere, 10 p.m. Friday, Cinemax) in a continued sorry state as the board decides to shut its doors and relocate uptown, where wealthier, more desirable patients await. With Thackery in rehab, Edwards sets his sights on chief of surgery, but Gallinger — who’s wife returns from the sanatorium — refuses to work under a black man. Wrap all of the show’s fictional drama and historical elements in the artistic stylings of director Steven Soderbergh, and you’ve got another 10 engrossing episodes of this addictive series.
WEDNESDAY 14
Empire (9 p.m., Fox) – The divided Lyons put their beef aside to put out a music video for Hakeem’s leaked album. Cookie finds herself back in a familiar situation as Lucious tries to track down Vernon. Maybe Andre can help!
Modern Family (9 p.m., ABC) – Phil becomes obsessed with tending to the duck eggs when no one else seems to care. Elsewhere, Claire is appropriately nervous to pitch her closet idea to Jay and his creative team and Cameron bonds with the frat boys renting the upstairs apartment.
Blackish (9:30 p.m., ABC) – After a less-than-exciting Father’s Day overshadowed by fun summer plans, Dre and his work buddies institute a new holiday. And on Daddy’s Day, there’s not a coffee mug or necktie in sight.
The League (10 p.m., FXX) – Taco coaches Pete for the Beer Mile; Kevin tries to figure out where their gardener goes to the bathroom.
American Horror Story: Hotel (10 p.m., FX) – Fashion designer Will Drake (Cheyenne Jackson) checks into the Cortez; John discovers information about the hotel’s treacherous first owner (Evan Peters).
THURSDAY 15
Nathan For You (Season Premiere, 10 p.m., Comedy Central) – Nathan Fielder is back with the business savvy to save struggling companies… or something. This third time around, the Canadian deadpan comic helps a local electronics store take on Best Buy, makes pony rides available to the obese and comes up with a solution for parents wanting to have sex on vacation.SATURDAY 17
Amy Schumer Live at the Apollo (Premiere, 10 p.m., HBO) – Schumer’s on a roll, yo.
Saturday Night Live (11:29 p.m., NBC) – Tracy
Jordan
Morgan is back! Fif
teen months after a car accident that almost
took his life, the SNL alum will host for
the first time — and get everyone pregnant.
Demi Lovato performs.
SUNDAY 18
The Walking Dead (9 p.m., AMC) – So it looks like that strategy to corral a million walkers like sheep didn’t quite work out as planned. This week we get a little more insight on the situation from inside Alexandria, and hopefully find out who is ringing the alarm.MONDAY 19
Fargo (10 p.m., FX) – The Gerhardts receive an unexpected offer; two questionable killers try to cover their tracks.
TUESDAY 20
The Mindy Project (Hulu) – Maya Kazan guest-stars as Leo’s nanny.CONTACT JAC KERN
: [email protected] or @jackern
