Season 2 of the medical drama, set in the 1900s, that charts the exploits of the staff and patients at Knickerbocker Hospital in New York City, kicks off with the facility readying for a move uptown. While Dr. Edwards (Andre Holland) makes a play to be named permanent chief of surgery, Dr. Gallinger (Eric Johnson) heads over to Cromartie Hospital in hopes of getting Dr. Thackery (Clive Owen) to come back to the Knick. However, Thackery's move to return is not exactly greeted with open arms by the board. In one of the more explosive plot lines, a subway blast sends a flood of patients to the Knick, while in the operating room, Thackery attempts to separate conjoined twins and later performs plastic surgery on Abby (Jennifer Ferrin). He also tries out a new cure in the inebriation ward, dabbles in hypnosis, pioneers a new treatment for syphilis and contemplates a new theory on addiction.