The Knick se02/ep02

Preacher A.D. Elkins played by Stephen Spinella. Directed by Steven Soderbergh. Score by Cliff Martinez.

I’ve gone back to this scene from Cinemax’s The Knick more times than I can count. Spinella as itinerant preacher Elkins is brilliant. The casual limp gesturing of his wrist with the bible in hand, perfection. Each motion initially so soft—the delicate tossing back of his head, hands lifted and complacent in hallelujah—before the knowing smile turns to spit with the wetness of spirit in his mouth. It’s acting at its most effortless and intoxicating best.

Martinez’s score expresses cautious curiosity, a mimicking of Elkins’ wondrous description of 20th century New York: all the corners of the earth thrown together. The theremin plays alien mystic. It’s a sound that baffles as much as religious rapture does, a strange and wobbling electric tongue. I am not familiar with Evangelical fervour but this wailing appeals to me. Rather than feeling wary of madness, I’m anxiously awaiting a crescendo. And Martinez delivers dissonance at the very end, a tease for the violence we see Elkins display later in the episode.

You can listen to the full song If Anyman Thirst from the season 2 soundtrack here.