An extraordinary 40 episodes make-up seasons one and two of New Amsterdam, a New York hospital-based drama that follows the professional (and occasional personal) lives of a select number of medical staff based at one of the (fictional) oldest public hospitals in the US.
Adapted from the memoires of Dr. Eric Manheimer, former Chief Medical Officer of Bellevue Hospital in New York, the authentic series creates a supportive environment for staff and patients alike as the arrival of Dr Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) as the new Chief Medical Officer sees him embark on major, effective changes administratively and medically. Break the rules: heal the system. Goodwin is on a campaign to ensure the best service is provided to all patients, even reaching out to those who are not medically insured. He may ruffle a few feathers initially, but he quickly gathers a small band of allies among senior doctors/surgeons who form the basis of the melodrama that is New Amsterdam.
But at home, Goodwin has problems – a pregnant wife (Lisa O’Hare) who is less than impressed with his taking on the mantle of CMO within discussing the demands such a position would entail. Much of the first season sees Max navigate the schism in his marriage.
How can I help? is the mantra for the series as the new boss looks to solve problems. Dispensing with the waiting room for the Emergency Department immediately wins him the support of tough-talking Dr Lauren Bloom (Janet Montgomery) and the promotion of Dr Floyd Reynolds (Jocko Sims) to the head of the newly created Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery does him no harm. But arguably his major achievement in episode one (yep, it’s all undertaken at breakneck speed) is reining in Dr Helen Sharpe (Freema Agyeman). A glamorous spokeperson for the hospital, the Head of Oncology spends more time fundraising through TV appearances than at the hospital. Dr Helen becomes Max’s closest ally with more than a hint of sexual attraction developing between the two as the two seasons evolve.
Admittedly, aspects of New Amsterdam have to be taken with a pinch of salt. The six main medical characters seem to be everywhere – in the basement dealing with electrical shortages, on the streets helping sick homeless, campaigning for better treatment on the prison ward, Head of Oncology helping in the maternity ward and so many more unlikely scenarios. But the attraction of the series is the investment in the characters. How can I help is the mantra. Dr Iggy Frome (Tyler Labine), head of psych, has an eating disorder but constantly finds himself desperately in need of supporting his patients (particularly kids) beyond the norm and to the detriment of his homelife with husband Martin (Mike Doyle) and their four adopted kids. Iggy’s closest friend, the widowed yet wise Dr Vijay Kapoor (Anupam Kher) struggles through loneliness and an unexpected visit from someone from his past.
Whilst home life tales build our investment in the main characters, New Amsterdam still remains a predominantly medical drama. Patients and storylines come and go from episode to episode – most contained within a single episode, some spread out, a few constant within a season. The structure creates an engrossing drama. It can be confronting – it’s a hospital drama afterall and most episodes will see a graphic operation (usually headed by Reynolds) or two to add to the authenticity. It also wears its heart on its sleeve regarding health insurance politics and that New Amsterdam is a public hospital for all. And the ending of the last episode of season one is possibly one of the most dramatic captured on television.
Rating: 70%
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