New Amsterdam Review: Preventable (Season 1 Episode 20)
Max’s cancer is officially affecting his mood on New Amsterdam Season 1 Episode 20, “Preventable,” so let’s start there.
I’ve watched the episode a few times now and to be blunt — Max is having a hissy fit. I wish that there was depth of emotion to analyze, complex consequences to dig in to, but the more I watch the more I realize there aren’t.
Learning that your chemo and radiation isn’t working is scary. So is dying. We can’t blame Max for being scared and angry and lashing out about it — that happens. We can’t even blame the writing. It’s believable that Max is feeling this way. It’s something he has to go through.
All I’m saying is there is no point in asking why. Reynolds doesn’t quit. Max chooses a more aggressive treatment. So, besides the fact that Max’s cancer is an aggressive monster, all is well with this storyline. It’s finally flowing at a good pace.
There isn’t much to dig in to, but I think the way the episode starts is beautiful (but sad, to clarify). Max’s daughter is not born yet, but when that happens it’s a safe bet her name will be Luna.
At first, I thought the little girl might have been Luna, Max’s sister. It’s not. But I would love for New Amsterdam to go back into Max’s past eventually.
We need to talk about Iggy. I’m not even trying to defend him here. I don’t know who Tiara Dobbs thinks she is, but his worst offense as a therapist is that he cares too much.
Sure, if you don’t respond to physical affection well he crosses a line. In fact, it would be smart of him to stop hugging the kids so much. But nothing comes from an unprofessional place. A lot of those kids seem to live in the hospital and Iggy is their psychiatrist.
They are going to form attachments to him and he’s also going to care about them. New Amsterdam Season 1 Episode 19, “Happy Place” definitely foreshadows that a story like this is coming for Dr. Frome.
For the record, I’m totally on team “let Gemma live.”
All things considered while writing this, perhaps Iggy needs a warning from his colleagues. Max or Vijay noticing the behavior and giving him not only a second opinion on a kid’s behavior but a warning to back off would be totally understandable.
They’re not exactly colleagues though, they’re not psychiatrists. So, perhaps he needs help from a real colleague who could lighten his caseload an institute a “checks and balances” policy for when someone is getting too close.
But Tiara Dobbs? Who is she? Some outside social worker coming to New Amsterdam to move Avi. Even if you’ve worked with the guy before, the child is not in immediate danger. Iggy has never put a child in immediate danger on purpose (I’m thinking about the snow storm).
So warn a guy! Iggy definitely seems like the type a person who would then try to recognize the behavior and change.
I’m very curious to know if there is something I’m missing here. Please do feel free to let me know in the comments below.
Let’s end this on a more positive note. Vijay Kapoor and Helen Sharpe (Anupam Kher and Freema Agyeman) together as the comic relief on the episode are genius. Kapoor (Kher) is like New Amsterdam‘s secret weapon.
He is funny with anyone he partner’s with, he can also pull off really sad, dramatic scenes, and I care about the character without even trying too hard. That’s a dream member of any cast, and I don’t think the character or actor gets enough credit as far as time on screen.
As far as the story, of course Dr. Kapoor cares about his Yelp reviews — and of course he doesn’t at the same time.
Maybe some people actually succeed at not caring what others think of them — but I bet it’s very hard. It’s become so cool to say you don’t care what others think that I’m beginning to respect people who say they do care more.
That’s getting off track a bit. The moral of the story is: You go Dr. Kapoor! Of course you are a doctor first. But seeking that 5-star review from @NancyPants saves her life.
What did you think of this episode of New Amsterdam? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
New Amsterdam airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC.
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.