New Amsterdam Review: The Denominator (Season 2 Episode 4)
It’s hard to know where to start with this review of New Amsterdam Season 2 Episode 4, “The Denominator.”
All of the themes it explores are important — but that makes it impossible to give each one the screen time it deserves.
Lauren’s storyline deserves zero seconds while paired with plots related to abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and medical issues that affect the back community.
Her addiction issues are valid, but replacing a drug addiction with sex addiction is a plot best explored with a guest star, not a main character. So, this is all of the attention those minutes will be getting — and they affected this rating by at least one full star.
As for Ella’s possible abortion storyline, if I know New Amsterdam, it will do her decision journey justice, even though it’s frustrating that the reveal that she is undecided is done for pure shock value on this episode.
Helen’s story with Molly is the one that I want to see more of.
It’s more than halfway through the episode before Helen presents Molly with the pain medication that could help her end her own life if she wants to.
Most of Molly’s story before that is about the drug trials she’s in at the behest of Dr. Castro. It takes away from the seriousness of the topic.
Molly doesn’t even know why she’s being asked into Dr. Sharpe’s office for the mini psychological evaluation she’s given about whether she’s ready to end her life or not.
At the end of the scene in which Dr. Sharpe presents Molly with the pills that would end her life, she says, “This is your choice, no one else’s. You’re in control.”
But I’m not so sure that’s true.
I’ve watched many medical dramas. The heart of the physician-assisted suicide storyline is actually the doctor’s dilemma about whether to provide pills or not. New Amsterdam teaches that by getting it wrong.
Or, perhaps they get it wrong by not showing Molly taking the pills.
Viewers don’t need to see her dying moments. We do need to see her choice. But the way this story is told, we can only assume what Molly chooses.
Assumption takes the emotion out of most of the story. It’s as if the show chose to tell half of it out of fear — and that’s not the show I have come to respect.
If they’re going to tell that story halfway, they might as well have given more time to people like Xander.
The hospital suing the city may be revisited, but it would’ve packed more of a punch on this episode for viewers to see Xander expressing more sadness about the anger he is so confused and overtaken by.
Someone made unfortunate decisions about how much emphasis to put on most of the arcs. But the one that is done right Is Marquise, Harmony, and Max.
If Max were able to go into a barbershop in a black neighborhood and offer medical services without pushback, there would be a problem.
So, Kenny firing Max authenticates Max’s whole scheme to help black men detect high blood pressure sooner. Plus, where is Max — the grieving newly single father and head of a hospital — going to get time to provide that service?
I turst Max’s heart and always have. The problem with this show has always been the realism of Max’s solutions, and they’re working on it.
So, I’ll buy into Kenny doing blood pressure checks. If his clients die, he makes no money. So, even though he’s a barber Max’s plan may even help Kenny’s bottom line in the long run.
Of course Kenny cares about his clients. It’s not only about money. But he’s not a doctor — so considering Kenny’s bottom line in all of this is important.
The catalyst in Kenny’s checkups is Marquise’s collapse and subsequent surgery.
We know Kenny lives, but the star of this story is Harmony.
She tells her dad she won’t live with his mid-range jumper medical solution when he has a chance to hit a three or slam dunk at the rim.
It’s a risk for sure. But she’s old enough that her opinion matters and too young to know how to balance the responsibilities of caring for her dad if he decides on the “mid-range jumper” choice.
TV needs more capable young black women admitting that they need their fathers, and it’s obvious how much Harmony needs her dad when she hugs Floyd after he tells her Marquise’s surgery was a success and he “hit the three.”
This is a good episode of a show that is capable of better.
What did you think of this episode of New Amsterdam? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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New Amsterdam airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC.
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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.