New Amsterdam Review: In The Graveyard (Season 2 Episode 13)
In order to properly assess New Amsterdam Season 2 Episode 13, “In The Graveyard,” I have to leave my disbelief at the door.
It’s an absolutely absurd idea that Max can walk a few blocks to University Hospital and take back his dumped patients with a flick of his magical wrist. Equally ridiculous is the fact that he funds, furnishes, and staffs a palliative care unit in one day.
New Amsterdam is largely forgiven for such shenanigans because its characters act like the adults they are. No couples exist right now that could sneak off to grope in the elevator in the middle of the workday if they wanted to.
That may change eventually. It’s clear that Max and Helen are magnets slowly moving toward each other. They get scared when the force is too strong but they’ll succumb to it in a reasonable amount of time.
I listen to my friends’ problems all of the time. I never say “burden me.” I know it’s their phrase, but it’s not a friendly one. It’s rather vulnerable, and could even be considered romantic.
For the record, this writer is very neutral about Max and Georgia getting together (but leans toward “no thank you”).
But on a filler episode that doesn’t move much plot forward, their moment of burdening stands out.
New Amsterdam likes a very slow burn, so we’ll get answers about Floyd and Lauren before any other couple.
Their dilemma is compelling because while I can usually see all sides clearly, I most often fall squarely on the “right” side.
Lauren is undeniably wrong. Marianne could sue Lauren because her heart is beating.
But the doctor knows her patient doesn’t love her DNR more than her grandchild and neither do we. Marianne knows she’s going to die. There is more harm in allowing her to die than reviving her so she can meet a baby.
Still, Lauren’s words for Floyd are so harsh.
Max has always been a leader who breaks the rules for his patients. But just because some of his behavior has rubbed off on his team, that doesn’t mean he’s formed a rebellious cult of doctors.
Lauren is as pathetic as Regina George at this moment, listing all of her posse and then essentially claiming, “You can’t sit with us!”
She’ll take it back. The only question is whether Dr. Reynolds will be in San Francisco by then or not.
This episode proves that New Amsterdam can tell a masterful story while most plots are in extreme slow motion.
The cinematic vibe wouldn’t have been possible without stellar directorial and music decisions. Any episode of TV that times its title perfectly with “Beethoven’s 5th Symphony” demands respect.
Doctor’s Notes
- The dying patient stories just don’t pull on the heartstrings as much as they should because they rely on so many overdone tropes.
- Also, Max has too much fun building a palliative care unit for many viewers to be sobbing by the end of the hour.
- The “dying person revealing hatred for someone on their death bed” trope is tired, but not as tired as “you’re not actually dying.”
- Iggy’s eating issues are such a subtle thread throughout the second half of the season, it’s great storytelling.
- Ella and Vijay are the best. I’d watch a whole hour at Vijay’s apartment. But they keep telling the same story about Kapoor meeting Ella’s needs. It’s fine. They need to move on after this episode.
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.
5 comments
It is food for thought for the future. A little out of the box; medical professionals take note
“It’s an absolutely absurd idea that Max can walk a few blocks to University Hospital and take back his dumped patients with a flick of his magical wrist. Equally ridiculous is the fact that he funds, furnishes, and staffs a palliative care unit in one day.”
Esme Mazzeo, the reviewer in this article, should realize that the majority of adults viewing New Amsterdam could care less whether or not Max is completing his task at hand in one day. I’m pretty darn sure that the adults watching do not want to watch the rest of the season waiting for Max to finish that task. It makes me think that Mr. Mazzeo might try to influence what we think about New Amsterdam’s cast, which isn’t going to go over well with it’s viewers. We watch the program because we love all of the cast, and who cares if it can be done in a day, or not! We are loyal because the actors are people that we believe make the show a success in our eyes…we do not expect the cast to be living in reality. They are actors who can do anything that the writers throw at them.
The show watched here in Miami on 2/11/2020 The Graveyard was on of best, we enjoyed it from beginning to end. The background music by Debussy was a great idea, it was fantastic while listening to the actors. Thank you for giving us good TV.
I thought the writers and the producers did an amazing job with the dying moments of the mathematician. The doctor had spoken to him about counting the snowflakes and then he started having snowflakes falling on him until there was so many at all faded to white with the beautiful piano music playing. I thought that was an incredibly beautiful moment and a totally different way to experience death I thought it was brilliant honestly I really did
awesome episode, although most of them are…
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