New Amsterdam Review: Catch (Season 3 Episode 8)

This review discusses rape. 

New Amsterdam Season 3 Episode 8, “Catch,” takes a closer look at the inequities Black women face within the Western medical system without exploiting Black trauma. 

Evelyn Davis’ wish to have a VBAC is the most direct way New Amsterdam address just how much doctors need to start listening to Black mothers more and all she is asking for is a chance to give birth naturally. 

VBAC risk scores are calculated with mama and baby’s safety in mind. There are complex reasons why VBAC’s are riskier for Black women. But Evelyn is right when she makes the point that none of the health issues Black women and their babies face have “anything to do with our beautiful skin, just how we’re treated in it.” 

Medical racism has a long history that Max can’t ignore. He is taking quite a chance by letting her birth naturally in spite of her VBAC risk score and vowing to implement a new calculator. 

It’s hard to believe that such a change in protocol would happen so quickly in actual hospitals. But, I’ve stopped holding Max and New Amsterdam accountable for being realistic all of the time.

It is a responsible enough show, and what if one of Max’s wild ideas gives a medical professional inspiration to fix a system in their hospital? Maybe they don’t abolish the VBAC risk calculator method in a day. But taking the first step is enough. 

Artistically, using Wilson Pickett’s “Hello Sunshine” as the soundtrack for both Nia and Elelyn’s birth scenes is so poignant. 

Nia gets horrible news after giving birth to Pearl, but it’s amazing how music and sound help us understand the emotions Nia and Bim are feeling in the cold open with no dialogue. 

Nia’s experience starts with “sunshine” and Evelyn’s ends with it. Small choices like that matter. That’s why it’s also brilliant to end the episode on a shot of Nia breastfeeding and no dialogue, just Meshell Ndegeocello’s “May This Love” playing.

Nia has a hard road ahead. But we probably won’t see her again so it’s nice to assume her cancer goes into remission and she at least has that one memory of breastfeeding Pearl. 

Plus, the last image we have in our minds after the episode is a Black woman full of joy. The industry should look to New Amsterdam as an example of how not to exploit Black trauma and sadness. 

But just because Black trauma is not exploited, that does not mean it is absent from “Catch.” 

I understand why Yadalis thinks Iggy broke her trust, but I’m not sure what choice he has. 

He simply is not given enough time with her to learn about the event causing her to deny her pregnancy. This storytelling device is used because every episode has a time limit. 

We need many more scenes with Iggy and Yadalis for it to feel natural that she is opening up to him about her rape. Since she is suppressing the event, that time doesn’t exist. Lying to get her to push is just what has to be done. 

It’s strange to watch Yadalis deny her pregnancy so adamantly until after the baby is born and then open up about the rape so quickly. I think, in reality, she would be traumatized and need more treatment from Iggy. 

But the complex nature of mental health is the exact reason why other medical dramas do not feature a psychologist character as a series regular. 

I won’t penalize New Amsterdam for doing its best with many complicated mental health diagnoses.

The shortcut taken here allows us to see Yadalis have a moment of peace as she sees her child meet its parents for the first time. That is absolutely worth it. 

Doctor’s Notes 

• “Catch” has a Black writer and a Black soundtrack, so why is the director white? 
• I still cannot connect very much with Helen and Mina’s storyline.
• New Amsterdam is dragging out the inevitable Floyd and Lauren hookup so much. 
• I’m so down to watch Leyla and Lauren as roommates. 

What did you think of this episode of New Amsterdam? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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New Amsterdam airs Tuesday at 10/9c on NBC.

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