New Amsterdam Review: Death Is the Rule. Life Is the Exception (Season 4 Episode 10)
Max and Helen are held up in New York when a bacterial infection spreads through the hospital on New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 10, “Death Is the Rule. Life Is the Exception.”
Patients die, and though it’s not because of a virus, the storyline does have pandemic vibes and it’s so unnecessary.
New Amsterdam has created a believable, infuriating villain in Veronica Fuentes and it’s discouraging whenever she’s absent. I don’t like seeing her on my screen, but when she is not there, the conflict is weak.
Even though the bacterial infection is not a virus and is easier to get under control than a virus that spreads, the eventual solution that the doctors come up with is far-fetched and solves everything too quickly.
What is smart is making Dr. Mark Walsh a patient. He is a recurring character that we care enough about to be emotionally invested, but he’s not a regular character that we know for sure is going to live.
There would have been more suspense if Mark’s life hung in the balance for more than one episode, but it is also good to see him alive.
We are confronted by death in an intense way by watching Iggy take his patient’s parents to the morgue to convince them that he is dead. It’s emotional to watch, but also a direct approach to confronting grief that not many similar shows would take.
I’m also glad Mark is alive because Lauren would not be able to handle his death if it happened at the same time as her breakup with Leyla. She still may turn back to the bottle, but at least her friend’s death is not one of the reasons.
Lauren and Leyla’s breakup has been inevitable for a very long time, but Leyla opens my eyes when she says that their relationship has not been about love, it’s been about ownership.
I never agreed with Lauren buying a residency slot for Leyla, but I could understand that her actions were coming from a place of love.
I’m not as mad at Lauren as Leyla is, but I’m not in the relationship. It’s now just clearer than ever that Lauren needs to stop using her money to solve her problems. She needs to go to therapy and do some internal work.
It’s more shocking to watch Max and Helen actually leave New Amsterdam together.
One bad day should not impact a life decision; Max and Helen have had exclusively bad days since Dr. Fuentes has been in charge. They are not breaking up anytime soon, but it is startling to watch them both walk away from patients and colleagues.
I’ll believe they make it to London when I see it. But if they are headed across the pond…where is Luna?
Max and Helen’s future is a complete mystery that I do want to watch unfold. But overall, New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 9 is a stronger episode and a better cliffhanger.
Doctor’s Notes
- It’s exciting that Lyn is pregnant if she wants to be, but she deserves better than a “who’s my baby’s daddy” storyline. That’s a high soap opera vibe that New Amsterdam has never had until this season.
- I’m not here for a plot involving Iggy cheating on Martin, either.
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.
2 comments
Luna is staying with her grandparents in Connecticut for one week. Helen mentioned it when they were by the car in the beginning of the episode. So it looks like they’re going first to settle things and then they’ll bring her out.
I was never in favor of this arc, i.e., Max and Helen going to London. It just seemed like a manufactured plot to now bring up Helen’s issues with her family, mother, Max and new job, etc., to bring in the antagonist Veronica.
For me, all of this was unnecessary and they could have written a much better storyline for S4 such as developing and exploring Sharpwin’s relationship now that they are together (instead of rushing it & now “slowing down” to address issues now that they’re in London). The London arc or Helen returning to either resolve the issues with her mother and/or perhaps even accept the medical director position could have happened midseason or later. For me, all of this was unnecessary and too soon.
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