New Amsterdam Review: No Ifs, Ands, or Buts (Season 4 Episode 18)

The feels are not letting up for the DamFam, as per usual, on New Amsterdam Season 4, Episode 18, “No Ifs, Ands, or Buts.”

After returning from a mid-season hiatus with two explosive episodes, New Amsterdam fans are given a moment to breathe, and process all of the emotional damage this show has been dishing out. This episode provides a space to deal with the fallout of revelations and heartbreak that these characters have gone through so far. 

After the fallout from New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 17, “Unfinished Business,” Helen Sharpe (Freema Agyeman) continues to prove her star power. It’s such a testament to her character and how far she’s come that she’s able to be vulnerable and seek support in her recovery.

Sharpwin fans are given so many sweet moments here. Max (Ryan Eggold) is clearly trying his best to be a supportive partner, even if his execution isn’t always perfect. These are two imperfect people, trying to do good and trying to form the healthiest relationship they can. It’s aspirational, honestly. 

This episode also features an honest snapshot of the physical recovery process. Helen is fortunate to have such a compassionate practitioner walk alongside her on this road. If there’s any lingering doubt that Helen is a force of nature, this episode dispels it definitively. 

It’s also great to see that in Helen’s recovery, she’s mastered the ability to cook a wonderfully complex breakfast. This is a far cry from struggling to assemble a cheese sandwich. Do you know what that is? Growth.

On the note of New Amsterdam ships, did we know Lauren (Janet Montgomery) and Mia (Genevieve Angelson) are incredibly ship-worthy? Count this writer as both surprised and delighted. Even if nothing comes of this new ship, however, these two work so well together.

Watching Lauren and Mia work together to help a patient is comforting in an oddly tangible way. It’s a utopian vision, having two medical professionals take vastly different approaches to medical care, but ultimately come together to do what’s best for the patient. It’s inspiring. 

It’s cathartic, watching Lauren finally be able to open up to someone about her struggle to maintain her sobriety and fall back on crutches that, yes, include romantic relationships. Lauren and Leyla (Shiva Kalaiselvan) both deserve the best. There are clearly a lot of issues that need to be addressed before they have it.

If anything, watching these characters in action kind of shows a missed opportunity for New Amsterdam. If there were hints of a Mia/Floyd (Jocko Sims) connection, and a Mia/Lauren connection here, I’m left asking…why not both? There’s chemistry among all of these characters. This triad certainly makes more sense than whatever else Floyd’s been entangled with. 

Speaking of Floyd, it finally seems like New Amsterdam has found a way to wrap up the Floyd/Lyn/Claude…situation definitively. It really is a shame that this show hasn’t really known how to write this character for a while now.

Between the triad, and Floyd’s betrayal of his colleagues, this character is wasted too often. Hopefully, this new storyline with Floyd possibly reconnecting with his father will give this character a chance to finally move forward in a meaningful way. Additionally, that red car is absolutely dope.

The actual medical story Floyd gets involved with on this episode is a sobering one. This show has always highlighted the flaws in the American healthcare system. Charging patients’ arms and legs for “out of network” practitioners is bonkers, and leads to real people being harmed. 

It’s also too bad Jocko Sims doesn’t get nearly enough opportunities to show off his comedy chops. For the record, I, for one, would totally join the book club he had to cover for on the fly and would love listening to him flail after absolutely not reading the book being discussed. It’s such a mood, honestly.

On the note of the actual medical story featured on this episode of a medical drama, Veronica Fuentes (Michelle Forbes) is back. It’s more clear than ever that she needs to go. Having her absent for at least two episodes is just further proof that this character adds nothing to the story, and possibly never did.

Fuentes has always been painted as a cartoon-like villain. There’s nothing compelling about her motivations, she’s just evil. It’s not that every villain or antagonist necessarily needs “reasons”, or even a compelling backstory. At the end of the day, they just need to be a decent character. Fuentes is not, nor has she been since being introduced on New Amsterdam. 

Finally, the DamFam’s favorite child psychopath is back. It’s always great seeing Emma Hong reprise her role as Juliette since she nails this part every time. This is honestly the most relatable she’s been in the time since she’s been introduced, and Hong is so incredibly endearing. 

The fact that Iggy (Tyler Labine) can see himself in an emotionally disturbed teenage girl speaks volumes about him. Hopefully, this realization will prompt Martin (Mike Doyle) at least, to realize he deserves much more in a relationship. 

Unfortunately, Iggy’s been in this position before, on the cusp of a revelation about his life, before promptly doing absolutely nothing to address it. Perhaps there’s still slim hope for this character to really realize the work he needs to do on himself. 

With the season finale rapidly approaching, New Amsterdam shows no signs of slowing down. There are clearly so many more stories left to tell, and so many characters to shine a spotlight on. Although Max’s plans have a history of being poorly thought out and executed, maybe this is his time to shine again. 

First thing’s first, however. Fuentes needs to leave yesterday. 

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

New Amsterdam airs Tuesdays 10/9c on NBC. 

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

 

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

‘New Amsterdam’ to End with Season 5 on NBC