New Amsterdam Season 5 Episode 1 Review: TBD

New Amsterdam Season 5 Episode 1, “TBD,” was always going to be brutal for the fans. Without Freema Agyeman, this show is a body with no soul. That is clear from the final season premiere. 

As the final season gets underway, the flaws in this show are more glaringly obvious than ever. Strange character choices combined with even more bizarre plot lines could all be forgiven if the show could find its way. 

The joke would be on you if you loved any ships New Amsterdam has introduced throughout its tenure. It’s impossible to talk about the final season premiere without acknowledging Freema Agyeman’s glaring absence.

If there’s anything positive to be said, it’s that the powers that be acknowledge that Max bore the brunt of the blame for this relationship’s dissolution. 

Sure, there could have been more emphasis on the fact that Max was, at best, blissfully ignorant, at worst, wholly and willfully inconsiderate of his partner’s needs. 

The fact that this could have been worse doesn’t mean New Amsterdam should be let off the hook, however. Sharpwin was set up as endgame from the beginning of this series. It’s devastating that fans will never see a satisfying conclusion for them.

New Amsterdam also tries to pull a fast one on viewers by pretending like the friendships between this group have been fully developed. Where has this friendship been for at least a season and a half?

It’s great to see this group jump in and support Max in his hour of need. It rings just a little bit hollow, however, since the show’s chaos has prevented any of them from in any meaningful way. 

It’s so clear that New Amsterdam struggles with so many of these characters individually. This is at least part of the reason why bringing them all together now feels awkward. 

This was always such a solid workplace friendship group. It’s been too long, however, since they have had this kind of relationship. They’ve each gone on their respective chaotic journeys leaving one another behind.

Relatedly, it’s necessary to discuss the possibility of a romantic storyline between Max and Dr. Elizabeth Wilder. In theory, it’s not a terrible idea. These are great characters on their own, and sure, on another show they could definitely end up together.

This quest to convince New Amsterdam fans that this is the relationship to cheer for is misguided. This comes at the completely wrong time, when the loss of one-half of Sharpwin is still so fresh. 

Elizabeth is one of the best characters that this show has left, and it would be a shame to have her character become a one-dimensional love interest for the lead character.

Elizabeth just deserves so much more. Rather than focusing on giving her a love story, it’s too bad New Amsterdam can’t let her live her best girl-boss life. 

In other relationship news, New Amsterdam is determined to never let Lauren and Leyla be happy. It’s too bad because these two could be so much together.

On their own, they have incredibly strong and heartbreaking backstories. Lauren’s journey with addiction recovery and Leyla’s trauma having to flee everything she ever knew and be a refugee are heavy.

Sure, in real life, this would be an incredibly challenging relationship to make work. However, the reward that would come with putting in the work to address their respective pasts would be a beautiful tribute to the power of love.

With proper writing and development, this could be such a beautiful ship. Sadly, it seems that these two are destined to always be left behind.

The actual medical situations are fine. The not-so-subtle Hobby Lobby shade is both hilarious and cathartic. Karen is truly the best possible manager, and her comedic timing is unmatched.

The sex workers’ clinic storyline is important, though the jury’s still out on whether New Amsterdam is up to the task of telling these stories with justice. Brunstetter is the greatest of all time, however, and it’s always a joy seeing them in action.

The child wanting everyone to watch more Bollywood is such a mood. The best part of this story is that it showcased Elizabeth in particular at her best, and her passion for helping her patients. It’s inspiring to see the lengths she will go to.

It wouldn’t be New Amsterdam if Iggy isn’t providing terrible medical advice to his patients. Get rid of every treatment provider you’ve ever had? Sounds like an Iggy plan. 

New Amsterdam is not off to a great start. If the finale is any indication, the show’s final season is in trouble. Just because it could be so much worse doesn’t give the show a free pass to throw all storytelling out the window. 

What makes this entire situation is so devastating is that this show has always had so much potential. Sadly, it has just as often not been realized. This episode is the perfect illustration of this.

Perhaps the best solution for fans is to remember this show when it was at its best. In the meantime, onward to the rest of what’s sure to be a long and frustrating goodbye. 

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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