New Amsterdam Season 5 Episode 7 Review: Maybe Tomorrow

New Amsterdam Season 5 Episode 7, “Maybe Tomorrow,” takes on the repeal of Roe v. Wade, which is the biggest storytelling swing of the season so far. 

At its best, there would have been no question that this show would be able to tackle such a pressing political crisis with heart, compassion, and nuance. Unfortunately, with the series not being at its best so far during its final season, there were always going to be doubts. 

Michelle, the main patient who is introduced on this episode, is hard to relate to. If the intention behind this particular storyline is to show that the repeal of Roe v. Wade affects middle-aged, white, Christian, presumably straight conservative women too, then it maybe kind of does that with limited success. 

This character is not the right one to focus on to tell this story, however. It’s understandable that the show wants to show just how far-reaching the repeal of Roe v. Wade is. There’s just not enough critical analysis of the fact that this is by no means the patient population that will be most impacted by the repeal. 

Unfortunately, this storyline is also yet another venue for Elizabeth to show how misguided she can be. A good clinician would lay out every option for the patient, ensure that they are absolutely clear on the recommendations and consequences of any action or inaction, and then send them on their way.

Instead, Elizabeth spends more time defending this patient’s beliefs to other healthcare providers. It makes no sense, and feeds into right-wing talking points, that people are being discriminated against for anti-choice views. This is a false equivalency that’s never fully explored. 

Arguably the least effective part of this story is Lauren and Floyd, and the revelation that Lauren had an abortion while she and Floyd were in a relationship, in the moments before New Amsterdam officially kicked off as a series. 

Let’s start with the fact that the constant trauma dumping on Lauren grows more tiresome each episode. Lauren has faced addiction, family dysfunction, and heartbreak from the moment she began her journey on New Amsterdam.

Although there have been glimpses of progress, and of her taking charge of her own destiny, it doesn’t seem realistic that absolutely everything about her life would be continuing to fall apart as it has so far this season.

In many ways, Lauren feels more and more like a scapegoat for women in general. The absence of compelling female characters is alarmingly noticeable. Without Helen, and also Mia for some reason, Lauren and Elizabeth are left speaking for an entire gender. It’s far too much responsibility. 

In terms of Floyd, Lauren is right that absolutely no one needs to hear his opinion ever, especially on abortion. It’s also true that Floyd illustrates a very sobering reality, which is that too many men are vocal in the cause of a woman’s right to choose, right up to the moment it impacts them at all.

Surprisingly, Lauren and Floyd actually carry the brief moments of comedy on this episode very well. The constant ducking into private rooms while they’re meant to be leading a hospital tour is vintage New Amsterdam. So too, is the heartbreaking and heartfelt speech Lauren gives at the end. 

This episode is even further proof that New Amsterdam has absolutely no idea how to write Floyd as a character. Wasn’t there a travel nurse he was supposed to be developing a relationship with? Also, did his father not recently get involuntarily committed on a psych hold?

It will be interesting to see if there are any answers forthcoming. As the show’s final season approaches its second half, time is running out to figure out where Floyd’s attention needs to be. 

As per usual, Iggy’s problems don’t really merit mention. There isn’t even an official photograph of him from the episode that can be used as a header to introduce his personal non-story. He punches a guy who needs to get punched, and then just kind of sits around. 

The Iggy-adjacent character who does have a compelling and heartbreaking story to tell is, of course, Martin. It’s been long established that Martin is far too good for Iggy, and probably more broadly for New Amsterdam. 

If a man’s perspective is needed in this entire story, it’s that of a gay man whose marriage is now threatened now that the legal floodgates have been opened. Listening to him speak about how he can’t take his marriage for granted anymore is crushing. This point is made without being unnecessarily alarmist.

Instead, Martin and Iggy’s story is presented both compassionately and with a sense of urgency. Both characters are compelled to confront their own sense of complacency and recognize that they need to step up and refuse to relinquish their rights that have been hard-won. 

Of course, Martin is given far too little screen time to make his case. The time he does have, however, he uses to give voice to an entire community that now also finds themselves at a crossroads. It’s true that human rights can never be taken for granted, ever. 

Max’s continued side-quests would be funny if they weren’t so burdensome. He’s supposed to be a medical director. Particularly in times of crisis, he should be front and center, leading his team by example. New Amsterdam is lost without his leadership. 

Instead, he’s running around trying to secure unseaworthy boats and telling healthcare providers to break the law and leave their communities, regardless of the consequences. 

The most infuriating part of Max’s storyline is that organizers have been making use of his “solutions” for years. Abortion rights activists have never stopped developing ingenious ways to ensure everyone who needs one has access to safe and effective abortion care. 

Karen holds the distinction of being given the least amount of screen time, yet having the most important story. Underneath Karen’s, well, Karen-esque exterior, she never shies away from sharing parts of her history.

Karen’s story of losing a friend pre-legalization is a necessary one to reflect on. New Amsterdam should have given this story more of a spotlight, rather than shoe-horning it into the final minutes. 

The best that can be said is that this is not as terrible of an episode as it could have been. Considering how the show’s final season has been going so far, perhaps this is all that can be asked for. 

New Amsterdam is getting tired as it approaches its final episodes. While the series has always made it a point to confront real-world issues, perhaps there just wasn’t enough steam to fully meditate on this very real crisis with very real implications.

Instead, perhaps the show should focus on each of these characters, who have always had so much heart and potential, the satisfying conclusions that they all deserve. 

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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