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'New Amsterdam': Snore!
Well that was underwhelming. New Amsterdam visits the recent past as John investigates the impending death of his former partner, who may be one of the most two-dimensional, uninspired cops on TV this year. Plus, we had too much Sara (about 2.5 seconds worth, but that counts as too much) and not enough Omar. Come on, show -- we expect better!
Everybody wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to spoil.
Am I alone in feeling exceedingly meh about this episode? In part, I think the episode fell flat because they cut out the one thing that makes the show different from every other cop drama on TV -- we didn't see John in the past. Oh, sure, there were flashbacks to him starting on the force, but just about everyone watching can remember what New York was like in 2002. What's the point?
The Crime of the Week made very little sense, in my eyes. Andy, who was John's first partner when he joined Homicide, wants John to find who shot him three years ago. He was shot while make a bust in Brighton Beach, and now the bullet that's lodged by his heart has given him leukemia. He's convinced the punk who plugged him is this informant named Nasir, and he expects John to find him toot sweet.
The Lieutenant isn't happy about John wasting his time -- it's hard to justify this as a murder investigation when the victim is still alive. Plus, they investigated the case like crazy when it first happened, and couldn't get any leads. But John remembers all the words of wisdom Andy passed on when he started out as a cop, blah blah blah, so he owes the guy.
The search for Nasir leads to Viktor Brodsky, a Russian mob boss, who is most put out when John drags his brother in for questioning. He threatens John, and later sends goons to rough him up. But John will not be deterred! After lots of bitching and moaning on Andy's part, John finally tracks down Nasir, who claims to be in fear for his life. He's not wrong -- he's found dead, shot on the beach, the next day.
Thing is, a lot about this case doesn't make sense to John. Andy went in alone, which was unthinkable for Mr. "Ya Gotta Have a Partner." Plus word is this wasn't some little deal that Andy busted up, but a major score. Finally, Andy doesn't seem at all interested in any of the other evidence John turns up -- he just wants to catch Nasir!
Here's why: Three years ago, Andy's long-suffering wife DiDi was dying of cancer. There was an experimental treatment in Brazil, but Andy couldn't afford it. So naturally, he decided to switch from Homicide to the guns-and-drugs beat -- the criminal scumbags he'd track down there were more likely to have excess cash that Andy could steal. The bad news: Things didn't go well when he attempted to rob a couple of gunrunners, and he got shot. The good news: DiDi had a miraculous remission, so he didn't need the money. Except now, three years later, Andy's dying and he wants to leave DiDi enough money to get by, so he decides he track down the person who shot him, reasoning that that person would have the money he'd rightfully stolen. Make sense? Not really.
What makes even less sense is the actual culprit. When Eva realizes that Nasir's alibi isn't in the original case report, John figures out Joe, Andy's former partner on that drugs-and-guns beat, had the same idea. He shot Andy, then the gunrunners, and took off with the money. Nice.
John has time to tell Andy what really happened, convince Andy not to shoot Joe, and share some last words before Andy dies on the Ferris wheel on Brighton Beach. I'm sure it's supposed to be poignant, but all I could think was boy, it would suck to be stuck up there with a dead guy.
In romance news, John and Sara are doing great! He's in love! He's bound to kick it soon, right? Except... Brodsky puts out a hit on John, John is shot through the heart, and he STILL doesn't die. Sara's making goo-goo eyes at him in the hospital, and you can tell all John is thinking is "Dammit! Wrong again!"
Other stuff:
- I will give Andy props for one line -- when John says he's lost weight, Andy replies "Leukemia diet, end stage. Strict, but effective." That's some decent gallows humor right there.
- Hey, DiDi is played by Kristine Sutherland! Hi, Buffy's mom!
- John was at the historic 1953 Colts-Giants game that ended in sudden death overtime. They just spackled that on to remind us that John's really old, yo.
- John joined the force after 9/11. He was top of his class in police academy, and had the fastest rise to detective in the history of the department. He also had bad, slicked-back hair.
- John is afraid of heights.
- John used to be a carny, and knows how all the carnival games are gaffed. And he's not afraid to take the giant monkey.
- Sara has signed and mailed her divorce papers, so she's obviously thinking good things about John. After he wakes up in the hospital, it looks like he's looking for reasons to dump her. Ouch.
What did you think of the episode -- good, bad, indifferent, ridiculously boring? Is there a point to watching the show when we don't see any of John's past lives? If Sara isn't the one, who is -- and how soon can we boot Sara off the show? What do you hope happens in the season finale next week? What do you think are the chances of New Amsterdam coming back?
I also thought this was a meh episode, didn't like much about it, except the fact that Sarah doesn't seem to be the one! No idea on who it could be, or even whether we're supposed to have already met her.
So, I hope we'll get more New Amsterdam, but am afraid that won't happen.
adafairy | Apr 7, 2008 8:30:30 PM | #I thought staying in the present for once was refreshing. Going to the distant past all of the time can become predictable. Plus, although I figured who dun it, it was probably the best written crime ep so far. Maybe a too like L&O, with the twists and corrupt cops.
Millet | Apr 7, 2008 8:44:32 PM | #At least the writers are apparently not going to leave us hanging, since Sara apparently isn't the woman who is going to stop (as opposed to rock) John Amsterdam's world. I was disappointed in this week's episode for the same reason I didn't like this past Sunday's episode of Cold Case: going back only a few years is not history, regardless of how significant September 11, 2001 was. For a show like New Amsterdam to work, they can not suddenly become like half of the high schoolers in Los Angeles nowadays and not consider anything before 1992 to be important. While it was interesting to see how John got to be a homicide detective, that could've easily been covered in a few seconds of expository dialogue, as opposed to an entire episode centered on that one little fact.
What I did like about the episode was the use of the Russian mafia as the villains of choice, as opposed to the Cosa Nostra or some other stereotypical crime organization that has been seen 201,623 times before. It gave the episode a little more flavor that would've been completely missing otherwise. Also, one thing that I noticed in this episode that I've not paid as much attention to in previous ones: John Amsterdam is suicidal, although not in a manner that is normally seen. I can totally understand why a man who was immortal, who might have fulfilled the requirements in order to become mortal, would want to constantly test that theory. The look on John's face when he woke up, after thinking he was finally going towards the light, was spot-on, as he probably has been through this very event time after time after time. After 404 years, I would imagine that John has had more than enough.
I agree with the above poster that New Amsterdam may end after next week's finale. The good thing is that, like Journeyman, it was written with the presumption that the show would not be renewed, but that a second season would allow the show to continue without having to rethink the season finale (unlike, say, John Doe, the final episode of which still pisses me off). Fox has a slightly better track record of keeping low-rated shows around if they show promise, which is why The X-Files stayed on for nine seasons. While I doubt New Amsterdam has that kind of shelf life, who knows--maybe the Fox execs will give us a break and bring it back next season. If not, consider it like the greatest of dramas over at the BBC, which usually only run 13 episodes a season (or series, as they call it): short, yes, but well worth it.
Dark Disciple | Apr 7, 2008 8:47:59 PM | #New Amersdam should be renewed. It stands out because of its New York location, excellent lead ,appeal to young people, growth potential, standout acting.
michael boyle | Apr 7, 2008 11:22:27 PM | #New Amersdam should be renewed. It stands out because of its New York location, excellent lead ,appeal to young people, growth potential, standout acting.
michael boyle | Apr 7, 2008 11:22:36 PM | #I didn't quite understand, either, why the cop wanted to know who shot him when the cop himself was participating in something illegal in the first place, getting himself shot. And I had a feeling something was up when he kept telling John to focus on Nazir.
I had found that the cases have been very predictable through the entire series. The real appeal to me has been the character of Amsterdam himself, delving into his past and his desire to become mortal. The cases are just filler for me.
I hope this show gets renewed. It does show promise, even if the ratings are not there. I enjoy seeing all the different past lives that John has.
Linda | Apr 8, 2008 5:17:28 AM | #I really really wat to like this show...but I'm losing interest fast. K-ville was better than this.
josie | Apr 8, 2008 5:40:14 AM | #So if Sara isn't "The One," then who is? Is it Eva? Is it the foxy lieutenant who keeps flirting with John? Will we ever get to find out? Answer - probably not, which is kind of a shame, because I think this show has some potential. I'd hate to see it get the boot before it has the time to find its footing and develop into what could be a good show.
John | Apr 8, 2008 7:42:47 AM | #The plot was bad, no doubt about it. The case was bad. It seemed obvious from the get go that this would be your typical procedural, where one of the earliest guest stars you meet would be the killer. Just got that vibe. How they got there was a bit more ridiculous. Should've explainedit a bit better.
That said, there are some aspects I like about this show. I like that they showed the recent past. There has to be some interplay on John's recent history. I like that he actually seemed to make a strong relationship with someone (Andy). I like how they explained John's history as a police officer.
The end game obviously was the selling point, with Sara not being the one. Are they ramping up to John and her breaking up as the season finale? Would seem a bit cliched, but definitely a possibility. My initial inclination was that Sara would become part of his core, the people that relies on. I wish they would pursue the whole Brodsky again, but based on the early synopsis for the finale, that doesn't seem to be the case.
So who is the one? I still don't think it's the partner. That said, I guess the beauty of this show is that it could be anyone. They left it pretty open-ended. A subway full of people.
On a side note, still not huge on Sarge. Callie. Dunno ... liked her in other roles, but she seems, well, stiff and forced here.
Tony | Apr 8, 2008 8:14:13 AM | #New Amsterdam ROCKS! So what if it is not your idea of greatness. I love this show and I am not the only one. KEEP JOHN AMSTERDAM ALIVE.
joee@hotmail.com | Apr 8, 2008 8:31:50 AM | #I love this show. Haven't been hooked on a tv series for quite some time.
Have to admit last night's episode is a little flat, the previous episodes more interesting because the flash backs tell us more about John Amsterdam personally. The flash backs became a very important part of the show and they are beautifully shot.
This episode however, laid the doubt that Sara's not the one... Question... who is the one? Eva ? Hope we can see that in the next season.
Read an article on internet that Fox cut the 13 episode order to 8 because of creative differences with the creators. Maybe the creators know the show will probably not renewed so the story can just end like this. At the same time the article said the creators will review the differences after the 8 episodes been aired. Hopefully Fox will let them have a chance to tell the rest of the story.
It will be nice to see the show got renewed. Talking about Fox shows - who would think Prison Break can last so many seasons at the beginning ?
Hello to the viewer here that watched John Doe and pissed off about the ending. Guess what ? Fast Lane coming out on DVD but haven't heard anything on John Doe.
Dee | Apr 8, 2008 8:39:15 AM | #
The storyline with the ex-partner was silly, "its my money I stole it; so give it back".
I'd prefer the Sarah Connor Chronicles than what was on last night.
jbw | Apr 8, 2008 9:28:58 AM | #I thought the case, and everything until the last two minutes, was simply a contrived plot device to get John killed, but not killed-dead, and to prove that Sara wasn't "the one". You could almost hear Scooby Doo saying "rut ro, if Sara's "the one" we lose a big part of the story".
Chris | Apr 8, 2008 9:59:32 AM | #"Underwhelming" is the perfect way to describe this episode. I was bored without the trips back in history. Just glad Sara wasn't "The One."
Jan | Apr 8, 2008 11:57:41 AM | #Forgot to mention in my previous post that I really thought it was going to be Sara/Sarah that got shot near the end of the episode, which would have definitively hammered the last nail in that plot coffin, so to speak. In a way, I feel almost disappointed that she wasn't. Cruel? A bit, but it would've made for a better ending to the episode, in my opinion. As for the reduction of episodes, I'm getting the feeling that all networks are getting tired of shows like this, because they really do only appeal to a relatively-small section of the viewing audience, unfortunately. I don't imagine too many shows like this or Journeyman will be green-lighted (green-lit?) in the future. Instead, we'll get CSI: Some Fly-Speck Town In Arkansas or Are You Smarter Than Paris Hilton's Left Pinkie Nail?
Dark Disciple | Apr 8, 2008 12:17:05 PM | #I've been watching this show, but it wouldn't bother me too much if it were cancelled. It's a fairly decent idea, executed routinely. Unlike some of the other people posting here, I find the costumed flashbacks extremely tedious. And, I'm with Omar, finding your true love and dying doesn't sound so great to me. Just once, I'd like to see an immortal character who revels in his or her immortality.
NinjaC | Apr 8, 2008 1:13:26 PM | #Despite some extremely critical viewers, I think New Amsterdam deserves the chance to expand and solidify its premise next season (not that Fox is likely to allow that t happen. Its Fox, after all). I thought this episode, though somewhat predictable, was still pretty good. Most cop scenarios have been done, and this plot was no different. But the key to watching cop shows is to relax, quit being so critical, and enjoy the NEW interaction between NEW characters. And that's what I enjoyed most, especially John's disappointment at the end, when he realized he was still alive: it was all in the eyes - heartbreak. That was so sad.
KayDee | Apr 8, 2008 7:10:00 PM | #Even though I do like New Amsterdam, I agree that this wasn't the strongest episode. I kind of went along with it all until the confrontation between Andy and his partner. After Andy pulls his gun and calls Joe names, John says "but he's also your partner" which makes Andy not shoot Joe. Lamest line in a weak episode, in my opinion anyway.
I am kinda glad that Sarah isn't the "one." As has been discussed with previous episodes, I wasn't really convinced that she was, especially since they had him hook up with her so quickly in the series. I do hope this one gets picked up for additional episodes, but I'm not sure that it will be.
Melody | Apr 8, 2008 11:39:18 PM | #Why can't Sara still be "the one"? What were the exact words of the Indian shaman? Something about when the two souls were wed. Maybe just meeting her and sleeping with her aren't enough for his mortality to return.
d | Apr 9, 2008 10:34:25 AM | #This episode was awful. Stupid all the way through. Ithought the show was borderline, but this episode convinced me that it needs to get cancelled.
Dan | Apr 9, 2008 5:43:41 PM | #This episode wasn't the best (last week's was better) but I REALLY hope this show gets renewed for next season. I still find it interesting. Love Omar. I'm not really thrilled with Sara. Still think they brought them together too soon. Kind of hope Eva's the one. Can't wait for the finale next week.
Deb | Apr 9, 2008 6:36:25 PM | #Reality check people. If he finds "the one", the show is over. He's mortal. It becomes just another cop procedural show.
If the show is to continue, he can never find "the one".
But it won't be renewed. I like the idea, but this last episode was so full of holes, it was awful.
Jax | Apr 9, 2008 8:13:51 PM | #Is it just me or does anyone else think that for a doctor Sara seems to spend a lot of time screaming for help from other people whenever Sean gets hurt - doesn't she realise that as a doctor, she is the help?! She wasn't this weak when she first attempted to save Sean's life so why is she now?
SEU | Apr 10, 2008 1:26:36 AM | #I think that the 'one' is his current partner.
know it all | Apr 10, 2008 2:25:26 AM | #Well I tried to get interested in this show but just so boring! I love supernatural and support most shows but this one is just plain dull. Now if he got bitten by an immortal and sprouted some fangs and killer sexual energy that might just save the day!
Assuit | Apr 13, 2008 12:03:27 AM | #
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