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NBCs new medical dramaNew Amsterdambelongs to a familiar pop in.
OnNew Amsterdam, thats Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold).
Hes got good right in the name!
Things for Dr. Goodwin start simply enough for the rule-breakers code.
He bikes to work.
He changes in the gross locker room with the nurses who speak Spanish.
This is going to be a very, very dumb medical drama.
Dr. Goodwin starts by informing the assembled staff that his sister died in this hospital.
The death was due to a preventable infection, so fixing this hospital is now Dr. Goodwins dream.
How can I help?
he asks the doctors.
I work for you, so you could work for your patients.
Cardiac surgeons, see, were placing billing above care, so theyre out.
Surely thered be no need for a waiting room at all if the hospital had enough beds?
Never you mind, foolish small-minded pragmatist.
Dr. Goodwin is a man on a mission!
Admittedly, the shows underlying message is enticing.
AsNew Amsterdamindicates, the American medical industry is, indeed,a disaster.
Im with Dr. Goodwin on that: The focusshouldbe on patients rather than billing.
A doctorshouldcare more about health than about a departments statistics.
Thereshouldbe healthy food options!
What if, instead of hurting people, doctors helpedpeople?
No, this show is about big sweeping gestures.
Why fire three bad cardiac surgeons when you could fire them all?
Why reduce wait times when you could eliminate the whole room?
This is not really a medical drama.
In the dystopian landscape we currently call medical care, it is a medicine-flavored fantasy.
You do know the whole systems rigged, the one remaining cardiac surgeon says to Goodwin.
Theyre not going to let you come in here and just … helppeople.
Dont worry, though, because if you miss the thesis that time, you have several other chances.
(The follow-up exchange: Am I allowed to do that?
You are now.)
Theres also a cheerful, nonsensical inanity to, Lets get into some trouble.
I would like to send out an SOS for Drs.
The first two episodes give us little sign this will happen.
Grousing aside, I have to admit: That farmers market does look nice.
