NBC‘s New Amsterdam returns with the heart-pounding episode ‘Six or Seven Minutes’ that delivers all the feels. The episode starts at the hospital, where everyone urgently needs to chat with Max (Ryan Eggold). For the first time ever, he is off the grid. His wrangler and right-hand helper Dora (Zabryna Guevara) knew he’d be unreachable for a few hours, but she could never imagine the news she’s about to receive.
As our preview reveals, Max’s wifeGeorgia (Lisa O’Hare) calls Dr. Sharpe (Freema Agyeman) forhelp after he shockingly collapses. The pressure is palpable as she takesdrastic actions to save her husband’s life until the ambulance arrives. Whileshe buys Max some time, Sharpe alerts the others.
Right off the bat, all actors bringtheir A-game. Their reaction to the news of Max’s cancer and their overwhelmingconcern for his well-being proves how much he means to them. As Max battles forhis life, we see his colleagues and friends uphold the groundbreaking standardshe has set for New Amsterdam.
They take great risks to put peopleabove profit, despite interim boss Dean Fulton’s (Ron Rifkin) dismay. Asexpected, Dean thinks about the finances instead of what is best for patients,which is why the hospital has failed in the past. Max rolled in and turnedeverything around. He allows these well-intentioned doctors to help people theway they truly want – and need – to. Removing the bureaucratic shackles hasgiven New Amsterdam ample room for improvement – which Dean refreshingly findsout for himself.
Although lives are at stake, we still get a healthy dose of Iggy (Tyler Labine) and Vijay’s (Anupam Kher) adorably funny banter. I love how Iggy looks out for his buddy and love their conversation about their “new” selves. Max has such a positive influence over everyone he encounters. He helps them grow,
Bloom’s (Janet Montgomery) troublingissues are addressed, which is a relief because she’s been playing a dangerousgame for too long. She responsibly stepped down as the doctor in charge ofMax’s care – phew! She almost lost a patient recently and luckily Casey(Alejandro Hernandez) knew better and covered for her mistake. Sharpehad a right to question Bloom’s actions and I’m so glad someone else knowsabout her struggle now.
Another plus – Sharpe is open todating Dr. Panthaki (Sendhil Ramamurthy). Just when she startssearching for sperm donors, she meets a guy who awakens butterflies that shehasn’t felt since the tragic death of her fiancé. Sharpe deserves love andhappiness. They seem like a good fit for each other – personally andprofessionally. I’m very curious to see how their relationship develops.
Also, Sharpe’s struggle is very relatable. I’m sure it strikes a chord with many female viewers and it is nice to see that kind of hope onscreen. Thankfully, she meets him before insemination – so they shouldn’t go down the predictable and annoying route where she’s pregnant with a stranger’s baby. After all, this isn’t The Back-Up Plan.
Now for the goosebumps. The rivetinghour gives us a break from the medical drama with touching flashbacks of Maxand Georgia’s blossoming romance. While remaining by his side, she recalls howthey met, his proposal, and their heartbreaking fight. Seeing how theirrelationship evolved is super sweet and incredibly rewarding. Their adorablemeet-cute is a Hallmark Movie in the making!
The beauty of those sequences isthat they all lead to an epiphany. We aren’t just learning more about Georgiaand Max’s relationship. Her reflection serves as a reminder of what drives Maxand gives him a purpose in life. He strives to save lives so that no one endsup like his sister. Georgia realizes that this work is his life.
The icing on the cake – Georgia’speck on his cheek leads to the crucial symptom that helps Sharpe and Reynolds (JockoSims) identify the problem and save his life. And they say “a kiss is justa kiss.”
A wave of warm fuzzies rushes overus when the team scrambles to his bedside as soon as he wakes. Like Georgia, hehas learned a lesson from all of this. Max needs to take care of himself andmake his family the first priority. Everyone – including Dean – wants Max backat the helm. They are all willing to help him run this hospital. Awww!
Max turns to his wife – he’s finallyfulfilling the request she’s made for so long. Georgia surprisingly sides withthe team. The only way Max will heal is if he continues following his life’swork. He’ll take it easy from now on, but he will not step down. Doublegoosebumps!
I’ve been a fan of this series fromthe start and this episode surpassed my expectations. I was on the edge of myseat for the whole hour. The winter premiere wonderfully sets up the secondhalf of the season. Things might be a little different from here on, but Maxhas certainly made his mark on this hospital and all of the people in it.
New Amsterdam airs Tuesdays on NBC at 10 p.m. ET.
Check out more of my Bleeding Cool articles HERE.
Follow all of my TV coverage HERE.
