MichaelJDentico Review of New Amsterdam

New Amsterdam (2008)

Great opening episodes of a show that looks like it will take off!

[10/10 · 9 March 2008]

This is one of the most innovative shows on television I've seen in a while, despite the fact that this idea has been attempted before, to no avail. Fox took a big risk when they placed this show into the Monday 9PM time-slot that's been reserved for 24 for its past six seasons. Although, as many of you know, it has been delayed due to the writer's strike. This show is undoubtedly symbolic and eye-gripping. Once you start watching, you can't stop, and it's 45-minute runtime goes by in what seems like ten minutes. The lead is solid as John Amsterdam, and even though you can detect a slight Irish accent on him, it adds to the "everyman, been everywhere, done everything" part that he has to play. On an audience level, one has to think what it must be like to live for 400 years, with virtually no risk of mortality. That is, unless you find your true love. John is depicted as the idealistic everyman, since he's lived so long (born in the 17th century (the 1600's)), he's been able to pick up every skill and the knowledge of a genius. A homicide detective, John's experience has endowed him with an impeccable instinct and sharp mind, hence he is able to quickly solve crimes that would otherwise lead fellow investigators to dead ends or mistrials. Although only a handful of people know his secret, he sometimes lets slip facts that he shouldn't know about personally to others. For example:

"This bar used to be a speakeasy during the prohibition."

"How would you know that?"

"...I used to drink here..."

With that said, I think this is one of the shows that is worth watching these days. You can catch it on Fox, Monday at 9/8c. If you don't watch TV, you can also catch each episode as they're added on the fox website, under fox-on-demand.