‘New Amsterdam’ Boss: Michelle Forbes’ Real Role Makes It ‘Even More Difficult’ for Max to Leave
Spoiler Alert
[Warning: The below contains MAJOR spoilers for New Amsterdam Season 4 Episode 3 “Same As It Ever Was.”]
Is Michelle Forbes about to ruin Sharpwin’s happiness on New Amsterdam?
Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) and Dr. Helen Sharpe (Freema Agyeman) are together, engaging in that “more joy” that’s prevalent this season, and planning to head to London in just a few weeks, and that means New Amsterdam needs a new medical director. Max wants it to be Dr. Wilder (Sandra Mae Frank, who is so delightful in the role already), but she’s said no. Besides, Karen Brantley (Debra Monk) brings in her pick: Dr. Veronica Fuentes (Forbes) is the new medical director. (Saying she was a fixer was just a cover for that major spoiler.)
“Really, you hired her?” Max asks in disbelief following the announcement. “Good to see you too,” Veronica says. “We go way back. Don’t we, Max?”
“She and Max have a history together and she’s the opposite of New Amsterdam,” executive producer David Schulner tells TV Insider. “No one believes Max as he tries to convince everyone that she’s the absolute wrong person for the job. Then slowly we start revealing why she’s the absolute wrong person for the job, which makes Max leaving New Amsterdam even more difficult, knowing he’s leaving it in the hands of his opposite as opposed to someone like Dr. Wilder.” Uh-oh, should we be worried about Max and Helen’s plans for the future?
But Karen hired Veronica because she “is the best at what she does,” the EP continues. “She comes into a failing hospital and turns it around. There is no one better than her. Karen hired the best for when Max is leaving.”
Virginia Sherwood/NBC
So what does that mean for Max and Karen’s relationship considering the two have been somewhat getting along? The same as it does for pretty much the rest of the show. “Michelle Forbes’ character comes in and just upends everything — every relationship, every department, every character,” Schulner teases. “She just shakes the whole thing up in such a fun, great way.”
Due to COVID protocols, they couldn’t recreate the auditorium scene from the pilot that introduced Max as the hospital’s new medical director, but “I would’ve loved to do that,” the EP admits. Instead, Karen informed Max, Helen, Dr. Floyd Reynolds (Jocko Sims), Dr. Lauren Bloom (Janet Montgomery), and Dr. Iggy Frome (Tyler Labine) of the news by interrupting their group hug.
In happier news in “Same As It Ever Was,” Helen decides she’s moving in with Max and Luna. As she points out, they have to get used to living in a smaller space together, as they will be once they’re in London. Off Bloom’s encouragement, Leyla (Shiva Kalaiselvan) stands up to her when she disagrees with an order. Not only does that assertiveness win over the other residents (Leyla’s finally invited out with them!), but it also has Bloom making plans for later at home.
New Amsterdam, Tuesdays, 10/9c, NBC
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O
What are @davidschulner and @peterhorton doing to this once beautiful show that told rich medical stories? Everything is now done to create strife and tension between characters. Return to medical stories that showcased the team’s strengths. Floyd would have never compromise his values like this and Helen always accepted Max unconditionally. So why are the show runners green lighting this train wreck into dropped ratings?
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R
Seems like New Amsterdam and The Good Doctor are following the same destructive path of believing viewers want tension by bringing in some distruptive force to shake things up. We want escape and compelling stories that revolve around medicine not daily strife. I can get that in the real world. Thank you!
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O
I don’t like Michelle Forbes character at all! She is stirring up real problems for EVERYONE. I don’t like where this show is going
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P
I'm with you David get the show back where How Can I Help this causing trouble for everyone is getting old sure life has it ups and downs and we make adjustments to them but you guys have really put it out there don't forget we would like to see several seasons of this show and it's good to see happiness for everyone for a change with what we have all been thru this year to be with the people we love and care for life is too short as it is just let Max and his Posey run the hospital get rid of Fuentes and Karen
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C
I don't like the new direction at all, I really don't care for the new woman and believe I will quit watching the show completely. They are truly ruining a really good show, the same direction of the Good Doctor, also ruined.
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R
I love the rich medical stories as well. However, the Max-Helen scenario has been building since season 1. Of course they are going to focus on where that relationship goes for a bit before things settle down. There has to be some waves and tension in order to justify having max stay at the hospital. Obviously this new chick wont stay forever. So for right now, just enjoy the ride to see what happens. I could not imagine being in the writers room. Not so long ago the feedback was that the focus on social justice was getting to be a bit much. Now, there's too much drama. Let's put it into perspective, its a tv show and navigating the story line under a microscope cannot be easy. I say, keep up the good work and keep your eye on the ball. 🙂 #StaySafe
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B
What is going on w these medical shows.. they need to get back to the basics NOT cause upheaval and bring in someone bigger and better to challenge the show jst cause these absentee actors want their minute of glory so they can get BACK to acting. Also i like the sexual tease secrecy part of these shows. Its almost like its THE END and its the new series
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