New Amsterdam: Soldier’s Heart
(S01E03i) I don’t know about you but this week’s episode almost lost me in the opening scenes. I like exposition as much as the next guy but when a cop show takes that long to get to the first crime, I start to lose interest.
I was glad to see the return of Robert Clohessy. When he wasn’t in the second episode I feared that he might have gotten axed from the series. With all of John Amsterdam’s philosophical ramblings, this show desperately needs a sarcastic character like Clohessy’s.
Once the show got rolling, I started to enjoy it more. I always look forward to the flashbacks, so I can see what new job Amsterdam is given. This week, he was a doctor, but not just any doctor, a medic in wartime. The image of Amsterdam taking a hacksaw to that soldier’s leg was pretty powerful.
I also really liked how Dr. Sarah busted Amsterdam the moment they were alone. I like a character who is realistic in their actions. It makes sense that an ER doctor would be smart and ballsy enough to face Amsterdam with the mystery of his “death.”
The other interesting part of their relationship is the difficult situation Amsterdam is being forced into. On one hand, he can’t really tell Sarah the whole story, at least not right away, cause there’s no way she would believe him but on the other hand, he has no choice but to get to know her in case she’s “the one.” Considering how unbelievably beautiful she is, though, I don’t see it as such a tough decision.
One thing I can’t forgive on this series is that fact that Amsterdam just isn’t a good detective. I’ve watched enough cop shows to learn that cases are solved by aggressive legwork and hunting down leads not hunches and gut feelings. I understand that he has over 400 years of experience to draw upon but that doesn’t change how things should be done. A cop who doesn’t trust fingerprints or confessions? After being alive for so long, he’s probably better suited to be a teacher or scientist or an archaeologist with a cool hat and a whip.
I like the kisses with history on shows like this but this week’s was almost embarrassing. Why on earth would Walt Whitman give Amsterdam a copy of his book? The entire scene was ham-fisted at best.
I liked the surprise ending with John meeting Sarah’s husband. It serves the story well in that it helps to explain why he and Sarah’s souls have yet to become one and it makes it more difficult for John to work his considerable charms on her.
I like this show, I really do, but honestly, unless the cop stories can step up and match the immortal stories, I don’t know if I can keep watching.
Maximo Park - Our Velocity Video and Lyrics
Our Velocity by Maximo Park, Music Video and Lyrics
Maximo Park - Our Velocity Lyrics
I’m not a man, I’m a machine
Chisel me down until I am clean
I buy books I never read
And then I’ll tell you some more about me
Beneath the concrete there’s a sound
A muffled cry below the ground
There is a poison in the air
A mix of chemicals and fear
manners are just hunches
I’m not sure what they mean
You’re asking for commitment
When I’m somewhere in between
Never never try to gauge temperature
When you tend to travel at such speed
It’s our velocity
Is it cold where you are this time of the year?
You didn’t leave a scar
A stream of numbers hit a screen
And you’re expected to know what they mean
Throughout the conflict, I was serene
I can’t outrun the sadness I’ve seen
Are you willing to resist
The people you’ve never met?
The devil’s wheel revolves
But it needs to be reset
Never never try to gauge temperature
When you tend to travel at such speed
It’s our velocity
Please tell me is it cold where you are this time of the year?
You didn’t leave a scar
I’ve got no-one to call in the middle of the night anymore
I’m just alone with these thoughts
I’ve got no-one to call in the middle of the night anymore
I’m just alone with my thoughts
I watched a film to change my feelings
Strong enough to bear a burden
If everyone became this sensitive
I wouldn’t have to be so sensitive
If everyone became so sensitive
Perhaps I wouldn’t be so sensitive
Love is a lie, which means I’ve been lied to
Love is a lie, which means I’ve been lying too
Love is a lie, which means I’ve been lied to
Love is a lie
I’ve got no-one to call in the middle of the night anymore
I’m just alone with these thoughts
I’ve got no-one to call in the middle of the night anymore
I’m just alone with my thoughts
Never never try to gauge temperature
When you tend to travel at such speed
It’s our velocity