Treat Your Brain To FOX’s New Amsterdam
March 11, 2008 by Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Did anyone watch New Amsterdam last night? That new FOX show about the brilliant New York City homicide detective who happens to be immortal and, um, over three centuries old?
I’m in the process of becoming a devoted viewer. Now, don’t misunderstand me. Nothing can take Prison Break’s place in my heart (not even a new FOX show that also happens to feature a female doctor named Sarah – FOX hates me) – nothing. But, New Amsterdam may become a show I watch each week.
Anyway, last night’s episode was great. Murderous psychiatrists, war veterans, and falsely-accused child abusers, oh my! Not only did it feature a storyline that dealt with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and repressed memories, but it did it all – for an hour – without a hint of stigma.
Well, any that I picked up on, anyway. I also spent the hour balancing food, phone calls, and opening the front door for a relentlessly indecisive cat.
Sure, PTSD and repressed memories aren’t exactly breeding grounds for stigma, but it was still nice to see a a well-written TV show use the themes in ways that actually made sense with the plot and managed not to make anyone feel ashamed of having a brain.
The image above is owned by Roswitha Schacht.
I thought the case and the back story was just OK. I am finding myself just watching to see how John maneuvers through everything. He can really play to the camera.
I have a full review here if you’re interested:
http://johnnewamsterdam.blogspot.com/2008/03/new-amsterdam-soldiers-heart-gets-my.html
Yeah….you do realize that Prison Break is an awful show, right?
Christine: To tell the truth, I think most of New Amsterdam’s cases and back stories are just OK. We TV viewers have been bombarded with so many crime-type dramas over the years that I think it’s going to get harder and harder for writers to wow us with twists and turns in crime investigations. But, it entertains me and I do love finding out about all his children, haha. Thanks for the link!
Thorne: Hmm, common sense tells me that no, I apparently don’t “realize” PB is an awful show – rather, share your opinion that PB is an awful show – given my declaration that nothing can take Prison Break’s place in my heart.
I thought it was a pretty clear and simple declaration, myself.
*shrugging shoulders*
Well Thorne, you are certainly entitled to your wrong opinion.