The latest episode of New Amsterdam, “The Forsaken”, is all about self-identity and the basic human desire to connect with another, be it a relationship, a child, or something else. When a combat translator comes in after a suicide attempt, the overall feel of the episode shifts dramatically. The episode opens with a shot of him walking off a rooftop and as a viewer, it immediately shakes you to the core. Why did he do this? What has happened in his life to bring him to such a point? What is his story? It is one of self-identity and belonging for a man torn between two countries with no connection to either. For a show like this and for a genre like this, it is a very powerful storyline placed in an hour-long episode.
There is an underlying message to take away from Mustafa’s story and it is one that needs more attention, so once again kudos to New Amsterdam for bringing a spotlight to an issue many are not aware of. As a combat translator, you are smack dab in the middle of all the warfare and experience the same amount of trauma as the soldiers in battle. However, the recognition is at a bare minimum, if at all, for these individuals and it’s something that “The Forsaken” concentrates heavily on. Due to the PTSD and shock of being in a war environment, translators come back with the same scars which is what literally pushed Mustafa over the edge mentally. But what makes matters worse for Mustafa is that upon returning to the states, no one acknowledges the work he did for the country, and he finds himself viewed differently and treated as an outsider because of his ethnicity. He feels stuck and without a form of identity, not belonging here or there.
Focusing on the mental toll it takes on Mustafa was very commendable of New Amsterdam, and it all came full circle by the episode’s end. When Mustafa was brought in, he was clutching onto dog tags that weren’t his (because combat translators don’t get them) and after being treated for his injuries, the troop he worked with came into visit him and handed over their dog tags to him. It is such a beautiful and profound moment for a man who feels lost in life despite having contributed so much to so many people. As has been said time and time again about New Amsterdam, this show goes above and beyond with each and every story they present. There is something about the unique angle it takes with each character, whether its a lead role, supporting role, or a random side character. You get so invested in what they have to say, and Mustafa’s story arc makes you feel very much the same.
“The Forsaken” also spends some time on Helen this week, and tackles two difficult topics – drug overdose and Helen’s desire to become a mother. While going into the hospital, Helen finds a woman passed out on a bench and when treatment is administered, the woman begins screaming about a bag she left at the bench. It turns out that the bag had something very precious inside of it – her baby. This angle paves the way for Helen’s story in “The Forsaken” because she grows increasingly attached to the baby after her mother abandons it. In fact, it ignites this feeling of fate and connection within Helen and she starts imagining a life with the baby (whom she names Zurah), despite Max’s attempts to thwart any hope. It’s a difficult story to watch because you can see how much Helen wants this baby and her motherly instincts start to kick in. It is something she has wanted for so long and for a moment it seems like fate has brought this baby right into her arms.
There is something to be said about Helen’s story that will be extremely relatable for a lot of viewers. Whether you’re a parent or not, the connection to another human is something we can all understand. To see Helen’s love and admiration for the baby ignites all sorts of feelings within us and seeing that dream pulled away from her was extremely heartbreaking to watch. By the time “The Forsaken” came to an end, the baby’s father came looking for the baby which left Helen no choice but to let him have his child. However, there is something inspiring to take away from this entire difficult situation. Helen was prompted to let the new man in her life know that she really wants children, and it’s a deal-breaker for her. Unbeknownst to Helen, it turns out that her man already has two kids which begs the question, will he want more? Helen’s story could take a drastic, emotional turn if it ends up being that her boyfriend may not see more children in his future. The whole Helen arc is an incredible addition to New Amsterdam’s vibe because it makes everything feel so real and so human. This is a story that could very well be a reality for some of the viewers watching and it is what makes New Amsterdam stand out week after week.
And then we have Max, who is forever the heart and soul of New Amsterdam. The show has taken a bit of a hiatus from his health and cancer treatment and has gone back to focusing on what makes him such an amazing medical director. Seeing him do his thing is what makes the show so worth the watch. He’s inspiring, uplifting, and is the epitome of everything we’d want from a character like this. In fact, we’d be hard-pressed to find characters in medical dramas that are as amazing as he is. Conrad Hawkins from The Resident is one that comes to mind who’s similar in personality and passion to Max in New Amsterdam. Just like Max, Conrad puts his patients first, and nothing else ever comes before them. Watching characters like Max and Conrad is such a welcome change in medical dramas because they carry so much substance and motivation. They’re not just placeholders as the sexy, good-looking men of a drama series, they stand for something and believe in something. They focus their efforts on something that matters, something that isn’t related to their good looks or who they’re dating/married to. We could certainly benefit from more characters like this, ones that give us more to think about and aspire to.
New Amsterdam has focused a lot on relationships in its first season, and in “The Forsaken” this focus continued, whether the relationships are romantic, platonic, professional, etc. It is the cornerstone of the series and something that carries the show week after week. And as the first season inches closer to its finale, seeing how all these stories come together will be something to look forward to, especially considering how involved they’ve been in every aspect of the series.
Catch up on our previous New Amsterdam reviews here.
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