Customer Reviews

New Amsterdam

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Fox's New Amsterdam revolves around John Amsterdam, an immortal detective working in NYC. At first glance, New Amsterdam's plot would appear similar to that of Forever Knight - The Trilogy, Part 1 (1992 - 1993), Moonlight, and Blood Ties (2006 TVseries), all of which feature vampires investigating human crimes. However, John was granted immortality for his selfless sacrifice: he placed himself in front of a Native American woman during a fierce battle, and was fatally stabbed. The shaman that he saved restored him, telling him that he should remain immortal until he met his soulmate.

Flash-forward a few hundred years, and John's now working as a homicide detective in NYC. He confides his doubts and concerns to his best friend Omar, the only other person to know his secret, and his current dog, 36. Over John's many lifetimes, he's fathered dozens of children, dated hundreds of women, only to watch them age and wither as he remains untouched by the ravages of time. He's a recovering alcoholic who hasn't had a drink since the 1960s. He's honed several talents including photography, painting and woodworking (he creates "antique" desks that sell for large sums). But he feels that something is missing until he suffers a massive heart attack while chasing a suspect on a crowded subway platform. He feels that it was the pain in his heart that the shaman foretold, and that his true love must have been on the same platform.

Meanwhile, his new partner Eva Marquez is as green as they come, and John ends up being a sort of mentor even as he searches for the mystery woman on the subway platform. Eva and John are assigned to a variety of homicides, and the show loses momentum on the procedural as the cases that they investigate aren't particularly memorable and exist only to further the plot (and parallel flashbacks to John's earlier lives similar to Forever Knight).

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, a Danish actor, does a good job of conveying John's anguish at having to leave behind loved ones, and of capturing John's unique skills on the job acquired through hundreds of years of experience. He has a slight accent that drifts between general American and "other," which isn't terribly distracting given as his character grew up speaking Dutch. The visual design also deserves a special mention, particularly during flashbacks, and the opening credits are some of the most visually imaginative I've seen.

New Amsterdam was originally scheduled as a 13-episode series, but was put in as a mid-season replacement and only aired for eight episodes. Despite being ended mid-season, the writers had been steering the story in an obvious direction. It's a shame that New Amsterdam won't have a chance to play out; despite some flaws in the homicide procedurals, the flashbacks were executed with style and wit. If you're looking for a similar story, pick up Forever.

This show is well worth watching - the actors play very well off each other and the material. The three plot lines, (John's romantic interests, the flashback sequences and the homicide case), are not at all conflicting and the writers have done an excellent job of meshing the three. The only weak point is the crime drama, but the parallel plot lines do a rather fine job of standing out in place of it. Nikolaj and Zuleikha have wonderful banter and look well onscreen, as do he and Stephen Henderson!

New Amsterdam was one of my favorite new shows of the 2007-2008 season. In the beginning, I wasn't sure where it was going, but the stories and flashbacks just got more interesting every week. I couldn't wait to see where (and when) it would go next.

I especially loved the complexity of the John Amsterdam character. He was so very flawed, and not always likable, but I still rooted for him to find peace and happiness. Loved this show!

At first glance there is an impulse to compare this show with others such as Forever Knight, Highlander and Moonlight. But this fades once you see one or two episodes. For me, I enjoyed the historical weaving of life in New York over 400+ years. And best of all - the writing is first class and the production values are also top of the line.
Unfortunately this show happened when most of us were used to not watching tv and had found other sources of entertainment during the writer's strike. This show in particular needed to "grow" its audience. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is an amazing talented actor whose eyes tell the story of his warmth and sincerity. Hopefully another network will pick this gem up.

A pretty good love/drama/sci-fi series. On the same line as Moonlight. Which I also enjoy watching. WORTH WATCHING.

Amersterdam, the main character, is immortal like the main character of Highlander, irreverent and able to see things in a way others can't like the main character of Life. Although there are many similarities between New Amsterdam and many other shows, there are enough nuances to make it uniquely original. The acting is great and the story-line believable to a degree...hard to fathom immortality. All in all, a very good show and well worth watching.

After watching the first 3 episodes I have to say I throughly enjoy New Amsterdam. Though not 100% original(the use of flashbacks being just one) it has it's own unique flavor. I've always liked the stories about people who are immortal, Highlander being one of my favorite shows. There is so much you can tell about the human condition through the eyes of some one who has lived for centuries.

What I like about this show is that there is only one immortal(well as far as we know, kinda find it hard to believe that the Indians who granted John immortality would only do this for him and no one else or not even themselves). So no "There can only be one" off with their heads thing.

There are plenty of pleasant character surprises in this show. And that what this show is character driven. The cast works well together. And it seems if this show gets a chance(We all know what Fox does with good shows, look at Serenity and Drive) it can go on for a few seasons.

If I analyzed every TV show I watched, I'd come away with a lack of enjoyment and a big headache. I worked in the law enforcement environment for many years. I know these crime shows include a lot of bull puckey. However, I watch TV to be entertained and to 'escape' for awhile. This show does entertain me. I enjoy the escape. Mr. Coster-Waldau is an eyefull in my opinion. I intend to keep watching it until it's gone.

My sons and I have watched New Amsterdam since the first episode. We find it to be an interesting premise and so far good story lines. I was not aware of the Pete Hamill connection and since I haven't read the book it doesn't mar my enjoyment of the show. We don't watch much television together as a family so it's good to find things that we can enjoy together. I really like it personally and hope that it lasts.

My family and I really enjoyed New Amsterdam. We were bitterly disappointed when it was cancelled. Everything about it was class. Good acting, interesting characters and story, great haunting music, wonderful recreation of historical settings. There's so much garbage on TV. Why did this go away?!