New Amsterdam: Pilot Review
In the early 17th Century, Dutch colonists settled in an area outside of Fort Amsterdam on Manhattan Island. The settlement was populated with approximately 270 people who were all safe and secure in the ownership of the land thanks to their company director, Peter Minuit who had “purchased” the property from the Manahatta band of Lenape Indians. Needless to say, Minuit got himself one heck of a deal turning over only a few beads and trinkets in return for what would one day become the city of New York.
John Amsterdam (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) was one of those early colonists, a Dutch soldier, he stepped in front of a sword to save the life of one of those Manahatta Indians. So grateful for his selfless act, she placed an ancient spell upon him granting him immortality. But one day, when his soul mate, his one true love appeared and they became one — then the spell would end and Amsterdam would return to his mortal state to grow old and eventually die with his lady love.
I don’t know about you, but that sounds more like a curse than a gift from someone whose life you just saved!
Fast forward to 2008 and John Amsterdam is now a homicide detective in the city he’s called home for 400 years. He lives in back of a jazz club which is owned by Omar (Stephen Henderson), the only man who knows John’s secret. John is an artisan and a photographer and of course, a student of history which makes him a walking encyclopedia of trivia. He recognizes a perfume because it was worn by Sarah Bernhardt and he knows how to find a certain bar because it used to be a speak easy. But as much as I liked the small history lessons sprinkled throughout the series, there were times when my credulity was spread thin. Yes, it’s a primarily a fantasy show, but having the artwork of an old love show up as a clue in a murder case was just a bit too contrived. (And I couldn’t help but think Jack Harkness in Torchwood’s “Small World” when John shared a moment with his now aged lady love.)
When we pick up the story, John is investigating the murder of a young woman and he’s been handed a feisty new partner right out of the “Typical TV Partnership” handbook. Eva Marquez (Zuleikha Robinson) is young and strong-willed and she’s got a chip on her shoulder the size of Ellis Island. And, you guessed it, she’s not happy to be partnered with the city’s quirkiest cop. “Make sure your life insurance is paid up,” is what the other cops told her and it’s Murtaugh and Riggs all over again. Just once I’d like to see two cops meet on a TV show and have them take an instant liking to each other, cause this, “I hate you and you hate me,” bit is cliche and boring and adds nothing to the show.
So here they are, Marquez and Amsterdam, working the streets, tracking down the girl’s killer. He’s being cryptic, she’s throwing attitude all over and then it hits him like a heart attack.
Well, actually, it’s a real heart attack and it comes on while chasing a suspect in the subway but this isn’t your normal run-of-the mill heart attack. This is a sign. His soul mate is nearby! (And again, how much does that suck? I swear that Indian girl must have wanted to die and so this was her revenge.)
John dies and Dr. Sara Dillane (Alexie Gilmore) pronounces him dead. Only, he’d not dead. Immortal, remember. So after a moment to recharge his batteries (I’m thinking Captain Jack, again) he wakes up in the morgue then heads for home, leaving one very confused Dr. Dillane. Is she his one true love? Will he catch the killer? Will he knock the chip of off Marquez’s shoulder? You’ll have to tune in to find out!
“New Amsterdam” is part fantasy, part romance, part cop drama. And it’s how well they mix those parts that will determine the show’s success or failure. It’s “Moonlight” with out the vampires and without the charismatic lead. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau does have a certain old world charm that suits the series, but he doesn’t have anywhere near the magnetism of “Moonlight’s” Alex O’Loughlin. Both play brooding do-gooders who are struggling to retain their humanity. Both are lonely and looking for love, and love is the one thing that can set them both free. Both use poetic voice-overs to begin the show but “Moonlight” has a sweet Raymond Chandler quality that “New Amsterdam” lacks. Both use historical flashbacks with “New Amsterdam” touching on a wider variety of eras. And as it is actually filmed in New York City, the series has a cold, gray feel to it that helps set the mood but is visually annoying after awhile. (Though I did love the chase through the park - excellent angles and great use of the stone-walled staircase.)
“New Amsterdam” is something different, you have to give it that. Immortality is an interesting subject. Combine that with the idea of searching for one’s “true soul mate” and it’s the stuff hundreds of romances were made of. Only thing is, this isn’t a romance. It’s basically a cop drama with a quirky detective who could as well be hallucinating ala “Eli Stone” instead of flashing back to his life in 1834. “Moonlight” made it out by de-emphasizing the private eye element and upping the romance. Trouble here is the fact that John Amsterdam dies when meeting up with his lady and that’s going to make for some very awkward love scenes.
“New Amsterdam” premieres Tuesday on Fox after “American Idol.”
Come back tomorrow when Nikolaj Coster-Waldau gives us his thoughts on his very first TV role.
Photo Credit: Julie Dennis-Brothers/FOX © 2007 Fox Broadcasting Co.
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POSTED IN: New Amsterdam, Reviews
2 opinions for New Amsterdam: Pilot Review
Brian Allen
Mar 2, 2008 at 4:42 pm
And of course, I have to draw the obligatory Highlander comparison. There’s also the “Superman” syndrome. How much compassion or suspense is there for a character who you know can’t die?
New Amsterdam: Pilot Review
Mar 2, 2008 at 5:07 pm
[…] & Order,” and it’s got “Moonlight” written all over it. Read a full review at our sister site, SFUniverse.com and an interview with star Nikolaj […]
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