New Amsterdam (1.2)

Thursday, March 6th, 2008 at 9 PM

FOX

New Amsterdam, Season 1 - Episode #2 - "Golden Boy"

FOX

manatee: OK, let's move on to New Amsterdam, Fox's new hot show

marmot: What did you think of episode 2?

manatee: I think it was better than the pilot, how about you? It seemed like they had a little more time to think about the plot, put in a few twists, make the murder a little more interesting. Yet it still had that bad episode of "insert any cop/detective show" here feel.

marmot: It was very formulaic. Again, I feel that the detective aspect just bogs this show down. The most interesting thing is how he has managed to maintain a life for 400 years. His relationships, his children, etc. Who cares about ANOTHER detective in New York?

manatee: I do like learning about the other jobs he's had: Lawyer, writer, furniture maker

marmot: I agree. If there was more of that, and less of his present, I think the show would be way more interesting.

manatee: I also like how they slipped in his previous names... YORK! How original. Next he'll be Johnny Manhattan (it's ok writers, you can take that from me, I won't mind). But I did like that it addressed him forging a birth certificate. It explains why he is a handwriting expert, how he joined the army, and how he lives for 400 years. (PS: the math is a little fuzzy on the show).

marmot: That's the exact thing I was thinking last night. Was he Johnny Brooklyn at one point, too? Or Johnny Long Island?

manatee: Haha. What did you think about the twist with his buddy bartender being his son? Interesting dynamic. How would you feel if you grew old while your dad stayed young?! And how would you feel watching your son grow old and die?

marmot: I thought so, too. I wonder how many other kids he's had through the years. Maybe that's why he's named John Amsterdam/York, because everyone in the city is a descendant of him. I can tell you one fatal flaw with this show: just because you're old, doesn't mean you know everything. It's really obnoxious whenever he comments about anything. I feel sorry for his partner.

manatee: She does not really seem to mind. I think overall, shout outs need to go to the editor and the costume designer. I liked the editing on the show, and I thought the costumes were fun, a little more trendy than your normal cop show.

marmot: I think the show is really great, technically and I love the tone - it's quiet and moody. It's just the writing that's killing it. I wonder what sold FOX on another detective show when there's so many on the air. I guess anything to climb out of the ratings basement.

manatee: I agree. I wish we caught him at a time in his life when he is ready to change careers maybe. How long can you stay in one job before someone realizes you still look 30. Ten years maybe, fifteen? Too bad he was not in transition.

manatee: How did you feel about the flashback scenes last night?

marmot: Dumb. I like the idea of flashbacks, but the whole forbidden romance...her father seemed like he was just as bored with what was going on as I was.

manatee: Do you have any hopes or expectations for next week? Will you be watching next week?!

marmot: It's on again Monday? Ughhh. Thrice in one week is too much. I don't want to watch the adventures of Johnny Greenwich Village that much.