(Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)
New Amsterdam now has two new episodes left of its second season. The creator of the medical drama has decided to shelve an episode which features a fictional pandemic taking over New York City. With the coronavirus impacting the world, the decision was made to pull the episode and air it at a later date, per Deadline.
This means the season finale for the NBC series will air on April 14th. The series returns with new episodes on April 7th. Daniel Dae Kim and several members of the crew have been diagnosed with coronavirus. Kim is a new member of the cast, and he is already on the mend.
David Schulner wrote a lengthy essay explaining why he decided to pull the episode of New Amsterdam for now. In part, he said the following:
“Though, sometimes, when we get it right, the fiction we write actually does what Hamlet instructed. This was the case of an episode of New Amsterdam called “Pandemic” written by David Foster (a Harvard trained M.D.) and directed by Nick Gomez. David wrote the episode in 2019 about a flu pandemic overtaking our fictional hospital in New York. During a bad year, influenza can kill up to 80,000 Americans. We wanted to get this message out. And the best way to do that was to scare you so bad you’d be washing your hands during the commercial breaks. We showed what happens when our hospital has to erect tents in the parking lot because every bed is taken. When the doctors and nurses and medical techs have been working back to back shifts because their replacements are sick. When panic sets in. When people are quarantined. When people die.
Sometimes, what the mirror reflects back is too horrifying to look at.
This is why NBC recently decided not air “Pandemic”. David even renamed it, “Our Doors Are Always Open”, as a salve. But, let’s call it what it is. We shot a fictional pandemic episode right before a real pandemic hit. People are dying in real life. Do we really want to watch fake people die too?”
New Amsterdam has already been renewed for three seasons.
What do you think? Are you a fan of this series? Was pulling the pandemic episode the right move?
I hate that Reynolds left the show. Good character
I do hope there will be a season 3, but yes, I think pulling that episode was the right choice.
Love the show. Right decision to pull the Pandemic episode.
Yes, I believe it was the right decision. I am a big fan of the show!
I think they should have aired the episode, if only to show people what could happen if they continue to not self quarantine and practice social distancing. The news and other shows are showing videos of what is really going on in hospitals that are being shot by nurses and doctors on the front lines and posted to twitter and facebook. Maybe if they showed the episode more people would understand what is happening and follow the rules.
Very responsible and compassionate on the part of writers and crew to not show this episode at this time. I am a huge fan of show and looking forward to its return. The entire country needs a chance to recover from this pandemic before we relive it on TV. New Amsterdam is a great show
Good decision. Not a theme we need to see now!! Praying for recovery of all our favorite actors!
It was the right decision to pull the show. However folks should have had the option to watch it online. That way you are being fair to everyone. Some folks may like the opportunity for escape, especially if it ends on a good note which is often the case with this show.
Yes, pulling that episode it is the correct thing to do. Glad to see it was renewed, my favorite show!!
Good Choice, timing is everything, reli^ved to hear the show is returning
New Amsterdam is my favorite show.l do think it was the right thing to do.
That is very thoughtful at this time. Thank you. Love New Amsterdam.
Great idea. Love the show
Love this show. Good idea to pull this episode at this tine
I believe pulling the pandemic Episode was a smart move with everything going on in the world The show is wonderful I’m gonna be watching the reruns to catch up See on season 3.
Good ideal to pull the episos. Love the show, will miss Reynolds