The day that was thought to never arrive is finally fast approaching. Of course I’m talking about the oft-delayed premiere of the new Fox SF series “New Amsterdam.”
This program was hit with delays, script rewrites and time-shift shuffling almost from the beginning of its announced production. Then the writer’s strike hit and it pretty much was left dangling in the wind. Now, however, the show is out of the shute and ready for its big opening day on the Fox Television Network this Tuesday, March 4, 2009 at 9PM ET with a second episode airing on Thursday, March 6th at 9PM ET. After “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” goes on its season hiatus, “New Amsterdam” is scheduled to fall into that Monday night timeslot.
“New Amsterdam” centers on a brilliant and enigmatic New York homicide detective unlike any other. And he has a profound secret — he is immortal.
In 1642, John Amsterdam. played by actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, then a Dutch solider in the colony of New Amsterdam –- later to become New York City — stepped in front of a sword to save the life of a Native American girl during a massacre of her indigenous tribe. The girl in turn rescued Amsterdam, weaving an ancient spell that conferred immortality upon him. Amsterdam will not age, she told him, until he finds his one true love. Only then will he become whole and ready for mortality.
Amsterdam has found this to be a mixed blessing. Over the course of three centuries, he’s experienced endless adventure and honed his many talents. But everyone Amsterdam meets must leave him in time; friends, lovers and children grow old and eventually die, while he remains young. The exhilaration of eternal life has given way to emotional isolation and loneliness; the blessing has become a curse. His sole confidant and current lifelong friend is the sage jazz club owner Omar, portrayed by actor Stephen Henderson, the keeper of Amsterdam’s secret, as well as a few of his own.
Having witnessed its entire history from colonial outpost to mega-metropolis, John Amsterdam is the living embodiment of New York City. He and the island of Manhattan are joined — part and parcel. Bringing to bear the unorthodox techniques and unique knowledge gained from his vast life experience, Amsterdam today is one of the NYPD’s best homicide detectives, sparring with his vibrant, strong-willed partner Eva Marques (Zuleikha Robinson) as they solve difficult murder cases.
But when Amsterdam suffers and then recovers what appears to be a massive heart attack while chasing a suspect, and Dr. Sara Dillanellane (Alexie Gilmore) pronounces him dead in the ER he realizes that the prophesy may have come true — he felt the pain in his heart foretold so long ago. His soul mate must have been nearby. As he works to bring closure to the lives of others, Amsterdam also seeks closure of his own.
From executive producers David Manson (“Saved,” “Thief,” “Nothing Sacred”), Allan Loeb (“Things Lost in the Fire,” “21”), Lasse Hallström (“Chocolat,” “The Cider House Rules,” “The Hoax”), Leslie Holleran (“Chocolat,” “The Cider House Rules,” “The Hoax”) and Steven Pearl (“Untraceable”), this intriguing series invites viewers to explore the enduring mysteries of life, death and true love.
This is a really good premise for a SF airing on Fox. If they stay true to their M.O., we will get 4 or 5 episodes before they drown it in their shark tank. At least with “New Amsterdam” they have a plotline that will allow them to cancel it with real closure….Amsterdam finds his true love and BINGO! The show is successfully concluded and Fox execs can sleep at night without that baseball bat hidden under their beds.
Scott from Kalamazoo says
It sounds interesting but I won’t watch because Fox has already cut the episode order. In other words they are already planning on cancelling it so I’m not even going to bother.
Wolfstan says
I feel real sorry for you guys having to put up with your networks. It’s amazing how many good shows they kill due to them not reaching that magic viewing figure. RIP Firefly & The Dresden Files
Mel says
I’ve seen the pilot. Seems like a fun plot however the whole cop drama thing is getting a little tired. Also keeping in mind this is Fox, a channel with the bad habit of canceling good shows for the hell of it, I’m not going to allow myself to get too attached, just in case.
steve says
i don’t know which i want more- a terrible show that i won’t miss when fox cancels it or a really good show like firefly that i will miss terribly.
John T. Folden says
I don’t think there can be much debate that FOX’s prior track record has been spotty and their frequent shuffling of NA has been tiresome.
However, the episode order was cut because the show moved to mid-season. If you notice, virtually all of FOX’s mid-season new series are very short (NA, Sarah Connor, Canterbury’s Law, Jezebel James). …and no matter how they felt about it before, they obviously have enough faith in the show to give it not just one but TWO preview slots behind American Idol, and are airing promos constantly.
Oh, and for those who care, the pre-air screener of the pilot that’s been making the rounds is not the finished version. It’s been changed quite a bit in the episode we’ll see next Tuesday.
John
http://newamsterdam-forever.com
Lisa from Indiana says
Ben Abba it is very bad manners to pimp your website and your book in these forums. I visited your site and it is very weak. Troll elsewhere, please.
Sam says
Thanks Lisa…this one slipped by our SPAM filter. I’ll take care of it now.
Christine says
I’m also excited about this show. I’m willing to invest in watching it and I;m going to follow it closely.
By the way, Lisa, when you make a post this web site ASKS for your web site address if you have one. It asked for mine so I’m putting it on there too. It’s not spamming or “pimping” when they ask you for it. I just thought you may want to be aware.
By the way, I’ve checked out John’s web site last week and it’s probably the best out there about the show.
Christine
http://johnnewamsterdam.blogspot.com/
Sam says
Excellent interview with Nikolaj. Recommend our readers and listeners visit the link provided by Christine and read the interview….it’s good stuff.
Vanamonde says
I’ve seen the pilot. I found the main character soo bloody annoying. Such a smug git, that his death can’t come soon enough.
Unless they make him a more sympathetic character in future episodes, this series will deserve to suffer from the curse of Fox.
Deven Science says
We’ll see what FOX does with this, but of more concern to me is what they’ll do with “Dollhouse”. I can’t believe that Joss went back to FOX to do a TV show!
JossFan says
I’m going to give New Amsterdam a try, but I’m not entirely sold on it yet. Been getting info from http://www.nafans.com and it looks like it’s worth checking out. I’ve heard the second episode is better than the pilot, though.
@Deven – I’m surprised, too. Does Joss have some sort of “first look” deal with them or something? Oh, I just had a Google Alert that spoilers for the first episode of Dollhouse are psted at http://www.dollhousetv.net. Finally!
Deven Science says
JossFan,
No first look deal. Elisa has a deal with them, and she wanted a new series to star in, and so she’s the one who talked him into coming to the table with FOX again. I guess if Faith told me to join her at FOX, I’d do it, too.
Ben Abba says
Sam,
I find it interesting that you pulled my comment, even though it was on topic and followed the comment guidelines and yet you allowed a comment from a poster that is derogatory, offensive, off topic, and does not follow the comment guidelines.
Please remove the comment that connects my name with a racial slur.
thank you.
Sam says
BenAbba: Did I remove one of your comments? I honestly don’t remember – I review thousands of comments every single day for FarPoint Media that I can’t remember them all. Resubmit it. If I did and it wasn’t offensive, I will take another look to see if it was just one of those tired moments I have after bleary-eyed scanning comments, news stories and articles by the thousands every day.
It could be that something was in it that didn’t get by our SPAM filter….so, please resubmit and let me take another look at it. Also – which article was it attached with? That way I can be aware of the area to be looking for it.
Sam says
Ah, now I think I remember which one it was. I will admit BenAbba that I was a bit hasty about eliminating your post, and was sorry I did so right after I hit the delete button on it. Please accept my apology and resubmit the comment.
Here is a link to BenAbba’s site that talks about Immortals. It is a fine article and one that raises some interesting ideas and questions.
http://www.ben-abba.com/
– Sam