New Amsterdam Season 3 Episode 7, “The Legend of Howie Cournemeyer,” continues New Amsterdam‘s tradition of handling complex moral and medical issues with maturity and grace.
Several issues explored on the episode are so complex, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to handle them. If someone watching expects all of the solutions to be simple, they’re in for a frustrating hour.
Floyd and Lauren’s patient is the most complex example of this.
Kwame chooses his religion over his sexuality. In 2021, this is understandably hard to comprehend. But he makes it clear to Floyd that his life in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints matters more to him than his sexual desires.
So, Floyd finds a way to get Kwame’s elder to come back and find a path forward for him as an HIV-positive man in the church, even though that means ignoring his attraction to men.
This might not feel “right” to us. But Lauren’s solution to force his sexuality on him would only leave him unhappy and alone. There is no way to find a “right” answer here.
A similar theme runs through Max’s story with Howie Cournemeyer and Dale and the gay blood ban.
As progressive as Max is, it’s surprising that he would ignore the regulations in place for gay blood donors. It is an outdated, discriminatory policy and we know Max is not afraid of court. But defying the policy could cost him his job.
So, it’s arguably as complicated now as it was for Dale in 1986 when he had to stop his scheme of allowing gay men to donate blood under Howie Cournemeyer’s name in order to keep his job.
If Max defying the policy does result in a lawsuit, it will at least bring the regulations that still exist for gay blood donors (per The Red Cross) to the court’s attention.
But I’m uncertain if New Amsterdam will go so far as to “fix” such a discriminatory policy in its fictional hospital when real people are still fighting it in real hospitals.
That feels like an irresponsible line I hope New Amsterdam doesn’t cross.
For now, Max is causing necessary trouble that does more good than harm. I don’t have a better answer for what he should do, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that his resolve to just ignore the ban is too easy.
Max is privileged enough that he could hypothetically lose his job and still support Luna. But policy change is the only real and true fix here, so it’s unclear if this storyline has a fictional future.
I suppose, in this case, the goal is awareness. And if that is so, New Amsterdam has accomplished its mission. It’s just sad there is no fix in reality in 2021.
New Amsterdam does a beautiful job addressing Iggy’s body image issues on an episode so focused on the trials gay men face.
It’s not often that we see two men being intimate on network TV. So, the bookend scenes in the bedroom with Martin are important and beautifully done. But hopefully, Iggy’s struggle to accept himself is not over.
Body image issues are complex. It’s amazing that Ella’s words got through to him and that he ends a hard day loving himself. This arc is so well done, it would be disappointing and unrealistic if it abruptly comes to an end.
For such an important episode, I would be remiss not to point out how many plots feel unnecessary during the hour.
There are clear parallels between Helen learning how to give Meena tough love and the tough love she gives her patient, Karla. But, we spend a little bit too much time with Helen and Meena when we could be learning about Karla or other HIV+ patients.
Speaking of “too much time,” does Iggy treat any patients as he is waiting for Dr. Kapoor to arrive? Pediatric mental healthcare is serious business and he’s just sitting around looking at wasted Indian delicacies all day. It’s quite baffling.
Doctor’s Notes
- If you did not already know that Sandra is the best, her “Baby Dahmer” comment better have sealed the deal.
- Yay, we get to see Ella’s face! Now, tell me her baby’s name.
- It’s strange to me that Floyd doesn’t really accept that it’s over with Evie.
What did you think of this episode ofNew Amsterdam? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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New Amsterdamairs Tuesday at 10/9c on NBC.
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Esme Mazzeo
Esme Mazzeo is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist from Long Island. When she's not writing for work, she's writing for fun, or searching for something to satisfy her sweet tooth. She thinks rainy days are the best kind of days. Certified night owl.
