Covid-19 plots in medical dramas: How 'New Amsterdam' can tackle unavoidable but tricky terrain in Season 3
It cannot be easy to be the creator of a medical drama series in the midst of a pandemic. And no, we're not just referring to the logistical nightmare of filming in a safe way with numerous cast and crew members. The fact is that many are now looking at medical dramas like 'Grey's Anatomy', who have tackled Covid plotlines, to use fiction to make sense of their current reality. On 'Grey's Anatomy' we have already seen the cast handle Covid-19 in their storyline. Now a new season of another highly popular medical drama 'New Amsterdam' is upon us. We know that in Season 3 of 'New Amsterdam', the pandemic will be a part of the plot.
'New Amsterdam' executive producers David Schulner and Peter Horton in an interview with ET said, "This will be a season of coming to terms with reality, trying to heal and figure out if there is a normal city to go back to. The question is, what is the new normal?"
What is the new normal indeed even for television? Here are a few pointers we hope that the team of 'New Amsterdam' have kept in mind for Season 3. The world now watches everything Covid related obviously with far more emotional investment, so here are the lessons we hope 'New Amsterdam' learns from other shows which have included Covid-19 in their plots.
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Covid Fatigue
Covid fatigue is obviously a real issue that plagues the planet. It seems that for many the last thing they want to do is relive it on their favourite shows. While obviously it is virtually impossible for a medical drama to ignore Covid-19, many are hoping that their favourite shows stick to Covid-19 plotlines for a maximum of two to three episodes.
Oh no a pandemic episode i want to get away from Covid-19 #NewAmsterdam
— cumbywall (@cumbywall) March 18, 2020
Listen, I am prayinggggg that #NewAmsterdam only addresses the covid storyline for like 2-3 episodes and then moves on from it bc WE ARE TIRED 🥴 The "new normal" for so many of us is literally just our lives returning to the way it was before pic.twitter.com/g2oT98665e
— Jade' ✨| Happy Birthday, Babs 🥳❤ (@helensharpestan) October 20, 2020
All my Hulu shows are addressing covid and idk how I feel about it #ThisIsUs #GoodDoctor and I think #NewAmsterdam is next
— fariha (@FarihaO_) November 8, 2020
Wear masks the right way
Now that masks have become a part of everyone's daily lives, how the doctors on shows wear their masks is being watched very carefully even in the pre pandemic episodes. The cast of 'New Amsterdam' has come in for some criticism on Reddit for not wearing masks the right way.
A 'New Amsterdam' fan on Reddit says, "It kinda bothers me that most of them don't pinch their masks on the nose bridge for a "tighter" fit."
Also to wear masks or not wear masks seems to be the question. While some are of the view that they would like to see their favourite stars faces as they mouth their dialogues, others are vehemently opposed.
Use Max's trademark 'How can I help?' as much as possible.
It's a time in our lives where we have all needed help more than ever before. Even hearing it on a show reminds us of the better side of humanity and we all need to be reminded of that. So let Max ask, and ask often, 'How can I help?' on Season 3 of 'New Amsterdam'.
Ever since watching @NBCNewAmsterdam I have noticed myself asking “How can I help?” more. But this is especially true now more than ever! #Covid_19 #coronavirus #NewAmsterdam #howcanihelp
— Travel with KSB (@TravelwithKSB) March 21, 2020
Tributes to heartbroken familes and medical heroes
'Grey's Anatomy' paid tribute to Covid victims with a scroll, and while it was heartbreaking, the power of television also helped to unify people in their grief. Considering 'New Amsterdam' works closely with Bellevue and King's County hospital in New York, a heartfelt tribute to the doctors and nurses who work there would not go amiss.
#GreysAnatomy really put the name of lives lost due to Covid and it’s not even all the names... it’s such a heart breaking tribute pic.twitter.com/hwTxe3I7JE
— NotKobe (@bryanttnotkobe) December 11, 2020
"People who have died from covid are not nameless faceless statistics, they're mothers, children, spouses and deserve to be respected, they deserve to know they're loved and to be honored and remembered"#greysanatomy pic.twitter.com/qwJ3VehCZg
— Ally🌈❤ (@Ally1304) December 11, 2020
Pay attention to the vulnerable
It's clear that this will be an extremely crucial portion of the plotline in Season 3 of 'New Amsterdam'. 'New Amsterdam' executive producers David Schulner and Peter Horton in an interview with ET have shared, "The new season picks up in current times, in the midst of the pandemic, which has exposed gaping inequities in our healthcare system. Max is done trying to fix a broken system. He wants to tear it down and build it from the ground up, find new ways to bring people back to a system that’s forgotten them."
'Grey's Anatomy' also highlighted the racial injustice that came to the fore, even more so with Covid, winning kudos for tackling a subject that was the need of the hour.
"If COVID were killing white people at the rate it’s killing us? You can bet your ass that everyone would wearing masks because it would be the damn law." Maggie's right. #MedicalMedical #GreysAnatomy
— Grey's Medical (@GreysMedical) December 18, 2020
See for yourself how 'New Amsterdam' Season 3 tackles the new normal when it premieres Tuesday, March 2, at 10 pm ET/PT on NBC.
