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Covid-19 plots in medical dramas: How 'New Amsterdam' can tackle unavoidable but tricky terrain in Season 3

What lessons should 'New Amsterdam' learn from shows like 'Grey's Anatomy' which have tackled Covid 19 in their plotlines?

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.

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'.

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.

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.

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.