The rumors are true. Dr. Helen Sharpe has returned to New York, but fans expecting a reconciliation between Helen and Max… are unfortunately, out of luck.
As New Amsterdam nears the end of it’s 5 season run, Max is his usual self: Trying to solve a problem in an unconventional way. Only this time, the problem is seeing Helen. Max spirals after seeing her on television – and knowing Elizabeth saw his reaction. While the growth in Max and Elizabeth’s relationship has been natural, it’s a relationship that was never going to be accepted by many fans of the show who still feel blindsided over the sudden breakup of Helen and Max.
Max explains his reaction to Wilder “It was like seeing a ghost,” because Helen isn’t in his life anymore. But Elizabeth is. She understands how much Helen meant to Max, but makes it clear she doesn’t want anything to do with their relationship drama. Fair. Just as they’ve established that, Helen sends Max a text asking to see him that night. Uh oh. Helen and Max do need to talk things out. Fans want a resolution and some closure. But it won’t be happening in this episode. With only 2 episodes remaining, time is running out for those who have hope that Helen and Max could reconcile. At this stage, I don’t see it happening. Which is a shame for long-time fans of the couple.
A friend of Floyd’s shows up to ask for help for his son, a teenager in the ICU with an aneurysm. Floyd quickly formulates a plan to help the boy, and it all seems very straightforward… until it isn’t, as a team searching for radioactive material within the hospital pinpoint its location to Floyd’s operating room.
To avoid having to see his ex, wanting to see his ex, not wanting to see his ex, being curious about his ex – Max finds an opportunity to literally run off into the wilderness on a “great escape” to avoid the whole issue. He takes Elizabeth, Ben, Lauren and Iggy along on his fun team-building adventure, which naturally turns into a nightmare when their guide is severely injured and they’re out of cell service range. Despite Max using it to avoid thinking about his problems, I really enjoyed seeing the team thrive in a high-stakes outdoor environment.
Back at New Amsterdam, Floyd’s day gets stressful as the radioactive activity team try to force him out of his own OR with his patient open on the operating table and the parents looking on. A compelling case with a dramatic twist successfully rounds out the episode as Floyd stands his ground and the surgery is successful.
Iggy uses the trip to avoid signing his divorce papers, not even hesitating when Max asks. The time outdoors gives him the time and space he needs for a journey of self discovery, to process the divorce and past trauma. The trip actually ends up helping him more than I expected it would. It’s been a rocky season for Iggy, and I hope we now end this season on a positive note for him as he looks forward to his future.
The moment fans waited for arrives at the end of the episode: Earlier in the day, Helen sent Max a series of texts summoning him to a bar. The place they used to go, 10pm. Max struggles with the choice of seeing Helen. He definitely wants to, but knows that it will bring complicated feelings such as abandonment, pain, regret. Ultimately, Max does go to the bar. He stands outside and looks in, seeing Helen but not quite able to go and talk to her. So close, and yet so far. Unable to go in, he turns and heads straight to Elizabeth’s apartment, and the two share a kiss – much to the frustration of Sharpwin fans everywhere.
