New Amsterdam

Pilot

Season 1, Episode 1, Aired 3/4/08

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Episode Summary

We're introduced to John Amsterdam - a brilliant New York homicide detective who's also an immortal being. John will only start aging once he finds his true love which hasn't happened for the past 400 years of his life. John's homicide partner is a woman named Eva Marquez. The only person who knows John's secret of immortality is Omar, who also happens to have his own secret safe with John.
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''John escapes death when he finds himself investigating the murder of a socialite who is somehow connected to his past.moreless

8.9

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Cast & Crew

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Zuleikha Robinson

Eva Marquez
Nikolaj Coster Waldau

John Amsterdam
Alexie Gilmore

Dr. Sara Dillane

Fan Episode Reviews (19)

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What would you do if you could live forever? John Amsterdam can. Welcome to his story.

9.0

"Superb"

By walrus_8463, Nov 23, 2010 Report Abuse

In this episode, we are introduced to Detective John Amsterdam of NYPD Homicide. Amsterdam has been immortal since saving the life of a Native American girl in the 1640s. John has led many different lives and had many different names but doesn't grow old. Now, in 2007, John Amsterdam uses his knowledge to find murderers. He comes off as being a bit bored with his immortal existence. His new partner, Eva Marquez, seems to butt heads with John near the beginning. I like how they slowly build a trusting partnership. The past comes back to haunt him during this episode. He also believes that he has found the one whose love will make him mortal. John has a lot of knowledge that he uses to help solve the case of a murdered girl in this episode. This seems to be an interesting start to the story of a man who's looking for a mortal life and his true love. In the meantime, he's around to help the city of New Amsterdam.moreless

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1 0
We meet John Amsterdam who has lived for 400+ years but looks like he is 35. He has lived many lives, been married, had 609 girlfriends, and 36 dogs to date. In his current life he is a Detective for the New York PD. This is his story.moreless

9.0

"Superb"

By jyarter, Jun 10, 2009 Report Abuse

Very entertaining Pilot episode. Some nice touches throughout and he even solves a murder investigation while he's at it.

He seems very open about discussing his past as it seems that people just find that a quirk of his personality. I like how it seems people like him but find him eccentric. We see he has been a famous furniture maker among other vocations and has known some famous people through his time here in the New World.

We find out he has a rare blood type that no longer exists when he dies and gets put in the morgue. It seems this is not the first time that has happened as he just walks away and insinuates as much. Some snappy dialogue for example when his new partner gets a little under his skin he says, "you sound like my last 609 girlfriends." When they go into the underground club and he mentions it was their during prohibition with the same name she asks him how he knows and he says, "I use to drink here." Very matter of fact.

The murder mystery was not much of a mystery as you suspected the father early on. Especially when he mentioned the 10K bracelet was nothing from a monetary standpoint. The story held up well enough on its own and was very well done. I like the bit with the Madagascar Red paint as it is true that paint with lead was not used after about 1940 when the dangers of lead poisoning were first really pushed as a health hazard. The paints were very distinctive though so it is easy to match what artist used what medium so that was cool.

In general a clever use of the lives forever fable and an excellent use of his long honed skills to find the answers to questions and situations. After seeing this first episode I am surprised it lasted only eight episodes. I will watch the rest and endeavor to understand why that happened. Thanks for reading...moreless

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We are introduced to the main character Detective John Amsterdam in the NYPD Homicide division. He has a really strange past and has to be up for retirement soon, especially when we find out he's over 400 years old !!!moreless

9.1

"Superb"

By captainbritain, Jun 02, 2008 Report Abuse

The pilot episode was very well done and the flicking back and forth from the present day, back to the time of his encounter with the indians and the magical sharman, who brings him back to life and makes him immortal.

There are some dark humour aspects in the episode, like the AA meeting, where he tells us that he's been sober for 15495 days, then the guy says thats 1965, see, even at an AA meeting you'll still find a smart a$$ no matter where you are.

We also meet his dog, and I love it that he's called it 36, whether its the 36th one of the same lineage or just his 36th doggie.

I can't wait to watch the rest of them.moreless

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2 0
Great introduction of John Amsterdam and the world his lives in past and present. We start out nicely in the present with John chasing a suspect but during the chase he collapses. It was a nice way for the writers to give us his backstory. As amoreless

8.9

"Great"

By danharr, Mar 20, 2008 Report Abuse

Great introduction of John Amsterdam and the world his lives in past and present. We start out nicely in the present with John chasing a suspect but during the chase he collapses. It was a nice way for the writers to give us his backstory. As a new comer to the new world John is stabbed and hexed by a native person he saved. The hex lets him live forever until he finds his true love. I really like how all of the key facts of the show were established in the first episode. We also got to meet his key satellites that surround him throughout the series. His friend at the bar, his sexy tough partner, and his jerk backup detective. In a final bold move John even potentially meets the woman who's love will kill him. Great to start to what appears to be a great series also avoiding all the cliche labels the uninformed threw at this show.moreless

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Very strong start to what looks like it will be a good series.

9.6

"Superb"

By johnkimble85, Mar 13, 2008 Report Abuse

Very excellent characters. Historic references are interesting and educational. A lot of it is shot on location which is nice because there aren't a lot of crappy sets. Main Character, Amsterdam, is funny and believable. It provides an interesting look at life through the years in New York City. Most of the historical references I've noticed were accurate. Surprisingly good for a show on Fox. I heard they were going to cancel it but hopefully that was just a rumor. Even when I don't watch on TV I watch full episodes on Fox.com [and suffer through commercials even though I know its available elsewhere- commercial free] because I want to support the show. Definitely worth watching. One of the few good shows on Fox.moreless

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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Trivia
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- Nikolaj Coster Waldau's accent slips several times throughout the episode. Edit
- Trivia: John's detective badge number is 9298. Edit
- In the scene where John is being resuscitated they are shown defibrillating Asystole. According to current Advanced Cardiac Life Support protocols, you only defibrillate Ventricular Tachycardia or Ventricular Fibrillation. You never defibrillate Asystole. Edit
Notes
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- International Airdates:
  Canada: March 4, 2008
  Norway: July 30, 2008 on TV3
  Edit
- Songs featured in the episode: "Island: Come And See" - The Decemberists "Your Heart Is An Empty Room" - Death Cab for Cutie Edit
Quotes
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- John: New York City. A beautiful catastrophe, someone once called it. I call it home. Romance, glamour, excitement. This city has it all. When you've lived here as long as I have, and you've seen what I've seen, cynicism isn't just a pose. It's what gets you through the day. And there've been a lot of days. And a lot of nights. Edit
- Older Indian Woman Crone: You will not grow old. You will not die. Until you find the one, and your souls are wed. John: How will I know when I find her? Older Indian Woman Crone: You will feel it, here, in your heart. Edit
- John: (to Mrs. Carlton) You asked before how you go on. You do what you can. Go to work, you see your friends, you cook food...get up in the morning. Then, one day, it...changes. Don't know why, it just does. Edit
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