WARNING: This article contains major spoilers for the premiere episode of New Amsterdam season 3. Read at your own risk.
New Amsterdam season 3 episode 2 will continue to expand the stories introduced in the premiere, titled "The New Normal." The doctors and medical staff are still dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and they're about to face more challenges moving forward.
One of the biggest questions entering New Amsterdam season 3 episode 2 is whether or not Floyd Reynolds (Jocko Sims) is coming back to operate on Vijay Kapoor (Anupam Kher), who tested positive for COVID-19. He needs the best heart surgeon to increase his chance of survival.
At the end of the episode, Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold) called Reynolds and asked for his help. It looks like Sims' character is returning. Speaking to TVLine, showrunner David Schulner said that the cardiovascular surgeon is coming back to do Vijay's surgery.
Reynolds was supposed to be living in San Francisco to practice at another hospital, but that didn't happen. The original plan for his story in the season 2 finale wasn't pushed through due to the real-life health crisis. Now, his arc may properly wrap up in New Amsterdam season 3 episode 2.
Schulner also explained that they are using the footage from the pandemic episode from the second installment. It can be recalled that Kapoor caught influenza and they used this as they can't shoot such scenes anymore. Since he's the oldest physician, he's the most susceptible to infection.
As for what else is coming in New Amsterdam season 3 episode 2, Max needs to face the heartbreaking consequences of his policy. In the same interview, executive producer Peter Horton said that viewers will see Eggold's character trying harder to make the system work -- even if it comes with complications.
Max is desperate in changing the entire system and even willing to start over just to get things better. But, while he is determined to make this happen, he recognized that his actions come with several consequences. Everything won't be easy for him and he'll be further challenged along the way.
Meanwhile, aside from the pandemic, the plot also tackles mental health. The premiere saw the hospital dealing with it and the stigma around it that becomes a challenge for Max and others. This is going to be one of the major storylines as the current installment progresses.
New Amsterdam season 3 episode 2 airs on Tuesday, March 9, on NBC.
