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<\/a><\/div>\nWith the recent announcement of a new spin-off under development at NBC by controversial showrunner, David Schulner, as a once devoted fan of \u201cNew Amsterdam,\u201d and loyal Sharpwin supporter, I feel compelled to revisit their remarkable love story and the disappointing turn it took. Indeed, Freema Agyeman\u2019s decision to exit the series was likely a significant blow, given how integral her character was to the show. However, the manner in which the writing team handled Helen\u2019s departure, can only be described as objectionable and petty. The narrative could have preserved her dignity and left Max and Helen\u2019s relationship intact, especially considering the series had already been cancelled, and was only given a 13 episode run to close out the show. Instead, the writers chose to tear Max and Helen apart and paint Helen as an evil woman who ruined the life of their protagonist. It\u2019s challenging to understand the justification for this decision from any perspective. If that wasn\u2019t bad enough, Schulner doubled down and damaged Helen\u2019s stellar reputation at the hospital, by accusing her of initiating a racist drug trial. There is nothing anyone can say that would make this storyline seem even remotely necessary. If there is a rationale behind this narrative decision, I am all ears. Otherwise, it is difficult not to imagine the myriad of ways that Max and Helen\u2019s love story could have evolved, perhaps with Helen operating from London, allowing Max and Helen to sustain their relationship through the series\u2019 final 13 episodes.<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n\nWhile we cannot turn back time and what\u2019s done is indeed, done, this article aims to emphasize why audiences should be wary of any future projects by the team behind New Amsterdam. Meanwhile, it feels appropriate to reminisce about the days when Max and Helen\u2019s relationship was beautifully portrayed, a testament to the undeniable, organic chemistry between Ryan Eggold and Freema Agyeman. It is important to note that their compelling dynamic, rather than the writing, is what truly brought Max and Helen\u2019s love story to life. After engaging with the dedicated Sharpwin fanbase on \u201cX,\u201d below is a list of the most memorable Sharpwin moments. These highlights remind us of the exceptional bond that Eggold and Agyeman shared on screen. They truly set the standard for the perfect TV couple: mutual love, respect, trust and an undeniable passion for each other. While there are many memorable pairings in TV history, there will never be another Max and Helen and that is a fact. Here\u2019s hoping for a reunion between Eggold and Agyeman on our screens in the near future. Until then, let\u2019s celebrate the top Sharpwin moments, a tribute to the magic Eggold and Agyeman created together.<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/div>\n\u00a0 2. The Moment Everything Changed – Episode 2.16, \u201cPerspectives\u201d<\/b> \n3. The Decon Shower – Episode 3.12, \u201cThings Fall Apart\u201d<\/b> \n4. The Moment they became Canon- Episode 3.14, \u201cDeath Begins in Radiology\u201d<\/b> \n5. Two Become One – Episode 4.01, \u201cMore Joy\u201d<\/b> \u00a0 \u00a0 \n8. Max Chooses Helen – Episode 4.10, \u201cDeath is the Rule, Life is the Exception\u201d<\/b> \u00a0 \n10. The Real Proposal and Baby Talk – Episode 4.17 \u201cUnfinished Business\u201d<\/b> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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1. The Pre-Canon Break-up – Episode 1.17 Sanctuary<\/b>
\nIt is a fact that all of the best ships have a pre-canon break-up, and Max and Helen\u2019s moment in this episode was an emotionally charged one that revealed so much, yet left so much more unspoken. Helen\u2019s decision to no longer be Max\u2019s doctor reflected her internal conflict between her professional ethics and her growing personal attachment to Max. The moment was a turning point that hinted at the depth of their bond and foreshadowed the developments to come. Max\u2019s line, \u201cbut what if I want you?\u201d was so ambiguous and artfully captured the complexity of what he was feeling. On the surface, he meant the line reflected his desire for Helen to remain his doctor but it subtly unveiled a deeper yearning for her beyond a professional capacity. This admission gained even more gravity, considering Max was married at the time, adding a layer of tension as Max teetered toward the thin line between what is right and his burgeoning feelings for Helen.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nAfter Dr. Valentina Castro submitted her resignation, Max demanded to know what happened between Helen and her. Viewers know that the women came to an agreement after Helen found out that Castro was fixing her drug trial. In a moment brimming with tension, Helen attempted to shrug it off as Castro letting her ambition get in the way of her talent. Max would not accept that answer and demanded to know why Helen gave Castro half of her department. Helen finally confessed with a line that will be burned in the minds of Sharpwin fans forever, \u201cI did it for you. Everything that I have done, I have done for you.\u201d Max walked towards Helen, and the two stared into each other\u2019s eyes in a look that was filled with so much sexual tension that could literally be felt through the screen. Viewers at home were likely erupting, thinking the two would finally share a kiss. But alas, Max stroked his wedding ring and relented, ending the moment.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nIn a pivotal moment of vulnerability and raw emotion, the decontamination scene between Helen and Max stands out as a beautifully crafted display of their relationship. As they are in the decontamination shower, it is not just the physical barriers that are washed away; their emotional defenses are stripped down as well. The water serves as a metaphor for cleansing and renewal, with each drop revealing more of their feelings for each other. This scene was originally written with dialogue, but at the last minute the show runners decided to scrap it. But no words were needed. Their gazes locked on numerous occasions, conveying a depth of understanding and connection that words could never capture. This scene perfectly encapsulated the trust, intimacy and unspoken bond between them, leaving viewers captivated by the intensity of their interaction.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nIn the season 3 finale, Max\u2019s dramatic change of heart and his decision to take off his ring and run to Helen, captured the hearts of Sharpwin lovers worldwide. This scene, charged with emotion and intensity, represented a significant turning point in their relationship. After seasons of build-up, tension and unresolved feelings, Max\u2019s run is not just a physical act, but a metaphor for breaking down the barriers he\u2019s built around his heart. His realization that life without Helen is unimaginable, propels him to embrace his true feelings. This moment, underscored by the beautiful \u201cHonest Man\u201d by Luke Sital-Singh, left audiences captivated and eagerly awaiting the future of Max and Helen\u2019s journey together.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nThe entire episode was a Sharpwin lovers dream come true. Max and Helen finally surrendered to their feelings, after years of challenges, obstacles and near-misses. This intimate moment between them was not just about physical desire, it was a profound expression of their deep, emotional bond. The heartfelt way that Helen expressed her love for Max, saying it again a second time with meaning so that he knew she meant it, and him choosing to go with her to London, expressing that she was his joy was an absolute chef\u2019s kiss.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
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6. Butterflies – Episode 4.06, \u201cLaughter and Hope and a Sock in the Eye\u201d<\/b>
\nIn a poignant scene on the bridge, Helen and Max confess their vulnerabilities to one another, creating a moment of raw emotional honesty and propelling their relationship forward. Helen confesses her insecurities after overhearing Max state that maybe he wouldn\u2019t go to London. Max, in turn, revealed that he feels like he is not adventurous enough for her with being a parent. This candid exchange allowed them to confront their fears together. Helen\u2019s beautiful analogy about butterflies and her reassuring Max that he is her butterflies not only soothed Max\u2019s fears, but also deepened their connection. Every moment of this scene was perfect from the gentle kisses on each other\u2019s faces to Helen resting her head on Max\u2019s chest and tapping his heart exclaiming, \u201cthere they are now\u201d referring to the butterflies.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
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7. Luna calls Helen, \u201cmum\u201d – Episode 4.07, \u201cHarmony\u201d<\/b>
\nPassionate viewers know that all Helen has ever wanted in her life was to be a mom. In this tender and heartwarming moment, Max made her wish come true. Max initiated a conversation with Luna about what she should call Helen, now that they were embarking on a new chapter as a family. Together, they come to the touching agreement that Luna will call her, \u201cmum.\u201d As Luna said, \u201cmum\u201d while waving at Helen, Helen\u2019s huge smile encapsulated how she felt about finally achieving her dream of being a parent. It also solidified Max\u2019s bond to Helen as he made the significant decision to embrace Helen in the role of Luna\u2019s mom.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nMax\u2019s choice to step away from New Amsterdam, a place that was central to his identity and mission, underscored the depth of his commitment to Helen and their future together. It was a poignant testament to his character growth and solidified the depths of his love for Helen. Reflecting on this moment makes it even more infuriating how the writer\u2019s completely diminished Max\u2019s character growth at the end of season 4 into season 5.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
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9. The Almost Proposal – Episode 4.17 \u201cAll Night Long\u201d<\/b>
\nThis entire episode was a win for Sharpwin fans. From Max rehearsing his proposal to Helen, to him jumping off the stage during his karaoke duet with Wilder, excited about seeing Helen. Helen\u2019s intuition that Max was preoccupied, coupled with her tender admission of missing her little girl, added a layer of sweetness. The highlight, however, came when they arrived at home and Helen couldn\u2019t keep her hands off Max, while he so desperately wanted to propose. When he came out of the bathroom with the ring, he found her asleep. He sweetly covered her with a blanket and kissed her forehead, in awe of her. It is like he was thinking, \u201cI am the luckiest man alive. I can\u2019t believe I get to marry this woman.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
\nThis episode felt as though it was lifted straight from a Sharpwin fanfic, fulfilling many a fan\u2019s dream. It showcased the urgency that Max had to ensure that his love would be okay as she battled blood clots from being poisoned at the karaoke club. His tender care for her, complete with memorable lines like, \u201ceasy tiger\u201d- was a phrase so cherished by fans and by Eggold himself, that he immortalized it with a tattoo. Among the episode\u2019s highlights were Helen\u2019s vulnerable expression of her desire for a child and Max\u2019s instant, heartfelt assurance of his shared dream, sweetly imagining their future child as looking like Helen, making her \u201cfreaking adorable.\u201d Then came the proposal, which was pure television gold. Max, ever the spontaneous and passionate character, has always been driven by his emotions and this moment was no different. Amidst the bustling background of their life-saving work at the hospital, he decides that now is as good as any time to propose. It is a scene that captured the essence of their relationship- raw, real and beautifully unpredictable. Helen, caught off guard but visibly moved, is a picture of someone torn between her past and a future she barely dared to dream of. This proposal wasn\u2019t just a question; it was a culmination of all of their moments, challenges and the unspoken love that they have for each other. This was a stand-out moment that I am sure fans still re-watch multiple times to this day.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/div>\n
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\nNotable mentions:<\/b>
\n-Episode 4.11 \u201cTalkin\u2019 Bout a Revolution – The montage at the beginning of the episode where Max and Helen were so completely in love. The paint fight was definitely a highlight, as was Max\u2019s statement to Helen, \u201cI am in awe of you, and everything that you are.\u201d
\n-Episode 4.18 \u201cNo Ifs, Ands or Buts\u201d – Max\u2019s unwavering support during Helen\u2019s Aphasia was a testament to how much he loved her, no matter what. His reassurance that he would never leave her, eased her insecurities and helped her become stronger.
\n-Episode 4.14 \u201cUnto the Breach\u201d – Helen supports Max in remaining in New York to support the doctors in taking down Veronica. He asks her, \u201cbut what if I lose you?\u201d and she reassures him with, \u201closing me is impossible.\u201d
\n-Episode 4.02 \u201cWe\u2019re in this Together\u201d- The opening montage where the two are finally able to express their love in public. From Max peppering Helen\u2019s face with kisses, to handholding, to the huge smile on Max\u2019s face the entire time, showcasing how extremely happy he was to finally be with Helen.\n<\/div>\n