We have to confess that we love ships. It’s impossible to watch a show and not ship. Who the hell can do that? We certainly don’t. But there’re ships that are special, ships that simply make you feel that magic and think: I will go down with this ship. That happens to us with Max and Helen AKA Sharpwin in New Amsterdam. And we’ll explain why.
The way they respect each other
Max was married to a wonderful woman named Georgia when he met Helen. At that time, they were separated and had problems, but they loved each other and Max was determined to get his wife and his unborn daughter back, to get his family back. And then, when he got to New Amsterdam, he met Helen.
Their beginning was not the best but, although neither of them expected it or wanted it to happen, there was something between them. A … connection. Indelible, unbreakable, that was simply felt in the air every time they were together, every time they spoke.
Little by little, almost without realizing it, they began to get closer until neither of them conceived of life without the other. However, neither one of them did anything about it, they didn’t even talk about it, they decided to ignore it (it was not the best or the healthiest, but we get the point). Georgia existed and that was enough for neither of them to consider crossing the line.
What they had there was always present … but they both decided not to do anything about it. In Helen’s case, because she respected herself enough not to disrespect herself like that or disrespect Georgia, a woman she appreciated. In Max’s case because, although he undoubtedly had feelings for Helen, he also loved Georgia and was simply unable to even think of cheating on her.
They both respected each other’s decision and choices, even if it hurt them, even if it destroyed them, even when, in Helen’s case, at the end of the first season, she dared to name what she felt for Max.
The way they support each other
Helen has been there in Max’s worst moments, right by his side. And Max was by Helen’s side when she needed him. Helen has seen Max cry, despair, has seen him devastated and has seen him almost dead, first because of his cancer and, later, because of the loss of Georgia.
And she’s always supported him, even when he didn’t want that support. There were times when Max didn’t feel ready and rejected Helen’s help but she still stayed by his side because he didn’t know how to tell her that he needed her, but he did. That is the beauty of love, that you know what the person you love needs even when they are not able to tell you, because they don’t have to. In fact, we saw Helen get serious with Max so that he would let himself be helped.
The same happens with Max. He was always there. Even when he was around, Helen was in pain. But she needed a friend, a shoulder to cry on, support, and Max was here. Although neither of them felt ready to take that step foward but, still, he was there. Always. Even as his presence ripped inside her and broke her heart, she needed his presence, she needed him. And she can always count on Max, just as he can count on her.
The way they’re able to give everything for each other
It takes a special magic to be able to give part of yourself to another person. It’s precious when someone is able to share part of himself/herself with another person but it’s even more precious and much rarer to find a person who simply gives you a part of himself/herself. That’s just what happens with Max and Helen.
Since they met they have given a part of themselves to the other. Circumstances may have separated them and made them ignore what they felt but a part of them, a part of their heart, of their soul, will always belong to the other. So, when Helen needed something, Max never stopped to think about the consequences, what he could lose, what could happen … he just ran to get what she needed, even putting her above himself.
Helen does the exact same thing. She’s capable of doing absolutely everything for Max. Without thinking, even risking her own career. Even if it means having to put up with a person she fired, who she doesn’t like and who has never had her respect professionally or personally, just because she found a way to save Max when she failed.
Just because she owes her Max’s life. Never mind. It’s Max, he’s the love of her life, and everything else in the image disintegrates until it’s gone. And the best part is that Max feels exactly the same way about her.
The way they let go … until their time comes
The time for this couple to become official never seems to come. There’s always something that separates them … and they are strong enough to let go and just bide their time.
You see, I think that reciprocated love is beautiful, but you have to have an extraordinary strength to renounce that love when you feel that it is not your time or that you would hurt each other more than it hurts to be apart. Even if it means seeing the love of your life with another person, and it breaks your heart. Max and Helen are the perfect example.
You simply hope that one day, at some point, it will be your moment but you accept that it is not now and it is better to withdraw. Because it’s better to keep your love as a friend than not to have him/her at all.
Make no mistake, Max and Helen are endgame but, if they both decide to be together when the time is not right, they will inevitably break up and their future together will be destabilized. But if they wait, when they are finally together, that will be it.
We’re in the waiting phase now … although I hope that doesn’t last too long. But we must remember that nothing worthwhile ever comes easy (Oliver Queen dixit)
