Hello, everyone! How are you doing? Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on the drama Pulse, which made its debut on Netflix as their first original procedural medical drama series.
Advertisements
Pulse launched on Netflix on April 3, 2025, offering 10 episodes filled with gripping medical scenarios, each running for 45 minutes and rated TV-MA. Crafted by Zoe Robyn and led by showrunner Carlton Cuse, this series features Willa Fitzgerald and Colin Woodell as they navigate the intense environment of emergency medicine in Miami.
This series delves into the personal and professional experiences of doctors and staff at a bustling trauma center in Miami, transcending the typical medical procedural. It portrays how a group of ER residents handle medical emergencies and personal conflicts amidst a contentious allegation at their hospital, creating a charged atmosphere that resonates throughout each episode.
Danny Simms: A Resident in Turmoil
Willa Fitzgerald takes on the role of Danny Simms, a multifaceted character balancing escalating relationship issues with the intense demands of emergency room work in Miami. Danny becomes pivotal to the show’s central conflict after making a serious allegation that creates divisions among the hospital staff.
Fitzgerald’s depiction of Danny is layered and engaging. As showrunner Carlton Cuse notes, “Danny’s more intricate than she appears. She’s even more complex,” and this depth greatly contributes to the emotional impact of the series. Her storyline navigates themes of workplace harassment, power dynamics, and the personal repercussions of standing up against authority in a high-pressure medical setting.
Xander Phillips: The Accused and Its Repercussions
Colin Woodell portrays Xander Phillips, another resident whose connection with Danny becomes the focal point of the hospital’s significant controversy. The series employs dual timelines – the current events and flashbacks to the recent past – to illustrate the ramifications of Danny’s harassment claim against Phillips.
Woodell’s performance treads a fine line, embodying a character who must be both relatable and suspicious. The show refrains from offering clear answers regarding guilt or innocence, instead highlighting how the allegation impacts everyone involved, from fellow residents to hospital management.
The Turbulence Inside and Out: Miami in Crisis
As a hurricane approaches Miami, turmoil also brews in the Maguire ER, where the serious allegation has created rifts among the residents. The series cleverly utilizes the impending hurricane as a metaphor for the internal disarray affecting the hospital staff.
The Miami backdrop is not merely a setting; it is essential to the show’s character. The diverse cast mirrors the city’s multicultural demographic, and the high-stakes medical situations often reflect the unique challenges faced in a major urban area vulnerable to natural calamities.
Supporting Characters: A Hospital in Disarray
The ensemble includes Jack Bannon, Jessie T. Usher, Daniela Nieves, Chelsea Muirhead, and Jessy Yates, each adding depth to their roles as residents, nurses, and staff entangled in the hospital’s turmoil. The supporting characters are not mere background figures; they all have a stake in the outcome of Danny’s allegations.
The final five episodes, starting with Episode 6, “Homestead,” serve as a reset in some respects, allowing several residents to enjoy a much-deserved day off while unveiling more details about Danny and her sister Harper’s upbringing.
Mixed Reactions on Netflix: A Challenging Start
All ten episodes of Pulse were released on Netflix on April 3, 2025, but the series encountered hurdles with audience reception. For some viewers, Pulse simply fell victim to poor timing, debuting shortly after the well-received HBO medical drama The Pitt, which premiered on January 9, 2025. Unfortunately, Netflix canceled the series after one season on July 2, 2025, despite its ambitious narrative and strong performances.
The series holds a 6.5 rating on IMDb, indicating a mixed but not entirely negative response. While some critics lauded the show for addressing challenging themes, others felt it struggled to establish itself in the competitive medical drama genre.
If you enjoy medical dramas that confront serious contemporary issues like workplace harassment and power dynamics, Pulse is worth your time on Netflix. Although it may not have enjoyed the longevity of other medical series, it offers a thoughtful look at how personal disputes can disrupt professional relationships in high-pressure settings.
Despite its cancellation, Pulse provides a captivating yet brief exploration of medical ethics and personal responsibility that fans of the genre should not overlook.
Series Information:
Number of Episodes: 10 episodes
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 6.5/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Medical Drama, Workplace Drama
Protagonists: Willa Fitzgerald (Danny Simms), Colin Woodell (Xander Phillips), Justina Machado
Antagonist: The systemic issues within the hospital and the repercussions of the harassment claim