The premiere episode of "Pulse" kicks off amidst the turmoil of Miami as Hurricane Abby looms large, its ferocity unraveling the tranquility. Amid the whirlwind, a school bus careens off a highway, plunging into the depths below, setting the stage for an intense narrative.
At Maguire ER, the atmosphere is electric. Dr. Xander Phillips, the esteemed Chief Resident, stands accused of sexual harassment by none other than Danny, a diligent third-year nurse. The revelation sends ripples through the office, dividing the ER staff into factions—those who stand by Phillips and those who rally behind Danny.
Consequently, Phillips is suspended pending an internal investigation, yet his presence lingers hauntingly around the hospital corridors for reasons unknown. This sudden vacancy necessitates a replacement, and with the unwavering support of the faculty, Danny Sims is chosen to fill the shoes of the suspended chief resident.
However, Danny is far from elated. She voices her concerns to Dr. Cruz, the current Chair, arguing that her appointment under such circumstances might raise eyebrows and invite accusations of a conflict of interest. Despite her reservations, Danny finds herself thrust into the role, reluctantly accepting her newfound responsibility.
Inside the ER, the staff stands vigilant by the doors, awaiting the arrival of patients. Amid the injured from the bus crash, a figure named Vero Cruz catches everyone's attention—none other than Dr. Cruz's daughter, adding an unexpected personal stake to the unfolding drama.
As we swiftly discover, Dr. Elijah shares a close bond with Danny, yet he was also a plausible candidate for the upcoming promotion. Witnessing Danny secure that position isn't a major concern, despite the charismatic Dr. Cole lightly taunting him about it. However, a disagreement arises between them when deciding whether to alert Dr. Cruz about the possibility of Vero being admitted to the ER. In stark contrast, Dr. Cole is less forgiving in this scenario. He maintains a detached demeanor towards the newcomer, Sophie, allowing her to fall into a predicament with Ruben when she mistakenly places a chest tube too low and bears the blame. When Dr. Elijah confronts him about it, Cole dismissively shrugs, reinforcing the stereotype that one shouldn't become too intimate with their female peers.
Later, Harper, Danny's confidant from earlier in the episode, confronts him. She's hidden away in one of the rooms attending to a patient, hesitant to escalate her involvement. She's visibly flustered and makes a critical decision to refrain from sending the bus driver to surgery, as he insists on staying in the ER to ensure the wellbeing of the children he was transporting. It's during this tense moment that we learn Harper is actually Danny's sister.
Soon after, Cruz's daughter is rushed in, prompting Danny to make the urgent call to inform the Chair. Their patient's condition is rapidly deteriorating, and it's a perilous situation for some time. When Cruz finds out, she's dissatisfied with not being forewarned. As for Danny, she makes a bold decision and opts to perform a pericardial drain. Yet, a sudden and complete power outage in the ER complicates matters, forcing Danny to proceed blindly without the assistance of an ultrasound.
Despite its effectiveness, her efforts are met with a scathing rebuke from Cruz afterward, prompting her to seek refuge in the coach's room. She orchestrates a rally of the entire sports team, who gather outside the room, chanting in unison for their beloved coach to undergo surgery. Their persistence pays off, as he eventually receives the medical attention he needs. As for Danny, she opts to conceal herself behind the room's curtain, shrouded in seclusion.
Flashbacks to Phillips' past unfold, depicting his arrival at Meridian and his immediate enchantment of everyone around him, Danny included. Their professional paths cross with occasional clashes while treating patients, yet Phillips remains her steadfast supporter, pushing her into challenging situations from the outset. During one of their shifts, he attempts to plant a kiss on her, only to be initially rebuffed. However, as revealed at the episode's climax, their relationship blossoms, culminating in a passionate kiss in the shower — an intimate moment interrupted by Danny's return home to find Xander already present.
In light of recent events and Danny's questionable leadership, Dr. Phillips is reinstated, gearing up to face the impending hurricane with renewed resolve.
