Episode 3 of "Pulse" kicks off with a dire warning for residents to remain indoors amidst the fury of a hurricane. Danny, by sheer chance, finds herself outdoors—a stroke of luck, as it turns out, when a lamppost topples onto a car, imprisoning the driver within its metal embrace. Danny, Phillips, and Elijah spring into action, swiftly shifting the lamppost and, in a stroke of ingenuity, deflating the car's tires to free the trapped individual.
Inside the ER, darkness reigns supreme as the power fails, forcing staff to improvise and persevere without the vital equipment and monitors they so heavily rely upon. The ER's inability to transfer patients to surgery adds to the chaos. Danny, hailed for her daring exploit in braving the tempest, modestly dismisses her actions as a collective team effort, a gesture that earns her admiration.
Upstairs, Phillips commends Danny for her bravery, yet she remains guarded, her trust warped by a lingering suspicion that Phillips harbors ulterior motives. In an attempt to prove his sincerity, Phillips hands her the Chief Resident badge, and the pair reluctantly agree to a tentative truce amidst the unfolding crisis.
Downstairs, Camila attends to a patient suffering from abdominal pain, awaiting scan results with bated breath. She passes the results to Chan but returns to find her patient mysteriously absent—having vanished from the hospital. Revelation dawns: the patient's appendix has ruptured, offering temporary relief but heralding impending agony and a grave risk of sepsis and death if left untreated.
Cole, upon learning of the patient's disappearance, is incensed, laying into Chan for her oversight. Determined to rectify the situation, Chan ventures out into the tempest with Camila, determined to track down the errant patient.
Elsewhere, Cass's affair with Luis is exposed, stirring her defenses as she learns of the burgeoning closeness between Nia and Cole.
Meanwhile, the couple from the parking lot scene are moved to a shared room, where Danny and Phillips keep vigil. The patient's unwavering devotion to his girlfriend is palpable, adding a poignant note to the turmoil surrounding them.
Regrettably, the situation escalates to the point where the gentleman finds himself compelled to undergo surgery due to a distressing swelling in his leg. Cole steps in to perform the operation, displaying a noticeable aloofness towards Danny as she endeavors to grasp the intricacies of the procedure. Following the surgery, he hands her some notes, which, in his typical manner, serve as a subtle commendation of her exceptional talent.
Speaking of encouragement, Chan too receives a morale boost from Camila amidst a self-doubt crisis outside. The two women find solace in venting about Cole and, eventually, they attend to their patient, Mackenzie. Ironically, all of this drama unfolds due to the patient's partner who happens to have a urinary tract infection (UTI). As the doctors explain, such an infection can trigger a myasthenia crisis, potentially impacting breathing, especially when exacerbated by specific medications. She had planned to inform her boyfriend about her condition after their hurricane and cruise adventure, but Phillips swiftly reminds her that true love thrives on mutual acceptance and staying together through thick and thin. Could this be a subtle jab at Danny?
The immediate dilemma revolves around a critical shortage of power. A communication breakdown with the fuel trucks results in an impending power outage with no immediate resolution in sight—or so it seems for ten minutes. Phillips springs into action, making phone calls and exploring alternatives until he manages to secure a swift resolution through his father's assistance.
In the midst of this energy crisis, Vero miraculously regains consciousness. However, with the power imminently shutting down, Dr. Cruz makes a pivotal decision, urging his daughter to breathe independently.
Recall the patient with a ruptured appendix? She is wheeled into the hospital, prompting Chan to confront Cole. Although not permitted to operate, she does receive a compliment from him, which elicits an awkward yet endearing dance with Camila.
As fuel trucks arrive and power stands poised to be restored at a moment's notice, Danny interrupts Phillips in the midst of a crucial procedure. Phillips, visibly irritated and still attending to a patient, retorts sharply, revealing that they had been cohabiting and that she had rejected his confession of love. Without missing a beat, Phillips delves further, dragging her mother issues into the open for all to hear.
The scene shifts back eleven months, to a donation event where Danny chances upon Phillips. Inevitably, the two find themselves sharing a drink and engaging in a heart-to-heart. Danny, uncharacteristically candid, confesses to the Chief that she is far from content in her current role. The conversation then veers towards Libby, Phillips' mother. Danny sharply notes that Phillips' connections make his ascension to the top effortless, a statement that doesn't sit well with him.
During their time together, Phillips opens up to Danny, complimenting her ability to make patients feel valued and noticed, an aspect of her work not evident on-screen except with Coach. He also admits his own aspirations for the Chief Resident position.
Seizing the moment, Danny initiates a dance, and amidst the rhythmic sway, their lips meet in a mutual kiss.
Returning to the present, the episode concludes on a tense note as Vero's vitals plummet, her heartbeat flattening to a worrying stillness. Will she succumb to her fate?
