Episode 6 of "Pulse" kicks off with a harrowing nightmare scenario: at a plastic surgery clinic, a patient inexplicably stirs to life amidst the surgical blades, prompting an urgent transfer to our ER.
Harper arrives at Danny's doorstep, her voice laden with urgency as she declares a Code Red concerning their father. He's unresponsive, she explains, and she yearns to visit him in person. Danny initially balks at the idea but eventually succumbs to her plea.
The siblings arrive at their father's residence to find it in a sorry state of disrepair, a stark contrast to their expectations. Their father sits slumped in his chair, neglecting his well-being. The air is thick with tension as Danny and her father exchange barely tolerable conversation, punctuated by frequent disputes.
It becomes evident that their father grapples with severe medical conditions, particularly congestive heart failure, and it seems he's forsaken his medication. This neglect manifests in his inability to stand. Danny, sensing something more sinister afoot, urges to dial 911, but Harper is reluctant. Their father's blood pressure soars, and he's severely hypervolemic, yet Harper dismisses it with a shrug. Danny, her frustration mounting, knows full well that their father exhibits all the hallmarks of impending acute heart failure, and she's determined to intervene before it's too late.
This disagreement sparks a fiery altercation between the sisters. Danny insists that their father's actions are deliberate, prompting Harper to leap into the breach, casting herself as the noble nurse-saviour. Danny persists, pointing out that with Medicare and his dual pensions, their father could easily afford daily care, yet he chooses to keep Harper tied down in a pretense of familial harmony.
The undercurrent of animosity present here mainly originates from the fateful accident that confined Harper to a wheelchair. Their father, amidst an argument with Harper, lost his composure and pushed her, causing her to fall. Danny has harbored resentment towards their father for this incident, yet oddly, Harper has redirected her bitterness towards Danny. The previous blue stain on the wall was actually the remnant of Danny's adventurous youth, when she dyed her hair blue to irritate their father, an act for which Harper came to her defense, ultimately leading to her own injury.
Just as tensions were escalating, their father suddenly succumbed to a collapse, necessitating an immediate trip to the ER. The medical staff rushed to attend to him, validating Danny's initial assessment. Harper, in a mixture of disbelief and frustration, scoffed at Danny's correctness and stormed out of the room.
Meanwhile, Cole treated Nia to a delightful brunch before preparing to embark on his day off, which was initially meant for a round of golf with Soriano, as previously arranged. However, their leisurely plans were abruptly halted when they were assigned a high-profile surgery case. Prior to his departure from the hospital, Cole and Nia exchanged some flirtatious banter. Cruz, afterward, engaged in a game of cards with her daughter, Vero, amidst a subtle but palpable tension. Much of this tension revolved around Vero's unmentioned ankle tattoo of a bird. Upon inquiry, Vero revealed a simple yet significant reason for her ink: she merely wanted to bond with her friend who was getting a butterfly tattoo.
In the poignant flashbacks featured in this episode, we witness a pivotal shower scene between Phillips and Danny, revealed to have transpired four months prior. Phillips, acutely aware of Danny's distress, finds himself implicated in a scenario where he might have publicly commented on their relationship or, worst yet, strayed, evidenced by his heartfelt apology for "slipping up." These revealing moments also shed light on Danny's struggles with commitment, her longest relationship spanning a mere five months. To alleviate the tension, Phillips whisks her away to an arcade for an evening of bonding, bringing a poignant close to these回忆-laden flashbacks.
Switching back to the present narrative, an ER patient from the realm of plastic surgery arrives, creating a stir. It transpires that Dr. Pittman, the esteemed plastic surgeon, was in the midst of a breast augmentation and liposuction procedure when his patient inexplicably awoke.
Elijah steals the spotlight as she realizes the gravity of the situation: the patient's abdomen is still exposed, posing numerous potential complications. Blood oozes from the wound, and an excessive amount of fluid fills the belly cavity. It becomes immediately apparent that a trip to the operating room (OR) is paramount. Cruz steps up to the plate, taking charge to ensure this happens swiftly.
Upon discovering that Dr. Pittman, the individual accountable for this critical state, is occupied in surgery with another patient, Elijah's displeasure is evident. She enlists the help of Dr. Chan, and together, they orchestrate a miraculous rescue, saving the girl's life. Meanwhile, Pittman's reckless actions have severe consequences; his hospital privileges are revoked outright, and his name is struck from the Meridian ER rolls.
Elsewhere, Soriano and Cole venture to see their VIP, Mr. Morris, a significant benefactor to the hospital who now finds himself in desperate need of surgery. A can of air freshener has somehow made its way into his body. As Cole prepares for the operation, Cass urges him to focus on the task at hand, reassuring him that a successful surgery will not only aid Mr. Morris but also bolster his reputation among the surgeons, potentially paving the way for a promotion.
However, after the long and arduous day, Cole does not return to Cass's side. Instead, he visits Nia as she recovers. He sits beside her, their hands intertwining in a silent show of support and affection.
Meanwhile, Danny enters the room where her father lies recovering, taking a seat beside him to offer her presence and comfort.
