Episode 7 of "Pulse" kicks off with Harper confirming to Danny that their father has safely returned home. However, Harper remains tight-lipped, still stung by their recent spat. Just then, a novel case arrives in the ER – a victim of an alligator bite. Elijah steps into the spotlight, taking charge of Diego, the unfortunate soul whose encounter with the gator left him severely bitten, while Dr. Cruz looks on intently.
As Elijah struggles with the patient's care, Cole steps in, making crucial decisions on his behalf. In the hallway afterwards, Elijah rebuffs Camila, leaving her tearful in the changing room. Chan catches wind of Elijah's dismissive behavior towards Camila.
Eventually, Elijah apologizes to the intern and decides to lend a hand to Bianca, the patient Camila had initially wanted to fast-track. He opts to keep her under observation, a decision later questioned by Cruz but proven to be the right call.
Next, Cole finds himself shut down by Chan, who assigns him administrative duties. Meanwhile, Cole's bond with Soriano deepens as they work together on the gator bite patient. The plastic surgeon even hints at Cole possibly switching teams and joining his department, presenting Cole with a pivotal decision.
Cass offers him words of wisdom outside, pointing out that Soriano is investing in him and that choosing the easy path would be a foolish move. Following their conversation, Luis threatens Cole, warning him of dire consequences if he breaks Cass's heart.
Elsewhere, Danny is tasked with a lung transplant patient named Cynthia, who's battling to breathe. As Danny tries to provide care, she notices Cruz observing from the sidelines. It transpires that Cruz is on the lookout for the next permanent Chief Resident and is sizing up potential candidates.
Later, Cruz joins Danny as they converse with Cynthia, who's apparently resumed smoking despite her transplant, explaining her respiratory distress.
Amidst the flashbacks, we journey back a month, witnessing Cruz diligently vetting candidates for a crucial position, ultimately narrowing down the choices to Danny and Phillips, whose fate we already know. Meanwhile, beneath the surface, tensions brew between Elijah and Danny, with the latter yearning for recognition and respect. Their complex dynamics take an unexpected turn when Danny and Phillips share a passionate kiss in the hallway, an intimate moment unexpectedly witnessed by Cass. Danny hastily pursues her, while Cass, standing outside, speaks candidly, affirming Danny's brilliance and hinting at whispers surrounding her candidacy for the residency program.
Shifting to the present, Phillips receives an urgent call from his mother and rushes home to her side. Libby, concerned, suggests enlisting legal aid for her son, but Phillips is steadfast in his resolve to confront the situation alone. Bound by a strict NDA at Kennedy, another ER, any breach would instantly terminate his employment. Libby voices her suspicion that Danny might exploit this against Phillips, yet Phillips persuades her to refrain from action—at least temporarily.
Undeterred, Libby decides to intervene personally, storming into the hospital and confronting Cruz. She emphasizes the consensual nature of Danny and Phillips' relationship and warns that unless Cruz curbs Danny's actions, she will take matters into her own hands.
Back within the hospital walls, Danny grapples with the tragic loss of one of her patients, while Elijah's patient miraculously survives and receives the necessary treatment. Cruz, seeking solace, addresses Danny, commending her skills as a physician but cautioning that accepting the residency might complicate her life exponentially.
