Episode 9 of "Pulse" kicks off with Phillips reclaiming her position as Chief, albeit temporarily, while Danny reluctantly withdraws from the HR case that has stirred up a hornet's nest. Phillips' parents, incensed by the allegations, demand Danny's removal from the hospital. Dr. Cruz issues a stark warning to Danny: continued involvement could lead to her exclusion from the program entirely.
Danny confides in Harper, revealing that despite everything, her feelings for Phillips remain unchanged. She emphasizes that she never intended for Phillips to lose his job. However, Harper lays the blame squarely at Phillips' feet, citing the assault on a patient in the main lobby and the subsequent dismissal of the case, which now jeopardizes Danny's career. Elijah echoes Harper's sentiments, reminding Phillips that his actions have far-reaching consequences, impacting the entire ER staff.
Meanwhile, Vero inches closer to discharge, much to Soriano's relief. He shares the good news with Cruz, but also underscores the potential for the ongoing scandal to dismantle the hospital's fabric, even now that the case has been dropped. Soriano's recommendation: terminate Danny's employment to appease Phillips' parents and quell the storm. Cruz must act swiftly, whatever her decision may be.
The tranquility of the ER is shattered by news of a downtown club fire, sending a surge of patients their way. Cole dashes to Nia's side, preparing her mentally for the upcoming surgery. With gentle words of encouragement and their hands intertwined, a tender moment unfolds. However, Chan catches a glimpse of this intimate scene and confronts Cole afterward, challenging the complexity of their relationship. Cole reacts poorly, abruptly dismissing Chan from the surgical team and preparing to operate on Nia alongside Soriano.
During the surgery, Cole's affection for Nia causes him to hesitate, a fact not lost on Soriano. The surgery proves to be delicate and critical, prompting Soriano to step in and take the lead. Post-surgery, when breaking the news to Nia's family about her precarious condition, her mother reveals that Cole and Nia share a bond deeper than mere friendship, having entrusted them with many details about him.
In a private moment, Soriano confronts Cole, sternly reminding him that personal feelings can compromise a patient's outcome, a truth tragically demonstrated in Nia's case.
Cole storms back into the Emergency Room, determined to flex his muscle and assert his dominance, much to everyone's irritation, including Phillips, who has been sidelined from Nia's care. Later, Danny strikes up a conversation with Elijah, who unveils the bombshell that Dr. Cruz will announce the identity of the Chief Resident at tomorrow's party.
Meanwhile, Chan finds herself in a heart-to-heart with Camila, who lets slip that she's bidding farewell to the ER. Camila has witnessed firsthand the toxicity pervasive in the workplace and has no desire to be part of it anymore. Having watched nine episodes of this saga unfold, I couldn't concur more with her sentiment!
Camila also teases Chan about having a crush on Cole, hinting that this could be the reason why she tolerates his abuse with such fortitude. Chan deflects the accusation, asserting that she merely needs a thicker skin—a trait she believes Camila lacks, hence her decision to leave.
After their chat, Danny approaches Phillips, highlighting that she's teetering on the brink of getting canned. Though she acknowledges the futility of her plea, she implores him to intervene and prevent her dismissal. She desperately begs him to speak to Libby and call off the impending doom. Though Phillips admits he can't sway Libby's decision, he agrees to arm Danny with ammunition to strengthen her case. This ammunition stems from an incident at Kennedy Memorial, which he's bound by an NDA to keep confidential. Intriguingly, it transpires that Phillips was involved in a fatality, the specifics of which will be unveiled in the season finale!
