PULSE
(2025)Type: tvshow
Overview: A group of ER residents navigate medical crises and personal drama amid a divisive allegation at their Miami hospital.
Language: en
Genres:
Questions
What is the plot?
Pulse, the 2025 Netflix medical drama, unfolds primarily in Miami’s Maguire Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center, at the heart of a looming hurricane that sets the tension high from the start. The story begins with Dr. Danielle “Danny” Simms, a third-year emergency medicine resident who is unexpectedly promoted to Chief Resident after the suspension of Dr. Xander Phillips, the previous chief with whom she shares a complicated secret romance.
Scene by scene, the narrative immerses us in the chaos and urgency of the hospital under lockdown as the hurricane approaches, magnifying the pressure on the staff. Early episodes open with Danny managing high-stakes trauma cases—each patient arrival escalating the intensity while simultaneously revealing Danny’s internal struggles through sepia-toned flashbacks, underscored by a pulsing heartbeat sound, drawing us deeper into her psyche.
In the opening episode “Abby,” a harrowing emergency involving a young patient sets the medical tone and Danny’s resilience is tested. In “Alone Time,” the personal tensions come to the fore, showing the strain on Danny and Xander’s secret relationship amidst professional rivalries. The storm’s power outage in “Power” mirrors the darkness enveloping their lives, amplifying conflicts among the medical staff.
As the series progresses through episodes like “Treat ‘Em and Street ‘Em” and “Nothing Personal,” personal dramas intertwine with medical emergencies—sexual harassment allegations against a superior create an ethical and emotional storm within the hospital, complicating loyalties and trust. Meanwhile, Danny wrestles with ambition, loyalty, and her sense of identity as she navigates the treacherous politics of the residency program.
Episode “Homestead” sees the hospital grappling not only with patient influx due to the hurricane but also with resource scarcity, forcing characters to make grim triage decisions. Danny’s leadership is further challenged in “Choices” and “Retreat,” where the personal toll of their grueling work becomes palpable—relationships fray, and secrets risk exposure.
The penultimate episode, “The Last Shift,” heightens dramatic tension as the hurricane hits full force, flooding the hospital and forcing an evacuation plan. Danny confronts critical decisions that will define her career and personal life. Finally, in “Kennedy,” the season’s climax, the intertwined fates of the staff are laid bare; revelations in the hospital’s corridors culminate in emotional resolutions and an ambiguous future for Danny and Xander.
Throughout the season, Danny’s arc is a visceral journey from uncertain third-year resident to conflicted but determined leader, her internal heartbeat echoing with each professional and personal trial. Xander’s fall from grace and their clandestine relationship add layers of forbidden romance and professional jeopardy, painting a turbulent portrait of ambition, loyalty, and love under pressure.
The show’s palpable atmosphere—Miami’s storm, hospital chaos, and intimate moments among the staff—makes viewers feel the pulse of tension, urgency, and emotional entanglement as if standing beside them in the trauma center's hallways.
What is the ending?
⚠ Spoiler – click to reveal
Short, Simple Narrative
At the end of Netflix’s 2025 show Pulse, Dr. Danny Simms faces a pivotal moment in both her personal and professional life. Following a tumultuous series of events at Maguire Hospital, including conflicts with a patient's family and the fallout from her relationship with Dr. Xander Phillips, Danny is unsure if she will keep her job or reconcile with Xander. Xander finally confesses the truth about his departure from his previous hospital and his mother’s involvement in a cover-up, leading to a heartfelt but uncertain conversation between them. The season ends with Danny looking toward an uncertain future, her position at the hospital hanging in the balance, and hints at unresolved personal and professional challenges should the show continue.
Expanded, Chronological Narrative of the Ending
As the finale of Pulse unfolds, the hospital remains gripped by its usual chaos, heightened by the lingering effects of a hurricane and ongoing medical emergencies. Throughout the episode, Danny Simms, third-year resident at Maguire, is under intense pressure from all sides. The episode begins with Danny confronting the aftermath of her decision to file a complaint against her mentor and former lover, Dr. Xander Phillips, for misconduct. Hospital corridors buzz with rumors, and Danny finds herself caught between hospital leadership and her own conscience.
A significant moment arises when a patient’s father, Glenn, attempts to forcibly remove his son Benny from the hospital against medical advice. Glenn becomes verbally aggressive, especially toward Danny’s sister, Dr. Harper Simms, who tries to intervene. Danny, protective of her sister and unable to tolerate Glenn’s disrespect, steps in. The confrontation escalates—Glenn is furious, and Danny, pushed to her limit, physically intervenes by pushing Glenn back, asserting herself but not causing harm. This act, however, draws the attention of hospital administrators and becomes a focal point for the hospital’s scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Xander’s personal turmoil reaches a peak. His mother, aware of Danny’s complaint and eager to protect her son’s reputation and future, exerts pressure behind the scenes to have Danny fired, using the incident with Glenn as pretext. The show details the machinations of hospital politics, highlighting how external influence and family loyalty complicate professional ethics.
As the episode builds toward its climax, Danny and Xander have a long-overdue and transparent conversation. Xander, who up until now had been evasive about his past, finally comes clean. He reveals that at his previous hospital, a botched procedure under his watch resulted in a patient’s death. More crucially, he admits that his mother orchestrated a cover-up to protect him, forcing his resignation and silencing the matter. This confession is a turning point—Xander breaks his NDA to give Danny the full truth, placing himself at risk but providing her with leverage should she need it.
The emotional weight of the confession is palpable. Danny, who throughout the season has struggled with trust, ambition, and her sense of justice, listens intently. Xander apologizes for putting her in a difficult position, both personally and professionally. Their relationship, once passionate and complex, is left in limbo—mutual understanding is reached, but no clear path forward is established.
In the closing scenes, Danny’s future at Maguire Hospital is uncertain. Hospital administrator Natalie Cruz warns Danny that her job is on the line after the altercation with Glenn. Danny must now rely on the support of her friends and colleagues. The finale subtly hints at Danny’s possible injury—perhaps from an accident while swimming, though this is left ambiguous—suggesting that if the show returns, Danny will need her network more than ever. The last images show her reflecting on her choices, the boundaries of professional loyalty, and the ever-present tension between personal integrity and institutional power.
Throughout the episode, the show does not gloss over the emotional and physical exhaustion of the characters, nor does it shy away from the complexities of workplace relationships, family influence, and the struggle to do what is right in a high-stakes environment. The ending is deliberately open, inviting viewers to ponder the lingering questions about Danny’s career, her relationships, and the ethical dilemmas that define life at Maguire Hospital.