Key Points:
- Pulse, Netflix’s first English-language medical drama, premiered on April 3, 2025, and its Season 1 finale leaves major storylines unresolved.
- Dr. Danielle “Danny” Simms loses the Chief Resident position but remains at Maguire Medical Center due to Dr. Natalie Cruz’s support.
- Dr. Xander Phillips confesses his past medical mistake, risking his career, while Danny finds peace in an introspective moment at the ocean.
How Does Pulse Season 1 Build Up to the Finale?
Throughout the season, Danny Simms faces intense personal and professional turmoil. Her relationship with Dr. Xander Phillips turns contentious when she files a sexual harassment complaint, complicating her role at Maguire Medical Center. Simultaneously, she struggles to gain the respect of her colleagues and handle workplace politics, all while proving her competency as a third-year emergency medicine resident.
A major revelation comes in the penultimate episode: Xander did not leave his previous hospital, Kennedy, due to misconduct but because of a fatal medical error. Under pressure from his superiors, he performed a rushed paracentesis on a patient named Julio, accidentally nicking a vessel that led to the patient’s death. His influential parents covered up the incident with an NDA, shielding him from professional consequences.
READ MORE: 1923 Timeline Breakdown and What Season 2’s Setting Means
What Happens to Danny in the Pulse Season 1 Finale?
In Episode 10, titled “New Year, New Chief,” Danny’s fate hangs in the balance. Earlier in the season, she had pushed Glenn, a belligerent father who later returns to the ER after a devastating car accident involving his wife and baby. Despite his hostility, Danny prioritizes saving his family, displaying her professionalism under pressure.
Meanwhile, Dr. Natalie Cruz fights to keep Danny employed. However, hospital politics intervene when Dr. Patrick Sanchez is appointed as the new Head of ER, stripping Cruz of her dual role. Cruz wants Danny as Chief Resident, but Sanchez unexpectedly announces Dr. Sam Elijah, Danny’s closest friend and professional rival, for the position instead. The decision is a strategic move, sidelining Danny despite her capabilities.
Simultaneously, Xander finally confesses the truth about Julio’s death to Danny, revealing his internal guilt and the cover-up orchestrated by his mother. Inspired by Danny’s unwavering integrity, he decides to come clean to the hospital review board, risking his medical license. This moment deepens their bond, leaving their romantic future ambiguous but emotionally significant.
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What Does the Ocean Scene Mean for Danny?
The finale concludes with a symbolic moment for Danny. Overwhelmed by the season’s challenges—losing Chief Resident, her strained relationship with Xander, and the workplace power struggle—she strips off her clothes and dives into the ocean. The scene signifies a moment of release and self-reconciliation, as she smiles while swimming alone. Actress Willa Fitzgerald described this as Danny finding her best place, a rare moment of personal peace amidst career turmoil.
What Unresolved Questions Does Pulse Leave Open?
Will Danny Return in Season 2? While she loses the Chief Resident position, Danny remains at Maguire Medical Center. With an incoming emergency teased in the closing moments, her story is far from over.
What Happens to Xander? His confession to the hospital review board could cost him his medical license. His emotional closure with Danny suggests a possible redemption arc if Pulse gets renewed.
How Will Danny Navigate Her Career? Losing Chief Resident is a setback, but her talent and Dr. Cruz’s support indicate she still has a future at Maguire, even if her path remains uncertain.
Pulse is currently streaming on Netflix.
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