By the End of ’Pulse,’ Expect a Complicated Unraveling of the Netflix Medical Drama’s Central Relationship

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Netflix‘s fresh medical drama, titled “Pulse,” immerses viewers right away in the realm of Maguire Medical by presenting two significant events: a devastating hurricane and the lead character Danny (Willa Fitzgerald) having lodged a sexual harassment complaint against the show’s chief resident, Phillips (Colin Woodell).

Fitzgerald explains to The Hollywood Reporter that it’s ideal to begin this season with such high tension right away, as they’ve set the stakes at their maximum from the very start by placing us in the midst of a literal hurricane.

One aspect I deeply enjoy about this series is that as you progress from the initial episode to the finale, your perception of these characters and their journeys undergoes a profound shift,” she notes. “The character of [Danny] becomes significantly more intricate throughout the 10 episodes. It was an engaging experience to plunge her into difficult circumstances right away and then piece together how she arrived at that point.

As the narrative unfolds, Pulse’s initial season fluidly moves between present moments and flashbacks, gradually revealing the intricate relationship between Danny and Phillips. By the end of the premiere, it is disclosed that they had a romantic connection of some sort in their past.

At the start of the performance, Phillips finds himself in a mysterious situation, according to Woodell’s explanation. He further mentioned that playing his role, given the lack of complete understanding about the overall plot, presented quite a challenge for him as an actor.

In that initial instant, Phillips finds himself jobless at a place he held dear, betrayed by someone he valued deeply. On top of this sudden turn of events, a hurricane is approaching the hospital. He’s got a lot on his plate and it feels like one of those situations where misfortune just keeps piling up – as if when it rains, it really pours.

The show, which is the streamer’s initial English-language medical series, doesn’t shy away from the comparisons it may draw. “Were you a big fan of Grey’s Anatomy in your youth?” Danny, played by Fitzgerald, queries Camila, the new intern [Daniela Nieves], after she proposes that the doctors should sleep in the on-call room with bunk beds, a concept popularized by the ABC medical drama. “Make an effort to forget that.

According to Fitzgerald, my childhood was filled with watching “House”. I’m particularly fond of the initial seasons of “Grey’s Anatomy”, and I even re-watched them during the pandemic. Before we began our work, I had a truly amazing experience visiting an emergency room in California. I spent a day there, learning from an emergency doctor and the resident they were working with by shadowing them.

According to Fitzgerald, observing genuine doctors at work significantly influenced her season’s beginning. She described it as witnessing an extraordinary level of professionalism and tranquility that filled the emergency room, even amidst the most critical situations. Moreover, she emphasized the importance of maintaining a sense of authenticity in the environment where the doctors worked, as well as recognizing the impressive abilities of third-year residents.

As “Pulse” moves into its subsequent episodes, it distinguishes itself by exploring realms of space seldom depicted on-screen. According to Fitzgerald, the series maintains a sense of ambiguity throughout the whole season.

She points out, “What truly distinguishes it for me, even considering our perception of good and evil on television, is how the feelings toward Danny or Phillips evolve over time. The emotions felt towards these characters in episode one are starkly contrasted with their depiction in episode five, which is again distinct from their presentation in episode 10.

Pulse is now streaming all episodes on Netflix.

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2025-04-05 16:54