Movies

‘Pulse’ is an ER drama with a maelstrom of emotions and entanglements

BBG News

If Max’s series “The Pitt” is about to conclude and you’re in need of another drama centered around an emergency room, Netflix has thoughtfully prepared its own ER drama, titled “Pulse,” for your viewing pleasure.

Debuting on Thursday, it delves into similar distressing themes, but it’s more like a daytime soap opera. It offers an engaging blend of steamy romantic intrigue and skillfully managed medical crises – the professional and the personal intertwined, with its youthful cast appearing remarkably energetic despite their supposed fatigue.

Developed by Zoe Robyn (“Hawaii Five-0”) along with Carlton Cuse, this series serves as its showrunner and is based in Miami’s “one and only Level 1 trauma center,” which is also known as Florida’s top surgical program and the best Level 1 trauma center in the state. Since it’s located in a region prone to hurricanes, it’s not surprising that one is heading their way, dominating the first three episodes out of ten.

Review

‘The Pitt’ offers hyperrealism, whereas ‘Doc’ leans into melodrama

As a devoted enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the distinct perspectives these shows bring to the hospital drama genre. On one side, we have “The Pitt” on Max, featuring the captivating Noah Wyle, and on the other, we’ve got “Doc” on Fox graced by the talented Molly Parker. Each series presents a unique angle to this familiar setting, making for an engaging and intriguing viewing experience.

At the heart of both the emotional whirlwind and the literal storm lies Dr. Danielle “Danny” Simms (Willa Fitzgerald), a third-year resident. She’s clearly our main character, as she’s the one who experiences flashbacks, depicted in the usual sepia tones, each preceded by a rhythmic heartbeat sound in the background. Like her friend Dr. Sam Elijah (Jessie T. Usher), Danny aspires to become chief resident when current chief resident and wealthy, annoying Dr. Xander Phillips (Colin Woodell) steps up. They’ve agreed to remain amicable regardless of who takes over the position. (No other applicants are needed.)

The situation becomes more complex due to the previously undisclosed fact that Danny accused Xander of sexual harassment. This allegation has developed subtly over time and contradicts Xander’s version of events as well as what we see in flashbacks, leaving viewers uncertain about the truth. On the other hand, despite being suspended for an investigation, Xander is reinstated to help during the storm. In a surprising turn of events, Danny takes on the role of interim chief resident at the recommendation of Dr. Natalie Cruz, who serves as the show’s Miranda Bailey character, leaving everyone puzzled.

While Xander and Danny’s storyline isn’t the only one in the series nor the most captivating, it does seem to be given a lot of attention. Over time, their unresolved personal issues can become quite repetitive, which tends to dilute the energy and chemistry that the actors bring to their performances on screen. (Their dynamic doesn’t reach the intensity of Meredith and McDreamy.)

Dr. Tom Cole, the most striking surgical resident among the show’s handsome cast, is romantically entangled with Cass Himmelstein, a savvy head nurse who always stays informed about both her professional and personal life. However, this doesn’t deter him from engaging in flirtatious banter with, or receiving such advances from, EMT worker Nia Washington.

Danny has conflicts with her second-year resident sister, Dr. Harper Simms (Jessy Yates), who also has disagreements with Danny concerning Danny’s issues with their father. This is a common theme of problematic and absent fathers in many television dramas today. Intern Sophie Chan (Chelsea Muirhead) initially finds medical student Camila Perez (Daniela Nieves) annoying, but there will be opportunities for them to get along better. Dr. Cruz expresses concern about her daughter without going into detail. Overseeing everyone is the wise senior surgeon Dr. Ruben Soriano, portrayed by Nestor Carbonell, who can be seen as the hospital’s Yoda.

Sometimes, it might not be wise to uncover the workings or origins of something, as understanding its inner workings can sometimes spoil the enjoyment of it.

In most instances, our brief interactions with medical professionals in a hospital setting will occur sporadically. A doctor or nurse might enter the room to share information, whether positive, negative, or neutral, and then swiftly exit back into the corridor. While popular hospital dramas often depict this environment as a lively, drama-filled workspace filled with power struggles, sexual tension, passive-aggressive exchanges, and intense competition among medical staff – all of which may or may not reflect real-life hospitals – it’s important to note that the supposedly captivating moments like performing surgery might be more exciting on screen than they are in reality. If the debates that unfold during surgical procedures as portrayed on such shows bear any resemblance to reality, patients should indeed feel grateful for being under anesthesia during these events.

Fundamentally, they’re individuals who show genuine concern and at times, over-concern, displaying empathy towards each other. As a doctor, Harper articulates her role not only in terms of patient care but also the responsibility she feels towards them. “I look after people,” she says, underlining her professional duty. Danny, on the other hand, constantly frets about her competence and whether she measures up to expectations, both her own and those of others.

Harper and Danny are deeply caring individuals who care for their patients and each other. While Harper is committed to her role as a doctor, Danny often worries about being good enough.

Among these people, there’s a lot of joint examination taking place. However, when a hurricane strikes, or a bus falls off a bridge, or a nightclub burns down, and the stretchers start pouring in, everyone springs into action. They effortlessly throw around medical jargon (“the Pringle maneuver” was something new to me), working diligently on hearts and emotions, without needing to explain themselves as they dive into their work.

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2025-04-03 10:31

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