There’s a new kid on the block, but can they hold their own against the greats? Joining the ranks of medical dramas like “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Chicago Med” and “The Resident” is a new Netflix original series.
Season one of the recently released “Pulse” follows the complicated lives of the doctors at Maguire Medical Center. At the center of it all is Danny Simms (Willa Fitzgerald), a stubborn but charming resident, working alongside her best friend, Sam Elijah (Jessie T. Usher), and younger sister, Harper (Jessy Yates).
The season opens with the staff treating victims of a bus crash as a hurricane descends upon Miami, but that won’t be the biggest storm to sweep through the ER.
Danny has reported her chief resident, Xander Phillips (Colin Woodell), for sexual harassment, resulting in his suspension. Rumors spread through the hospital like wildfire, and even those close to her cast doubt on her credibility and character, a theme that runs throughout the season.
To know and love the longest-running medical drama, “Grey’s Anatomy,” is to know the storyline of Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd.
In “Pulse,” that narrative is flipped on its head, but the similarity to “Grey’s” makes it difficult not to feel like “been there, seen that” when it comes to inappropriate hospital romances. Ultimately, the storyline adaptation here leaves a little to be desired in the originality column.
On its own, this plot point isn’t irredeemable, but as a driving force of the season, it hinders the show’s potential more than it helps. For instance, there are recurring flashbacks that reveal events throughout the year since Xander came to Maguire, serving no purpose other than to contextualize the nature of his relationship with Danny.
Overall, the fallout of Danny’s report illuminates a larger issue when it comes to sexual harassment claims. Despite knowing Xander for just a year, almost everyone, including Elijah, gives him the benefit of the doubt at some point. Hell, he’s even allowed to work while suspended during the hurricane since the hospital is short-staffed.
In what world is it okay to have a potential victim work alongside her alleged harasser like it’s a regular Tuesday?
If you’re tired of the “Grey’s” comparisons, that’s too bad. It didn’t register immediately, but after episode three, Xander oozes evil/shady Jackson Avery vibes. His parents are two of the hospital’s top donors, and he’s afraid people will assume he relies on their power for special privileges, which they wouldn’t be wrong about.
Woodell, who played an equally irritating character in season two of “Devious Maids,” perfectly embodies Xander’s ego. When Xander explodes on Danny in episode three, shaking with rage as he drops a bombshell on the entire staff about their relationship, it easily becomes one of the best scenes of the season.
On the flip side, Harper’s character might have viewers on the fence. She’s the voice of reason for all those around her, but she unfairly projects her refusal to process childhood trauma onto Danny.
Additionally, with Harper being in a wheelchair, many may wonder if the actress, Yates, also has a disability due to Hollywood’s history of casting able-bodied people in those roles.
Thankfully, “Pulse” got the representation right this time, adding an edge of credibility to Harper’s character. Her confidence, honesty and humanity highlight the unique and important perspective of how a person with a disability navigates an able-bodied world.
More than anything, it was interesting to watch Fitzgerald, known for her role in the “Scream” television series, play Danny, an uberly talented doctor who doesn’t really know what she wants. Not to mention, Danny loves doing things — and men — she knows aren’t in her best interest.
For example, let’s say you just reported your boss for sexual harassment, and not three days later, you’re meeting up with a man at a club. You wouldn’t need a dance floor, my love. You’d need therapy.
Even with the distinguished cast, this series lacks an added layer of depth. “Pulse” doesn’t go the extra mile to make people feel connected to the characters’ stories. The doctors either move from case to case too hastily, or the investment in building emotional ties isn’t as concentrated.
I can’t count too many memorable moments from this season, partly because I typically want more “medical” in my medical dramas. That doesn’t mean more medical jargon; instead, cases could feel more consequential for the doctors rather than simply a backdrop for their preexisting personal problems.
Most emotional moments, like when the intern Sophie Chan loses an elderly patient, are on the cusp of greatness but lack distinct tension and turmoil, so they don’t quite hit hard enough.
The beauty of medical dramas is the intensity of the stories of both patients and doctors. Enticing viewers to confront their mortality, acknowledge the very real pitfalls of the U.S. healthcare system or remember characters long after the episode has ended is key to maintaining interest.
Despite the questionable moments of this season, “Pulse” has a lot of heart and a lot of potential. The cast is excellent, and the characters are complex, but even the season finale is unsatisfying.
It may be unfair to judge the show so harshly against its contemporaries, and that’s a fair point. The good news is: those other medical dramas have had multiple seasons to build upon their characters and ideas, using their time wisely to develop authenticity and impact.
If “Pulse” wants to stand out and craft a compelling season two in a genre with so many greats, Netflix needs to charge the paddles to 200.
