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[Cover Picture by Netflix]
Netflix's Pulse Season 1 Ending Recap: Secrets, Survival & What Comes Next
Netflix’s 2025 medical drama Pulse closes its first season with everything from workplace politics to personal heartbreak—and just enough open ends to spark a hundred Reddit threads. The show might’ve started as a conventional hospital drama, but by the time we hit that bittersweet finale, it’s clear: Pulse is much more than scrubs and surgeries. It’s about ambition, identity, and the impossible lines we walk between ethics, emotion, and survival.
So, with major spoilers ahead, let’s unpack what actually happened in that gut-punch of a final episode—and what it all might mean for Season 2.
Is Dany Fired from Maguire Hospital?
Dany Sims, the brilliant yet emotionally raw resident doctor at the heart of Pulse, lands in serious trouble during the finale. After a tense altercation with the aggressive father of a young patient, she pushes him in a moment of instinctual defense. It wasn’t an assault—it was a reaction, a protective impulse. But at Maguire Hospital, any physical contact with a patient's family is a massive violation of protocol. That moment of human weakness gives the hospital board the perfect excuse to do what they’ve wanted all along: get rid of Dany.
The real push behind her potential firing isn’t the shove—it’s politics. Xander’s mother, Libby Phillips, a powerful hospital donor, wants Dany gone. Her motive? To bury the past allegations against her son before more secrets come to light. Natalie Cruz, Dany’s mentor and head of department, warns her that termination is likely—but not because she agrees with it.
In a surprising and touching twist, Natalie reveals that she never planned to fire Dany. The warning was to toughen her up and prepare her to fight back. Natalie stands firm against the board’s pressure, showing her true integrity. Dany gets to stay—for now. But the threat still lingers.
What Did Xander Actually Do at His Last Hospital?
Xander Phillips has carried a heavy cloud over his head throughout Season 1, as rumors swirled around his departure from Kennedy Hospital. Whispers of sexual harassment and misconduct were never confirmed, but they clung to him like a shadow. It’s only in the final episode that the truth is laid bare—and it’s far more tragic and complex than anyone expected.
At Kennedy, Xander had become close with a young patient named Julio, who suffered from chronic gastrointestinal issues. Pressured by Julio’s mother and tight scheduling, Xander agreed to perform a last-minute procedure to ease the teen’s pain before he left for college. Under pressure and rushed by senior Dr. Lucy Brousard, he skipped a critical ultrasound scan—something she even encouraged. The operation appeared successful at first, but Julio collapsed hours later and tragically died due to internal complications caused by the rushed procedure.
Rather than letting the scandal ruin Xander’s future, his wealthy and well-connected parents buried the incident under a non-disclosure agreement. He was quietly fired, but the public never knew why. When Dany is nearly fired herself, Xander finally breaks the silence and confesses everything to her—seeking redemption and trying to right the wrongs that have defined him. But breaking the NDA could come with consequences of its own.
Does Dany Become Chief Resident?
She should have. She earned it. She deserved it.
Natalie Cruz had chosen Dany to be the next Chief Resident, recognizing her skill, compassion, and leadership. But in a classic hospital-drama power move, new emergency medicine chair Dr. Patrick Sanchez pulls rank and announces Sam Elijah for the title instead.
It's not about merit—it’s about control. Sanchez is here to rattle cages, and Dany's survival at Maguire was a direct defiance of the board’s wishes. So, he hits back where it hurts: by taking away her promotion. It’s petty, political, and painfully realistic.
Still, Dany’s grace in accepting the decision (and Sam’s genuine kindness) shows growth. But you know this rivalry’s only getting started.
That Cliffhanger: Who's in the Speedboat Crash?
The final scene gives us a moment of calm. Dany is seen letting go, swimming in the sea, trying to escape the chaos around her. But then, the call comes in—there’s been a speedboat accident. Multiple injuries. People are being rushed to the ER.
We don’t see Dany again.
The implication? She could be one of the victims. The doctor may now become the patient, and if Season 2 gets greenlit (which… come on, Netflix), we’re likely going to see Dany fighting for her life—physically and emotionally—all over again.
Will There Be a Pulse Season 2?
Netflix hasn’t confirmed a renewal yet, but Pulse ends in a way that’s practically begging for a second season. Between Patrick’s power play, Xander’s confession, Sam’s growing feelings for Dany, and that boat crash… there’s more than enough fuel to keep this story going.
Expect more battles between Natalie and the board. Expect Xander’s past to come knocking, legally or emotionally. And expect Dany to finally step into her own power—even if she has to bleed for it first.
Pulse is the kind of show that sneaks up on you. It starts with scalpels and stethoscopes but evolves into something deeply personal. It’s messy, emotionally raw, and totally binge-worthy. And if you made it to the end without yelling at your screen at least once, you’re stronger than we are.
Whether Dany makes it back to work, whether Xander redeems himself, and whether Patrick gets what’s coming—we’re all in for another round. We just hope Netflix hits that renewal button.
🩺 Stay tuned for more high-stakes drama breakdowns here at Land of Geek Magazine!
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