Pulse Episode 9 and 10 Recap: The Last Shift and Kennedy

The final two episodes of Zoe Robyn’s Netflix medical drama series ‘Pulse,’ titled ‘The Last Shift’ and ‘Kennedy,’ respectively, deliver nothing but catharsis. As the true reason behind Xander Phillips’ departure from Kennedy Memorial General Hospital comes to light, his relationship with Danny Simms finds new depth and resurgence. Meanwhile, Tom Cole’s professional and personal life spiral into greater complexity, leading him toward a compelling journey of redemption. At the same time, the heartfelt bond between Camila Perez and Sophie Chan becomes even more endearing, making the show’s path to its deeply satisfying conclusion all the more rewarding! SPOILERS AHEAD.

Phillips Reveals What Happened at Kennedy

After the events in the eighth episode, Danny is consumed by fear—her career at Maguire Medical Center hangs by a thread. Having retracted her sexual harassment accusation against Phillips, she now faces an uncertain future. With no promising path ahead, she makes a desperate choice: she turns to the very man who hurt her. She asks Phillips to use his influence, specifically through his mother, a highly respected donor of the medical establishment, to prevent her from being fired. As their conversation unfolds, the hospital is thrown into chaos—a sudden emergency demands their attention. Instinctively, both rush toward the incoming patients.

Amid this urgency, Phillips turns to Danny with a cryptic promise: he will give her the ammunition she needs to stop her termination. Confused, Danny barely has time to process his words before he drops another bombshell—something did happen while he was at Kennedy, something his wealthy and powerful parents buried for him. He tells Danny to confront them and use the truth as leverage: if they fire her, she will go to the press. She is reeling, but nothing could prepare her for what comes next. As they approach the helicopter carrying a patient, he looks her in the eye and confesses: “I killed someone.”

The weight of Phillips’ words nearly stops Danny in her tracks. Later, he reveals the complete truth. Julio, a 20-year-old patient, came to him at Kennedy, suffering from a severely bloated stomach due to an underlying condition. The ER was overwhelmed then, and Phillips had no time to spare. He performed a procedure with the approval of Lucy Broussard, hoping to save Julio. However, his haste proved fatal, as Julio didn’t make it. A flashback sequence shows the haunting moment—Phillips, overwhelmed, making the wrong call. The weight of his mistake followed him, but before he could come clean, he was silenced because of an NDA.

Phillips couldn’t risk speaking out,  and he couldn’t face the consequences of his actions. In the process, he destroyed Danny’s career as well. For the first time, he faces her with raw sincerity. He apologizes deeply and cathartically. The doctor acknowledges what he has done—not just to Julio but to Danny as well. Then, in a moment of heartbreaking vulnerability, he tells her he loves her. Danny, still grappling with the weight of everything, looks at him and says the same back. But she refuses to use his confession as a weapon. Instead, she makes a choice—let them fire her. She tells Phillips that when he is no longer her boss and when the power imbalance between them is gone, maybe then they can start fresh.

Cole’s Future Becomes Uncertain After Soriano Learns About His Relationship With Nia

While Phillips and Danny find catharsis in their relationship, Tom Cole’s life takes a downward spiral. His already strained relationship with Cass Himmelstein reaches a breaking point, but the real storm brews when Nia Washington, the patient he secretly harbored feelings for, falls into a critical condition. Desperate to save her, he joins Dr. Soriano in surgery, but his emotions cloud his judgment, affecting his performance in the operating room. The situation escalates when Nia’s parents arrive at Maguire, revealing that she has confided in them about her connection with Cole. This revelation stuns Dr. Soriano, his trusted mentor, who turns on him, condemning his unethical entanglement with a patient.

Soriano’s furious outburst not only tarnishes Cole’s reputation but also puts his entire career in jeopardy. By the final episode, the surgeon’s carefully constructed ego is in ruins. A man who once took pride in his authority now crumbles under the weight of his actions. His behavior towards the intern Sophie Chan—whom he has consistently tormented—takes an unexpected turn. In a rare moment of self-awareness, he alters both of their shifts to spare her from enduring his toxicity any longer. As the series reaches its climax, Cole faces an uncertain future. With Nia’s life hanging by a thread, he paints a bleak picture of what’s to come: if she dies, her family will sue him. If she survives, they’ll still press charges against him. No matter the outcome, his days at Maguire seem numbered.

Camila and Sophie’s Companionship Reveals Unexplored Feelings

At the beginning of the ninth episode, Sophie is elated—her internship is nearing its end, and she finally gets the opportunity to assist Dr. Soriano in surgery, a milestone she has eagerly waited for. However, her joy is short-lived when she learns that her closest friend in the hospital, Camila, is planning to leave Maguire. Shocked, Sophie confronts her, demanding to know why. Camila, exhausted and disillusioned, admits that she can no longer tolerate the toxic environment in the medical establishment, particularly citing the constant humiliation Sophie endures from Cole, as she doesn’t want the same for herself.

Sophie tries to reason with Camila, insisting that Maguire is the top medical facility in Miami and that no matter where she goes, she’ll likely encounter a similar culture. But Camila remains firm in her decision—she refuses to continue sacrificing her self-respect. Later, fate intervenes. While sharing an elevator ride with the department head, Natalie Cruz, Camila is reminded of her importance at the hospital. Natalie, known for her keen eye for talent, clarifies that Camila’s presence is valued, perhaps more than she realizes. This moment of recognition shifts something within the third-year student, leading her to reconsider her choice. When she shares her change of heart with Sophie, she is thrilled—if only for a fleeting moment.

Sophie’s joy is soon overshadowed when Camila’s fiancé, Rodrigo, unexpectedly arrives at the hospital. The moment she learns about him, her expression subtly shifts. There’s something unreadable in her eyes—disappointment? Jealousy? A realization she hadn’t confronted before? It leaves us questioning: is her bond with Camila truly just friendship, or is there something romantic beneath the surface?

Elijah Becomes the New Chief Resident Over Danny

Following the sexual harassment case against Phillps by Danny, the ensuing chaos, and later on, its withdrawal, the hospital’s management presents Natalie Cruz with two difficult choices: fire Danny or relinquish her position to Patrick Sanchez. With a heavy heart, she chooses the former. At a celebratory gathering, she makes a game-changing announcement: the ER and surgical departments will now operate separately. She will take charge of the surgical division, while Patrick will assume leadership of the ER department. As the atmosphere buzzes with speculation, Natalie invites Patrick to the stage to reveal the new chief resident. Because of the chief of surgery’s decision to appoint Danny as the new chief resident, everyone expects the new head to announce her selection.

However, in a shocking turn of events, Patrick announces that Sam Elijah is the new chief resident at Maguire, leaving many in shock. For Elijah, who has long dreamed of ascending to this role, the moment is nothing short of euphoric. His triumph is written across his face as his years of dedication finally pay off. Danny, despite being overlooked for the position, feels an overwhelming sense of peace. The weight of uncertainty has lifted—she can continue at Maguire, which alone brings her solace. Natalie quickly clarifies that she had no prior knowledge of Patrick’s decision, but to her relief, Danny is unbothered.

After this revelation, Phillips approaches Danny for a final conversation. With an air of quiet resolve, he tells her that he has disclosed the truth about what happened at Kennedy to the hospital authorities. The revelation leaves her momentarily speechless. Yet, to her surprise, he assures her that he no longer cares about the repercussions—his only concern is her happiness. Though the future of their relationship remains uncertain, in that fleeting moment, Danny experiences an unparalleled sense of liberation. Overcome with emotion, she runs towards the ocean, diving into the waves with abandon, shedding the burdens of her past and embracing the unknown.

Meanwhile, the scene shifts back to Maguire Medical Center, where Elijah assumes his new role as the chief resident. The impending arrival of new patients from an accident at a beach at the trauma center signals that the hospital’s relentless rhythm continues. The show ends on a poignant note, reinforcing the idea that while individuals come and go, the battle for life and healing within Maguire’s walls will never cease.

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