The first season of 'Pulse' concluded by unveiling the truth regarding Xander’s history, yet his connection with Danny remains an enigma.
The drama continues non-stop Pulse .
Until the last episode of the season, the personnel at Maguire Medical Center in Miami encounter an unending series of crises—both occupational and private. The Netflix medical drama centers mainly around third-year resident Dr. Danny Simms, portrayed by Willa Fitzgerald , and her contentious relationship with her advisor, head resident Dr. Xander Phillips, portrayed by Colin Woodell .
However, this isn't your usual office affair. Just as Danny aims for significant advancement in her career, rumors regarding Xander’s standing among his female coworkers start surfacing. This all unfolds amidst the chaos of providing care during a devastating hurricane.
Although many aspects of Xander’s background come to light during the inaugural season of the hospital series, the conclusion casts doubt over both his prospective path with Danny and his professional journey at Maguire Medical Center.
Here’s all you need to know about the first season of Pulse concluded and what stance these two doctors take.
Warning: Pulse season 1 spoilers ahead!
How did Pulse end?
Following nine gripping episodes where viewers witnessed the Maguire doctors endure leadership upheavals, life-threatening crises, and even a hurricane, the concluding episode does not disappoint with equal intensity.
In episode 10, Danny files an HR complaint against Xander. The whispers about his dismissal from his previous hospital due to allegations of sexual misconduct cause her to see him differently. Now, she worries that he might have exploited their mentoring relationship to pressure her into a romantic involvement.
Danny also questions whether he was safeguarding himself by not reporting their relationship to HR, thus potentially undermining her aspirations to achieve the position of chief resident after deciding he wanted to make things public.
“Woodell pointed out the intricacy of their relationship and the sincere affection between them,” he said. Tudum In April 2025, the on-screen relationship gradually unfolds through flashbacks across the series. "However, you must have noticed how complicated and entirely misconstrued everything became, alongside their individual imperfections."
What was the reason for Xander leaving Kennedy Hospital?
The details regarding Xander’s sudden departure from his previous hospital are concealed for the entirety of the show’s first season. Pulse However, by episode 10, viewers discover that he didn't depart due to an improper workplace interaction, as was widely speculated, but because he inadvertently caused the death of a pediatric patient during a medical operation.
Xander's affluent parents used nondisclosure agreements to cover up the incident and sent him off to a different medical facility. Pulse Zoe Robyn, the creator and co-showrunner, revealed to Tudum that the concept of Xander’s "secret shame" was intentionally designed to be "unlike what audiences might anticipate."
Woodell mentioned that he consulted with actual doctors to prepare for his part. He felt that the ending—which showcased how Xander’s critical error stemmed from being pressured by his supervisor to "treat patients out in the field" more often—mirrored the genuine stresses associated with their profession.
Following that episode, you witnessed the emotional involvement that can occur with a patient—the depth of feeling when something unfortunate happens to them," the actor explained to Tudum. "Most likely, these emotions will be suppressed, correct? While Xander could simply opt for a fresh start, changing hospitals and meeting entirely new people, this sense of guilt remains quite genuine and reveals itself through various manifestations.
What is the status of Danny and Xander?
By the conclusion of season one, Danny and Xander’s relationship has ended. Despite Xander admitting the real reason behind his departure from his previous hospital and acknowledging that his romantic feelings for Danny made her uneasy, Woodell mentioned that both individuals still have "a lot of personal growth ahead."
“Their aim is to become ideal teammates for one another," the actor shared with Tudum. "However, they must individually resolve certain issues before they can truly be ready for a partnership."
Co-showrunner Carlton Cuse concurred and contended that Xander’s new position as an attending physician might complicate their romantic involvement further. He explained to Tudum, "While Danny remains a resident, Xander has become her supervisor once again but in a distinct capacity... We aim for viewers to genuinely root for this couple and deeply care about how they navigate their connection."
What happened to Danny?
At the end of season one, Danny pulls back her human resources complaint against Xander and embraces the evolving dynamic between them. She subsequently goes to the seaside alone for a swim—an endeavor challenging for Fitzgerald due to her fear of water.
I often jest that whatever genuinely terrifies me, if required to perform it on-camera, I would," the actress shared with Tudum. "The scene serves as a lovely, poetic relief for Danny following immense tension.
Is there going to be a second season? Pulse ?
Although the conclusion certainly paves the way for additional Maguire storylines, Netflix hasn't announced whether it will renew Pulse for a second season.
The entire first season, consisting of all 10 episodes, can be streamed online. Netflix .
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