Pulseis the latest fast-paced medical drama streaming on Netflix. The streaming platform has shown some ofthe best medical dramas of all time, and while only time will tell ifPulsewill be renewed, it has an interesting premise that could be explored more. Rather than focusing on the everyday events in an ER,Pulseshows medical staff in Miami dealing with a devastating natural disaster. As a hurricane approaches, the hospital goes into lockdown. The medical team must prepare to help with trauma cases caused by the damage while navigating their relationships with each other.
The cast ofPulsefeatures some very familiar faces, withReacher’s Willa Fitzgerald starring as Danielle Simms, who must work with her ex-partner, Xander, as the hurricane hits. Xander is played by Colin Woodell (The Flight Attendant,) and this central romantic drama has drawncomparisons betweenPulseand earlyGrey’s Anatomy. WhilePulse’s natural disaster angle has brought an exciting new premise to the medical genre, it has also been compared to the medical dramaThe Pitt, which is on Max and has been described as a grittier version ofER.
Pulse Is Netflix’s Intense New ER Medical Drama & It’s Very Similar To Max’s The Pitt
Fans of The Pitt May Like Pulse
Each episode ofThe Pittdocuments an hour in the life of Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, the head of the emergency department of a fictional Pittsburgh trauma hospital, as he goes about his shift.BothThe PittandPulseare fast-paced and action-packed, even while putting their central relationships at the forefront of each show.Pulse’s looming hurricane sets up a tense atmosphere that echoes the many crises featured inThe Pitt. The first few episodes ofPulseeven take place over a single day, which has led to some reviewers describingPulseas Netflix’s version ofThe Pitt.
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The Pittis often bloody and explicit and appears to take its subject matter extremely seriously. For example, Episode 12 begins a storyline during which a shooter opens fire at a music festival, which is likely to affect many viewers. On the other hand,whilePulsemay be set in a hospital with a major threat approaching, the subject matter is much lighter, and the central relationships between the characters are prioritized. Fans ofThe Pittwho would prefer to watch something slightly less believable and more light-hearted but within the same medical setting may like to watchPulsenext.
After The Pitt, Medical Dramas May Be Held To A Higher Standard
Image via Max
The Pitthas been widely praised by doctors for its accuracy, with some reviews claiming that it is the “most accurate medical series of all time.” WhenDoctor Mikereviewed the show, he described it as “too real” and praised the way it represented the structure of an ER as well as the portrayal and treatment of common injuries. This attention to realism is growing more important among fans of medical dramas, andwhilePulseis fun escapism, it has tough competition as it is far less realistic thanThe Pitt. This may affect its success in the long run.
Pulsefocuses more on drama than on accuracy, but may need to revisit its medical plotlines and writing.
The medical genre has often been criticized for its unrealistic plots, and manymedical drama tropes would never happenin real life. AfterThe Pitthas seen such success with its more realistic portrayal of ER rooms, other upcoming medical shows may be held to a higher standard.Pulsefocuses more on drama than on accuracy, but may need to revisit its medical plotlines and writing if the writers want the show to retain the same audience as that ofThe Pitt. Still,even ifPulseis not an accurate medical show, it is a fun dramawith an unusual premise.
