Spoiler-Free Review of “PULSE” on Netflix: Soapy Version of The Pitt Has Its Moments

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Let’s get through this day…”

PULSE premiered on Netflix on April 3rd 2025 with all ten episodes available to stream now. The medical drama series stars Willa Fitzgerald, Colin Woodell, Jack Bannon, Jessie T. Usher, Jessica Rothe, Néstor Carbonell, and Justina Machado. Each episode runs for approximately 45-48 minutes.

In the middle of a dangerous hurricane in Florida, a hospital team works together to handle every emergency thrown their way, but tensions flare when a doctor is forced to work side by side with someone she just accused of sexual harassment.

Here is the trailer:

PULSE is a essentially a mix of The Pitt and Grey’s Anatomy, trying to find the balance between tense life-threatening moments and juicy drama. Is it worthy of YOUR next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Netflix

A cast to be excited about!

I was about to give this one a pass because medical dramas aren’t really my thing with a few exceptions, but the cast drew me in. The show is produced by LOST’s Carlton Cuse and we even have LOST alum Néstor Carbonell starring in the series.

That’s already enough for me, but then we have the talented Willa Fitzgerald, the underused Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day), and the always fantastic Justina Machado.

Everyone plays their parts well, but some deserved a little more screen time to shine. Either way, this is a worthy and talented cast.

Images courtesy of Netflix

Some adrenaline-filled moments.

I thought that the first half of this series was a lot stronger than the second half. While not nearly as exciting and intense as The Pitt, there were some moments that held my attention and had me on the edge of my seat. Just manage your expectations accordingly…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Netflix

Rushed flashbacks and time jumps that felt forced.

Honestly, they took away from the core plot for me. I get that they were trying to make us care about the characters, but the layers revealed felt soapy and superficial, glossing over any real moments of understanding and growth.

Starts out as one show and then quickly  becomes another.

I was really confused by this. At first, this series tried to be like The Pitt with its approach and there were a lot of similarities, but then it named dropped Grey’s Anatomy and quickly became a cheaper version of that show, focusing more on the soapy side of things.

This show clearly tried to channel what makes both shows great for their target audiences by mashing these genres together, but it failed to capture a real sense of intensity and grit, making it seem like a desperate imitation at times, which was disappointing.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Netflix

I’m in about 75 percent…

PULSE is a medical drama by the numbers despite having a talented and recognizable cast.

This series is more of a popcorn watch, but it does have some glimmers of potential. If you’re looking for a consuming medical drama, I’d recommend watching The Pitt instead, however.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on PULSE in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!

Spoiler-Free Review of “Dexter: New Blood” on Showtime: The Dark Passenger Returns

*This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!*

“Tonight’s the night…”

Dexter: New Blood premiered on November 7th 2021. After the series finale in 2013, the show is back with ten new episodes that will air weekly. The show stars Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Jones and Jack Alcott. Each episode runs for approximately 52-55 minutes.

Ten years have passed since Dexter Morgan left his home in Miami, as he starts over as Jim Lindsay in upstate New York.

Here is the trailer:

Dexter: New Blood gives fans another chance to connect with their favorite serial killer as a different kind of monster emerges in a new setting. Does Dexter: New Blood do enough to make up for its disappointing series finale? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Showtime

Michael C. Hall is as brilliant as ever.

Even though it’s been quite a long time since we have last seen Dexter Morgan on the small screen, Michael C. Hall makes us feel right at home. His portrayal of Dexter Morgan is still spot on to the point that you think he has truly been starting over his new life for the last ten years.

The voice-over narration still works and we now get a new dead relative for Dexter to bounce ideas off with which was a welcomed presence.

The potential to make things right.

Dexter is one of my favorite series of all time but I was thoroughly disappointed with the series finale. The new series can really set things right for our favorite character, but it needs to make sure it is balancing familiar connections and premises with something new and unique to keep things fresh. So far there is a lot of potential in the new series with different characters and a new mystery to keep us invested, but it needs to be careful about recycling old plots…

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Showtime

What’s really new with Dexter?

Sure, we have a brand new setting and new characters, but the plot seems all too familiar. I’m not really complaining because I love this plot, but the show needs to be very careful with how it proceeds.

There is a lot of talk about “change,” but so far the struggle seems all too familiar. We have nine more episodes to go so I’m hoping to truly see a change in our favorite character so that things can resolve in a satisfying way, but I’m also looking for something new and bold to shake things up. 

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Showtime

I’m in!

I have been anxiously waiting for this series to arrive and so far I am completely invested. It’s so great to see Michael C. Hall on the screen again and I’m confident that the series will present us with a worthy ending this time around!

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Dexter: New Blood in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

This competition is killer…

When former friends, Shay and Adriana team up to participate in a Halloween scavenger hunt with a cash prize, they temporarily put their differences aside to outsmart their opponents. However, they soon start to realize that a dangerous threat is playing their own version of the game, stalking them during each hunt.

Winning is now a necessity as their lives are at stake. As old wounds and memories re-surface, Shay and Adriana attempt to unmask the threat before the night is over, but soon learn that Scream Hunt is not done with them just yet…

My new young adult horror thriller is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Scream Hunt is available here!

**If you enjoyed this blog, I would love it if you would click the follow button on your way out to subscribe.  Thanks for your support!