20 July (2017-07-20) – 7 September 2017 (2017-09-07)
Pulse is an Australian television drama series that was first screened on ABC TV on 20 July 2017 and ended after eight episodes on 7 September 2017.[1]
The series follows the story of Frankie, a high-flying financial analyst who had it all before a failing kidney landed her at death's door until a transplant offered her a second chance. Inspired by the man who saved her life, Frankie alters course to become a doctor herself, working and learning in the high stakes, high pressure world of the cardio-thoracic and renal wards of a major teaching hospital.[3]
Transplant patient and now doctor, Frankie starts her first day in Renal rotation; best friend Lou battles surgery's boys' club; and flatmate Tabb starts as an intern.
Frankie takes on the system to save a patient, and lands in trouble. Lou finds out it's not always wise to have an affair with a boss; and Tabb questions his ability as a doctor.
When a heart transplant patient dies, Frankie fears the surgeons will close ranks to cover up a medical error. Lou realises she and best friend Frankie may be on different sides.
When a patient wants to turn off the device keeping her alive Steele tries to dissuade her. Lou feels betrayed when Frankie takes on a Root Cause Analysis into a patient's death, threatening her job.
When Berger learns Frankie has a fever in the middle of a hospital outbreak, he forces her into a bed for treatment, putting her secret at risk of exposure.
Tanya is forced to tell Frankie she read her medical files - a breach of professional ethics; while Berger works with Eli Nadar to save a patient from deportation.
On the eve of an investigation into a patient's death, Frankie realises that all doctors are fallible when faced with the reality of a health system that isn't always able to cater for all.
Luke Buckmaster, writer for The Guardian, rated the series two out of five stars saying "medical dramas will probably never fall out of fashion. The genre is crowded, emphasising the need for programs with interesting and distinctive visions. Unfortunately, Pulse isn’t one of them".[20]
David Knox, writer for TV Tonight, rated the series four out of five stars praising the casting of the series and that it's "the strongest medical drama in years" saying that it holds strong against an overcrowded genre.[21]
References
^Knox, David (17 June 2017). "Gallery: Pulse". TV Tonight. Retrieved 31 July 2017.