When “Power,” Episode 3 of Pulse, opens, Miami’s skyline is still reeling from the hurricane’s wrath—but it’s what’s happening inside the walls of Maguire Medical Center that leaves viewers breathless.
This is the hour where the title becomes literal. Backup power is dwindling. Hallways are dark. Elevators are down. The ER is on edge. And at the center of it all is Dr. Natalie Cruz (Justina Machado), attempting to balance the practical with the ethical as she makes gut-wrenching calls that could define her leadership.
Where many medical dramas slow down after a big disaster, Pulse accelerates. This isn’t an episode about aftermath—it’s about the raw, unstable middle. And that decision makes Episode 3 its most compelling chapter yet.
The Stakes Are Palpable
There’s a moment about 12 minutes in where Dr. Cruz, sleeves rolled up, leans against a generator control panel and mutters, “We’re burning daylight… and diesel.” It’s not just a line—it’s a thesis. Everything in this episode revolves around resources: fuel, time, patience.
When Cruz and her right-hand, Chief Tech Officer Marcus Bell (a wonderfully grounded Darien Sills-Evans), realize they have 45 minutes of power left, we feel it. The camera work changes—tight shots, flickering lights, more hand-held footage. The tension isn’t told; it’s built.
Sophie and Camila Steal the Show
If Cruz is the brain of this episode, Sophie Chan (Chelsea Muirhead) and Camila Perez (Daniela Nieves) are its heart. Their subplot—sneaking down a flooded stairwell to ventilate an ICU patient manually after the generator shuts down—should be cliché. But it isn’t. It’s exhilarating.
Their chemistry, their panic, and the sheer determination they show earns them the spotlight. Sophie, always the idealist, pushes Camila to go rogue—and it’s Camila, the realist, who keeps them both alive. When they burst back into the upper levels, soaked and shaking, they’re not just two residents anymore. They’re survivors.
Crisis Reveals Character
Episode 3 smartly balances adrenaline with introspection. We learn more about Dr. Cruz’s past—her regrets after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico—and why she refuses to evacuate too early. Flashbacks are used sparingly but to great emotional effect. We also see nurse Aria (Megan Suri) step up in unexpected ways, using a flashlight and a chalkboard to coordinate a complex triage rotation.
This episode is where leadership begins to fracture. Dr. Xander Phillips (Colin Woodell), whose calm in Episode 1 was magnetic, begins to show cracks. His disagreement with Cruz over whether to prioritize the pediatric ICU or the burn ward is gut-wrenching. And for the first time, his charm doesn’t shield him from judgment.
Verdict: Must-Watch Episode
“Power” is peak Pulse. It shows what this series can do when it blends real-world stakes with fictional finesse. Every choice feels heavy, every heartbeat counts. It’s not just a good episode—it’s the one that proves Pulse deserves to be in the top tier of medical dramas.
