Impulse

Sixteen-year-old Henrietta "Henry" Coles arrives in Reston, New York, shut down and wary after moving to a place where she has no allies. A violent confrontation with a classmate triggers an abrupt, uncontrollable power that shatters her sense of safety and forces sudden changes. Henry tries to keep the episode secret while dealing with physical and emotional consequences, and the people around her respond in ways that complicate life at school and home. The show mixes high-stakes action with quieter moments of character work, tracking how a teenager copes when an extraordinary ability collides with everyday obligations and painful memories, without revealing key plot twists or endings.

Impulse premiered in 2018, created by Jeffrey Lieber, John McCutcheon, and Jamie King. Maddie Hasson leads the cast, supported by Missi Pyle, Sarah Desjardins, Enuka Okuma, and Craig Arnold, giving the series a strong ensemble presence.

The series didn't become a major awards contender, and it didn't accumulate high-profile industry wins, but it earned attention from genre critics and online reviewers for strong performances and its tonal risks. Individual episodes and cast work were often singled out in year-end pieces and fan discussions, even if formal accolades were limited.

Though not a mainstream blockbuster, Impulse developed a committed online fanbase that discussed its tense set pieces and its frank approach to trauma and consequence. Scenes from the show circulated on social media among viewers who appreciated a darker, more grounded take on teen science fiction, and it helped spark conversations about how powers affect identity and responsibility.

Audience response was generally favorable, with a user vote average of 7.6 out of 10 from 289 votes. Critics and viewers tended to praise the show's emphasis on trauma, identity, isolation, and accountability, while noting occasional uneven pacing. Fans of character-driven genre TV will likely find its combination of mood, moral gray areas, and action elements worth watching.