‘Scrubs’ 10 Best Episodes, Ranked
The doorways of Sacred Heart could have completely closed again in 2010, however for followers of the sitcom Scrubs, the dysfunctional hospital will all the time be their first selection for care. The chemistry of the solid, the cleverness of the writing, and a visible fashion distinctive for its time have allowed the comedy to stay on for brand spanking new viewers discovering it on streaming.
Over 9 seasons (or eight, relying on particular person judgment for the final season), Scrubs continued to innovate what a sitcom was able to with distinctive storytelling, pathos, and hilariously memorable performances. While there are quite a few examples of Scrubs working at prime kind, the next episodes exemplify what made the sitcom particular to so many.
10 “My Last Words”
Season 8, Episode 2
J.D. (Zach Braff) and Turk (Donald Faison) droop a long-standing custom of “Steak Night” once they study a dying affected person, George (Glynn Turman), is not going to have anybody at his bedside for his ultimate moments. George is initially resistant however opens up as the 2 docs get settled in his room. What follows is a dialogue about demise, the concern of it, and the consolation acquired from having a sort face shut by on the finish.
There had been many episodes about demise by the point season eight premiered, however they often got here with increased stakes or a last-minute judgment name to avoid wasting the day. Instead, this was a quiet and calm dialog between three males at two very completely different factors of their lives. Turman offers an incredible efficiency and Braff and Faison do a few of their greatest work with sincere, understated efforts. An absolute must-watch episode of the sequence.
9 “My Cake”
Season 4, Episode 6
The second J.D. opens up the door to see his brother Dan (Tom Cavanagh), he is aware of one thing dangerous has occurred. His instincts are appropriate as a result of Dan tells J.D. their dad Sam (John Ritter) has died. J.D. internalizes his grief whereas Dan refuses to go away the tub and an instigated Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) punches him within the face. Eventually, Cox rallies Dan and so they each sit with J.D., providing consolation in the way in which they understand how – whereas watching school soccer.
The episode served as a memorial for Ritter, who had beforehand visitor starred as J.D.’s dad within the season one episode “My Old Man.” McGinley does nice work as Cox lets his guard right down to be emotionally out there for J.D. and Cavanagh has some humorous bits as he slowly pickles in chilly tub water. It’s a busy episode, as viewers see Turk study of a Type 2 Diabetes analysis and there’s a enjoyable subplot the place the janitor (Neil Flynn) makes an attempt to gaslight Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins) about his reminiscence till it backfires right into a uncommon loss for the custodian.
8 “My Lunch”
Season 5, Episode 20
J.D. stalks Cox right into a lunch date when the 2 run into Jill (Nicole Sullivan), a affected person they’ve handled recurrently and want to keep away from due to her grating character. Back on the hospital, three separate sufferers require organ transplants to outlive, and with none out there, the workers do their greatest to maintain everybody steady whereas they wait. When Jill arrives on the hospital from an obvious overdose, J.D. feels guilt for not serving to when he may. The silver lining of the tragedy is Jill’s organs can go to the sufferers in want, however sadly, Jill’s precise reason behind demise is revealed, resulting in disastrous outcomes.
“My Lunch” most likely holds a report for essentially the most plot twists in a 22-minute runtime. Although a gifted comedic actor, McGinley minimize his enamel on dramatic roles in Oliver Stone films like Talk Radio and Platoon, and he was capable of flex completely different muscle tissues when the transplants have been revealed to be tainted. By season 5 it wasn’t out of the query for an episode of Scrubs to finish on a downbeat be aware, however the abruptness of the affected person’s destiny and Cox’s despondent look as he walked away from the ICU left viewers uncertain of what to anticipate in subsequent week’s episode.
7 “My Way Home”
Season 5, Episode 7
A break day for J.D. appears suspiciously like one other day of labor when he’s unable to flee Sacred Heart. The whole episode contains references to The Wizard of Oz, with the themes of the movie woven all through. Turk wants a “heart” when he makes an attempt to persuade a household to take their son off life assist for a coronary heart transplant, Elliot (Sarah Chalke) wants “a brain” when her claims as an endocrinologist skilled place her right into a speech she’s not ready for, and Carla (Judy Reyes) seeks “courage” when she’s uncertain of her functionality as a dad or mum.
Braff directed “My Way Home,” taking pictures the episode in vibrant colours to pay tribute to the technicolor look of Oz. The references are relentless however intelligent, and it’s a standout episode in a season that has continued the development of being much less grounded in actuality. The sitcom by no means stopped taking large swings at visible comedy, and when an episode akin to this one comes collectively in a neatly crafted package deal, it’s simpler to disregard a few of the misses that occurred alongside the way in which.
6 “My ABC’s”
Season 8, Episode 5
Sesame Street visits Sacred Heart when the Muppet characters invade J.D.’s fantasies. Meanwhile, in actuality, a new crop of interns supplies a hard forecast for the long run when their attitudes don’t match up with the expectations of J.D. and crew. For J.D., his intern Denise (Eliza Coupe) lacks empathy when coping with the distraught spouse of a most cancers affected person, whereas Elliot’s intern Katie (Betsy Beutler) is discovered to be manipulating the workers for preferential remedy. By the episode’s finish, the outdated guard appears on at their interns leaving, noting, “It’s going to be a protracted 12 months.”
“My ABC’s” is an attention-grabbing episode in that it ends on a decidedly darker tone. The imagery of The Muppets is neatly used as brighter moments of levity contrasting in opposition to the morose story of a dying father that may’t be saved. Season 8 was the primary season that Scrubs ran on ABC after the sitcom had left NBC, and the standard of the writing appears refreshed with new instructions to discover. The introduction of the interns as foils to J.D. and Elliot reframes the mainstay leads into roles of mentors, enormously benefiting the present’s ultimate run.
5 “My Old Lady”
Season 1, Episode 4
J.D. is dealt his first main curveball at Sacred Heart when his new affected person tells him she doesn’t elect to obtain dialysis, and she or he’s ready to die. As J.D. tries to record compelling causes to stay, Turk learns the significance of attending to know his sufferers and Carla and Elliot battle to search out widespread floor whereas giving care. When every physician’s affected person worsens, the younger residents are pressured to just accept that demise is unavoidable of their chosen occupation.
The most underdeveloped relationship, particularly at this early level within the present’s run, is between Carla and Elliot, and “My Old Lady” offers them a much-needed likelihood to discover their variations. The interwoven storyline following J.D., Turk, and Elliot as they care for his or her doomed sufferers is well-balanced and manages to one way or the other slot in important character growth for the core trio. The demise of a affected person had been touched on within the pilot, however “My Old Lady” was the fourth episode within the sequence and the primary to showcase Scrubs as not solely an efficient comedy however an impactful drama as properly.
4 “My Screwup”
Season 3, Episode 14
Jordan’s (Christa Miller) brother and Cox’s greatest pal, Ben (Brendan Fraser), returns to city for a giant event. Jordan and Cox’s son, Jack, is celebrating his birthday, however Cox is extra involved with Ben’s leukemia analysis, which has been in remission. A demise on the hospital has Cox livid with J.D. and refusing to go away the hospital till Ben convinces him to go to Jack’s party. What follows is arguably the most important twist within the historical past of Scrubs and a heartbreaker for the workers at Sacred Heart.
Fraser was a welcome visitor star on Scrubs and his relaxed appeal and quick-witted line supply made him slot in completely with the solid. Hopes have been dashed for Fraser’s future involvement with the sitcom after this episode, however he left a long-lasting impression with solely three complete appearances. There’s one other subplot about Turk getting his mole eliminated, however that will get utterly overshadowed by one of many saddest tales that was as ingenious because it was surprising.
3 “My First Day”
Season 1, Episode 1
The episode that began all of it kicks off as J.D. and his greatest pal Turk start their medical internships at Sacred Heart. J.D. shortly finds himself in over his head and uncertain of whom to depend on when Turk seemingly adapts to his new environment with ease. A quick flirtation with Elliot doesn’t go as deliberate when she leaves J.D. out to dry throughout medical rounds, and appearances might be deceiving when J.D. makes snap judgments about Cox and Kelso. By the top of the episode, J.D. loses his first affected person, however he’s gained sufficient knowledge to take it in stride. Oh, and there’s that penny…
It’s outstanding how instantaneous the chemistry was for Braff and Faison – the 2 have a pure forwards and backwards that legitimizes their backstory of being longtime associates. The plot strikes quickly sufficient to permit the central characters sufficient display time, every having a second to outline their character. It’s an total grittier episode than what the present would turn out to be because the hospital appears particularly in disrepair. The drawback can be solved when manufacturing moved to its largely everlasting location in North Hollywood. Still, it is attention-grabbing to think about a Scrubs the place the hospital is actually falling aside round them.
2 “My Nightingale”
Season 2, Episode 2
The security nets got here down when J.D., Turk and Elliot work their first night time on name as residents. Cox would relatively be working, however as an alternative he’s explaining to Kelso why he doesn’t need to introduce him at an awards banquet. While the younger residents tackle their greatest problem, Cox has to find out which is extra vital, his delight, or his emotions for Jordan. Thankfully, Ted’s (Sam Lloyd) band is there to sing tv present theme songs to calm the temper.
“My Nightingale” is an ideal instance of what made Scrubs nice within the early seasons. The three residents study to be higher docs whereas counting on each other in moments of disaster, whereas Cox stays his personal worst enemy within the face of getting what he so desperately needs. The smart move was made to pivot Cox’s love curiosity away from the Carla and Turk love triangle and onto his ex-wife, Jordan. McGinley and Miller have a dynamic rapport and the storyline of Cox pursuing Carla didn’t work within the scope of the present, nor was it doing favors for the likability of Cox.
1 “My Finale”
Season 8, Episodes 18 & 19
It’s J.D.’s final day at Sacred Heart, and he does his greatest to cover disappointment that nobody appears to note or care. As he walks down the halls one final time, J.D. thinks of the individuals who have touched his life over the past eight years and says an appreciative goodbye to them. In his final moments, J.D. imagines a future stuffed with love, hope, and a promise of a protracted life with the household he’s made.
For many, that is the true sequence finale to Scrubs, and basically it’s, serving as the ultimate web page of J.D.’s story. It’s a sequence finale designed by a era raised on heartfelt finales – a selected age group that believes each exit comes with fanfare. The episode is conscious of the trope and pokes it appropriately, nevertheless it additionally doesn’t cheat the followers who stayed with the present over a number of years and two completely different networks. It’s typically onerous to satisfy that fan expectation with a satisfying conclusion, however when J.D. fantasizes about elevating his youngsters alongside Turk’s, when he sees the marriage to Elliot that will or not occur, and when he sees a continued friendship with mentor Cox, it feels the viewer with hope. And although they received’t be capable of proceed the journey with J.D., they will say goodbye in a method befitting a personality as distinctive because the present itself.
