Michael Suarez
The following review contains spoilers for the entirety of Season 1 of the Scrubs revival
The Scrubs revival was not perfect, but then again, the original run of the show was not perfect, though the fourth and fifth seasons came pretty close. The season (series?) finale, “My Celebration,” felt like just that, a celebration. With the return of familiar faces and a nice wrap-up for the interns, we end at a wedding reception, with J.D. narrating things. Truth be told, if the new series were to end here, I’d be completely satisfied.
The premiere found J.D. returning to Sacred Heart, ultimately to take over Dr. Cox’s job as Chief of Medicine. It was a fantastic episode that had me excited to keep watching. However, I must admit there were times when that excitement was replaced by boredom, confusion, and annoyance. The show’s middle run of episodes felt disjointed, from J.D. and Elliot’s post-divorce fighting to the new interns to some strange plot choices. I still don’t fully understand why the writers felt the need to have Carla not invite J.D. to a barbecue he’s been frequenting for a decade and a half. Though ultimately explained, it was unnecessarily awkward.
The characters, both old and new, are so good. Seeing J.D., Elliot, Turk, and Carla (not to mention the Todd and Hooch) was great, and the interns were fun. Still, not sure why we needed two episodes about how Sam’s social media use is a good thing. The first time, sure, but the second time? The writers did not have to hit me over the head. I get it. Social media can be a good thing. I also tire of “will they, or won’t they?” plotting, even if it involves sweet characters like Asher and Amara.
Thankfully, my patience paid off. Though I wasn’t the biggest fan of Sam at the season’s start, she became one of my favorite new interns, and the writers put the kibosh on Asher and Amara’s non-romantic storyline. Personally, I loved seeing Sam confess her feelings to Asher in the finale, because I see them as a really good fit, and they could make for interesting stories if we ever see a second season.
This is not to say that I didn’t love the Scrubs revival, because, overall, I did. If I had to go through the growing pains a lot of first seasons have, it was ultimately worth it. J.D. and Turk are still a perfect duo, the two gossipy nurses were a hilarious Greek chorus I needed more of, and the emotional storyline involving the return of Dr. Cox in the season’s final two episodes was inspired. Scrubs has always been a show that was both hilarious and emotional, and the revival never shied away from indulging in both. That said, I do want to focus on the last two episodes, “My Odds” and “My Celebration.”
In the former episode, J.D. finds out that Dr. Cox is sick and is determined to have a place in Cox’s treatment, and although it’s no surprise that by the episode’s end it happens, it felt completely earned to me. I never felt the need to ponder whether Cox’s presence throughout the season would’ve made the last scene of the episode more emotional, because I didn’t need to. I had nearly ten years of the show to draw from, not to mention John C. McGinley’s performance, which nearly had me in tears.
I applaud the show for taking real steps to show that bad things happen to people, good or bad. The interns were constantly challenged in this way, and having J.D. face this as well reminded me of what I loved about the show in the first place when I first saw it a quarter of a century ago. Scrubs can make me laugh, whether through J.D.’s fantasies, the surreal detours, or even the relatable mistakes people can make. What it can also do is make me care. The level of pathos the show has always been capable of is seriously impressive. To go from one minute with Turk jumping on a treadmill while tossing a mannequin’s head into a garbage can to the next, where a character I love is crying, is not an easy thing to do, but the show has had the gift to do it.
The easy example is “My Screw Up” from Season 4, the episode that garnered the show’s only Emmy nomination for writing. This is the episode where Dr. Cox deals with some major trauma that ultimately reveals itself in a heartbreaking twist. Though the episode had some heaviness throughout, really the biggest emotional punch comes within the final minute or two. It’s an incredible episode, and although “My Odds” doesn’t reach its heights, it took me there again. Frankly, McGinley deserves some Emmy love, especially given that he was never before nominated.
This brings us to the finale “My Celebration,” which sees the return of Cox’s love Jordan and, finally, the Janitor. The episode is a triumph that manages to pay off the new stuff while making plenty of time for the familiar faces. Jordan is as tough and mean and hilarious as ever, and so help me, I miss the heck out of the Janitor, and seeing where his story goes is a delight. It’s one of the things I’d love to see continued if the show goes on.
We even have Rachel Bilson make an extended experience, and it’s honestly inspired casting. She could’ve easily played a love interest of J.D.’s from the old show, and I hope to see her back, too. Mostly, though, it’s nice to see that the nine episodes that made up the revival didn’t feel wasted. I love seeing where the interns ended up, even if I felt the show spent too much time with them throughout the season. Seeing the familiar faces all over this episode gives me hope we’ll see everyone back in a possible Season 2.
This revival wasn’t perfect; few are. Yet, I can definitely see myself revisiting a few episodes in the future, something I’ve never done with the original show’s Season 9. It is my hope to see it return. What lessons do I hope the writers learn? Less on the interns, and more on the reason Scrubs is Scrubs. More J.D., Elliot, Turk, Carla, Dr. Cox, Jordan, the Janitor, and everyone else who occasionally stopped by. Bring them all back in some capacity.
The show has still got it. I laughed, and I cried. Just give me more of the characters I love. Maybe one day I’ll feel the same about the interns, but right now, as much as I’d like to see their stories continue, I wouldn’t miss them if they didn’t return. Overall, I recommend the show to anyone who, at the very least, liked the show’s original run. Stay with Scrubs, even through some of the awkward mid-season episodes. It’ll be worth it.
