Scrubs is, without a doubt, my favourite show ever. Then again, the extent of my TV serial viewership goes only so far as this, Heroes, Reaper, Doctor Who, and (in its infancy) How I Met Your Mother. But as a passive viewer of all the "classic" sitcoms, especially the now-very-dated-looking 90s output, nothing has come close to gripping me like Scrubs.
I can actually remember the very first episode of Scrubs I ever watched - it was "My Advice to You", which I remember only because I wasn't paying attention enough to realise that Tara Reid and Sarah Chalke weren't the same character (again, NOT paying attention. Like, at all). But this coincided with a fairly long illness for me, which left me bed-ridden for a good number of weeks, and one of the only things I could do to full capacity was watch the telly, and through this I began watching Scrubs. It's also worth noting that the first episode that properly hooked me into the show is the one that appears at No.1 on this list (hint: yes, it's an obvious one).
Anyway, I decided that I should make a list of my top 10 episodes - this means my own favourite episodes, not a general overview of what I think everyone's favourite is (though to be honest, the No.1 would probably still be No.1). This means no bloody My Musical - I've heard so many people say they love this episode, but it marks the definite point where Scrubs started going very wrong. For me, anyway. At least they brought it back to some level of quality for Season 8.
And no. There are no episodes of Season 9 featured in this list. Do not insult me.
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10. "My Clean Break" - Season 3
Season 3 often gets a bad rep but in my opinion it's one of, if not my favourite series of the show, even despite Tara Reid showing up way longer than anyone would've liked. This episode is the one in which JD tries, initially fails, but then finally manages to break up with Reid's character, Danni. While that part of the episode is good, it's the Dr Cox side that makes this one of my favourite episodes. Acting almost as a second narrator in his conversation with his "shrink", we see him teaching the residents who begin to procrastinate in light of Cox's recent pleasant demeanour. I really wish that the classroom teaching scenes had been used more in the series, as the playful banter and usual Cox teachings were a joy in this episode. And the reveal at the end of Cox's "shrink" as his son Jack (to a soundtrack of my current fave artist, Ryan Adams) just adds to an already fantastic episode.
Honourable Mention: "My Choosiest Choice of All"
It was a toss-up between this or "Clean Break", and I went for the latter because by the end of the series we've delved back into JD's angsty Elliot troubles (and Tara Reid is still there). That being said, this episode has the always-hot Dr Miller, the musical stylings (and actual presence) of the Polyphonic Spree, and one of the best Janitor storylines, culminating in one of my favourite final shots of an episode in the entire series.
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9. "My Way Home" - Season 5
This was the 100th episode of Scrubs, and was directed by Zach Braff himself, so one could expect beforehand that it was going to be an extra-special episode. It's definitely one of the only outright fantastic episodes of Series 5 (where the series begins to slip; though it doesn't pick up real speed until Series 6). The appearance of the Worthless Peons is always fun for an episode, and provides a welcome change to the usual indie-pop soundtrack of the show. In terms of story, I feel it's one of the tightest they've done in terms of everything being relevant to the central point or theme (this is where they began to fall apart in Series 6, when they stopped having some sort of point to episodes and just made it a soap opera) - in this case, The Wizard of Oz. It's definitely one episode that deserves repeated viewing, just to pick up all the references to the movie (my favourite being the decidely obvious but still cracking delivery by Cox of "pay no attention to the man behind the curtain"). No episode quite came close to this one until Series 8.
Honourable Mention: "My Chopped Liver"
Putting aside the obvious other choice of episode from Series 5 - the token "serious" episode, My Lunch - this was probably my second favourite. While it does herald in the growing loss of subtlety to each episode's message (where it's actually said by a character rather than just allowing the audience to realise it), the JD story is still decent, but what steals the show is the side-plot with Dr Cox, and JD's outrage at his apparent mentorship of the new interns. His takedown of Lesley would make Johnny the Tackling Alzheimer's Patient proud.
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8. "My Best Moment" - Season 4
Just as series 3 gave the show some brilliant stand-alone episodes amongst the JD/Elliot/Sean narrative throughout ("My Butterfly" being the one most touted), series 4 returned the show to a state of constant stand-alone episodes, where there was no big story running through the entire series. Because of this, I find series 4 to be the best entry point for anyone wanting to get into the show (besides starting at the beginning). It's really a perfect episode for examining Scrubs' appeal; great story tying in all the characters, great banter and that (much search for adjective other than great) fantabulous balance of comedy and drama that the show excelled in. And like "My Choosiest Choice of All", has a great musical buildup for the ending.
Honourable Mention: "My Unicorn"
The episode that Matthew Perry appeared in and directed. Scrubs definitely chose its guest stars well, and while his character was definitely just good for the one episode (unlike the guest star in No.7 on the list) he definitely worked. And the Old Murray gags still get me.
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7. "My White Whale" - Season 3
Dr Norris is my absolute favourite character to only appear in a single episode, just edging out Spence in "My Dream Job" and the aforementioned Murray. But unlike Murray, I think Dr Norris could've easily because a solid supporting character, and it would've been AWESOME. The potential for further run-ins with Cox would've been hilarious. In terms of the rest of the episode, it's good enough but the beat-boxing intern kind of annoys me, which is why this episode isn't higher up the list.
Honourable Mention: "His Story"
The first of the non-JD-narration episodes, following Dr Cox instead as he visits his shrink Dr Gross, yet another one-episode guest that could've gotten more mileage. Also has Carla finally accepting Turk's proposal, and one of my favourite Scrubs soundtrack moments, "Question" by the Old 97s.
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6. "My Bed Banter and Beyond" - Season 1
One of the first episodes of Scrubs that, in my opinion, really showed what great writers they could be in terms of episode structure. Here, we go between the day when JD and Elliot stay in bed eating pizza all day; up to a number of weeks later as their relationship progresses and falls apart; and the video "interviews" with the characters. Like "My Clean Break", this featured a number of Dr Cox "narration" moments without him being actual narrator, schooling about relationships and such like. The interviews were probably the strongest aspect of the episode as it offered something vastly different from what viewers had expected before. On top of that, Dr Kelso has never been more sinister than in his last remark about his wife, Enid...
Honourable Mention: "My Sex Buddy"
The JD/Elliot saga continued, in the following season. Nothing beats the fanfare, but the end of the episode (aided by a soundtrack of Del Amitri) sums up everything about their whole relationship in the first 2 and 3 quarter series. Of course, the following series it happens again but this time JD goes for it, and... well.
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5. "My Finale" - Season 8
Ah yes, the finale. An hour long but it still only counts as one, yeah? After the shitstorm of seasons 6 and 7 I didn't think it was possible for me to properly love new Scrubs again, but season 8 (kind of) restored my faith. That being said, I wasn't prepared for an actual properly outstanding finale, but that's what we got. There were disappoints, yes - all the talked-up appearances by past characters, like JD's brother Dan, were just momentary cameos in a dream sequence (though I suppose it was fitting enough); and more importantly, where the hell was Doug? I think the only somewhat prominent character from the series run that didn't appear, in dream or reality. Hell, we even got Dr Miller again, not that you'd recognise her; I didn't (that's her just behind Laverne in the photo). And while the JD-learns-a-personal-message-through-a-patient story was still the unsubtle gargle that had plagued the last few seasons, it's made up for by the last 10 minutes of the episode, a constant barrage of perfect conclusions that made me realise I'd miss Scrubs more than I'd thought: the reveal of the Janitor's name was spot-on, it would've been ridiculous to actually get a definitive and unquestionable name; the release of 8 seasons worth of tension as Dr Cox tells Sunni how he really feels about his forced-upon mentee, with JD standing behind him the whole time and then finally getting that hug ("you smell like a father figure"); and the could've-been-naff-but-actually-perfect fantasy of JD's future - the bit when JD is opening his huggable arms to someone offscreen is just glorious, as you KNOW it's Cox, you absolutely know it's Cox. And the sign-off of "maybe just this once, my fantasies will come true" is right on the money, end of episode, end of series. Perfect.
Fucking series 9, I swear to God.
Honourable Mention: "My Last Words"
The second episode of series 8, and the first that made me really think "right, they're back". An episode rooted in the show's dramatic side, it's also the first that doesn't feature all of the main characters in some capacity; only JD, Turk and Carla appear out of all the leads. It actually took until the end of episode for me to realise this, and it could've made the episode seem dull or empty, but the returned strength of the writing ensured this wasn't the case.
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4. "My Old Lady" - Season 1
While Scrubs is top-notch in terms of its comedy, it always seems to be the dramatic episodes that garner most support. This was only the fourth episode of the entire series, but it definitely sets the tone for all of the show's future dramatic episodes. All the comedic gags are still in place: the ton of bricks, the "Rewind" switch in JD's apartment... but at the show's heart is the human drama. The episode acts as a turning point for its leads: JD's first major experience with death; the development of Carla and Elliot's relationship; and Turk separating himself from the pack of surgical interns to connect with his patient. And while the episode could've been downbeat and depressing, it keeps it hopeful with the main theme of making the most of your life. I only got into Scrubs late on in its run (round about when series 5 was airing) but if I had been watching this as it aired for the first time back in 2001 I would've known then and there I was witnessing the start of a classic series.
Honourable Mention: "My Old Man"
Okay, this one is the honourable mention because it's got "Old" in the title. But it's another episode that I really enjoyed, and it's such a shame that this is John Ritter's only appearance in Scrubs (aside from a flashback later on in the series). The balance between Sam Dorian as the playful oaf and the lonely travelling salesman is done perfectly. The shot of him sitting on JD's bed before he sees JD is heartbreaking. Then of course, he asks JD to pull his finger.
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3. "My Interpretation" - Season 2
The episode with literally everything. A while ago I was thinking about Scrubs moments I really enjoyed from season two, and I remembered:- funeral sex, the Janitor's junk, Dr Cox as his own son (see above), Turk's sex dream about Elliot and the Germans. Then I realised, wait - they are in the same episode. It's probably still the best out-and-out comedic episode of the series, and also features the lovely Amy Smart, which is an added bonus. I don't think there's much else I can say about this episode other than it is comedic crack.
Honourable Mention: "My Dream Job"
The last episode of season 2, with the always awesome Ryan Reynolds as JD and Turk's college buddy Spence. Aside from being funny as hell, this gets an honourable mention for the fact that AMY SMART JUST TOTALLY DISAPPEARED FROM SCRUBS. Seriously. The previous episode had her and JD falling out but then reconciling, and all of a sudden, she's gone and never heard from again. Weird.
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2. "My Philosophy" - Season 2
It was this episode that made me want to write this list. Yet another example of Scrubs' perfect balance of comedy and drama, and adding in the wonderful Broadway fantasy at the end, absolutely Scrubs' best musical moment. Guy Love aside, My Musical was a really disappointing episode for me because the cast are extremely talented, and the episode could've been a full-length version of this level of brilliance, but instead the dire lack of subtlety and cartoony humour that plagued the later seasons of the show took hold. A shame, because if they've tried a bit harder it would've been No.1 by a long shot. The other storyline in this episode, of the couple expecting a child, doesn't let it down; in fact, it's that storyline that makes the bulk of the episode, and just as you're relaxing into the happy resolution that both the mother and baby are safe, we come right back to Elaine, the heart patient. She's another character that would've been good to see back in the show a bit more, though I guess the problem of being dead gets in the way. Still, she came back in one of JD's fantasies (along with Mrs Tanner from "My Old Lady") in a later episode. Far from leaving out the others, the episode also sees Turk propose to Carla, and Elliot demanding a female locker room with the help of Ted. Fun fact about this episode: the actress playing the research fellow - yes, that is the same actress who plays Lady in future seasons. I pay far too much attention.
Honourable Mention: "My Overkill"
The opening episode of series 2, and the first appearance of Colin Hay in the series. While I kind of went off this episode because it was on telly a bit too much, it's still a fun opener, and different from anything that preceeded it. Also, Colin Hay wrote the song at the end of "My Philosophy" too, so bonus points.
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But of course...
1. "My Screw Up" - Season 3
The first time I saw this episode, I hadn't realised it was Ben that had died midway through, I obviously wasn't paying enough attention. But I still enjoyed it, and it was all very sad at the end. On repeated viewing I finally noticed it, and watched it again straight away, catching all the little signs and what not. Nothing less than the most clever episode of Scrubs there is, one that sets out to trick you (succeeding with me) thus making the reveal at the end all the more emotional. I know it kind of defeats the purpose, but it's such a damn shame that Ben had to die because he is one of the best guest characters in the show, and like Dr Norris and Dr Gross, his character brings out the best in Dr Cox, and with it comes the best episode of Scrubs there is. It's definitely about the little things you notice: apres-mort, Ben no longer has his camera (which he swore to carry "until the day I die"), he's wearing the same clothes, the actual meaning behind Dr Cox's belief "never to attend anything when the guest of honour has no idea what is going on"..... like Into the Wild and the last 10 minutes of Lord of the Rings, it never fails to bring a tear or two.
Honourable Mention: "My Occurence"/"My Hero"
The two-part episode in the first series where we first meet Ben. Again, Brendan Fraser's appearance makes for two absolutely terrific episodes, the first one especially, with similar deceptive storytelling. My only gripe with it is, they shouldn't have revealed what he had in the middle of the episode, as it would've been a lot more effective to have JD chasing around an unknown ailment until the end. But a small gripe it is, and anyway, when he reveals Ben's leukemia in the middle of the episode I mute it to get the desired effect.
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Well, that was fun. Here's my latest Spotify playlist, with a Scrubs theme:-
29 May
Ciao for now.
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