Top 10 Episodes of Scrubs
This is an excellent list submitted by the major Scrubs fan Amilie, who is regular here.
Top 10 Episodes of Scrubs
by Amilie
One of my favorite TV series of all time is Scrubs, a hospital sitcom that rarely fails to delight me with its quirky humor, snarky banter, and profound insights. This series can make me smile about a divorce and cry about an engagement as if that’s the natural thing to do. Sometimes it’s very predictable, sometimes it presents you with such a shocking hairpin plot turn that you go careening off the edge of your seat, gasping for breath. Every episode is a gem in itself, but here’s a list I made of what I consider the top 10 best Scrubs episodes out of the 7 seasons that have been released so far. Enjoy! (note: The review I wrote of each episode contains plot spoilers.)
10. My New Game (4×03)
Normally I don’t smile when two people get divorced, but I made an exception for this heartwarming Scrubs episode, in which Dr. Cox and Jordan’s divorce was conducted very much like a wedding, and was actually one of the sweetest moments in the series. The premise of the two of them actually still being married due to a legal mishap was highly unrealistic, but if you bought into it, it was hilarious. Even more amusing was the Janitor’s prank on JD, spreading the word that Elliot was the chief resident, while JD was the “co-chief.” The entire show was very predictable, but it was sweet and lighthearted and had a good message: if something made you happy before, maybe you should go back to the way things were then.
Normally I don’t smile when two people get divorced, but I made an exception for this heartwarming Scrubs episode, in which Dr. Cox and Jordan’s divorce was conducted very much like a wedding, and was actually one of the sweetest moments in the series. The premise of the two of them actually still being married due to a legal mishap was highly unrealistic, but if you bought into it, it was hilarious. Even more amusing was the Janitor’s prank on JD, spreading the word that Elliot was the chief resident, while JD was the “co-chief.” The entire show was very predictable, but it was sweet and lighthearted and had a good message: if something made you happy before, maybe you should go back to the way things were then.
9. My Bed Banter and Beyond (1×15)
Typically, sitcoms let relationships play out across one or more episodes, starting at the beginning, and letting the events unfold sequentially until the relationship finally breaks down. In a stroke of genius, the directors of Scrubs decided to do this one differently, starting with the day JD and Elliot spent in bed together, and alternating between scenes from the first day and subsequent events that led to their breakup. Oh, and they tossed in some candid videos of the other characters revealing some fundamental truths about relationships, which was a really nice touch that brought characters besides JD and Elliot into the spotlight even though the episode was about them. It was fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time to watch JD and Elliot fall apart while simultaneously seeing how confident they were in the beginning that it would all work out. This episode serves as a reminder to all of us that relationships are fragile, and we need to treasure them while they last.
Typically, sitcoms let relationships play out across one or more episodes, starting at the beginning, and letting the events unfold sequentially until the relationship finally breaks down. In a stroke of genius, the directors of Scrubs decided to do this one differently, starting with the day JD and Elliot spent in bed together, and alternating between scenes from the first day and subsequent events that led to their breakup. Oh, and they tossed in some candid videos of the other characters revealing some fundamental truths about relationships, which was a really nice touch that brought characters besides JD and Elliot into the spotlight even though the episode was about them. It was fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time to watch JD and Elliot fall apart while simultaneously seeing how confident they were in the beginning that it would all work out. This episode serves as a reminder to all of us that relationships are fragile, and we need to treasure them while they last.
8. My Screwup (3×14)
From the quirky opening scene to the final plot twist, every bit of this episode is riveting. In this 20-minute masterpiece, we learn that sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the people you love and that you can’t blame yourself for bad things you couldn’t have seen coming. Dr. Cox’s character is played flawlessly, making it effortless for the viewer to follow along and sympathize with him when he unknowingly brings about and comes to terms with Ben’s death. If you watch it more than once, you’ll notice very subtle hints thrown into the mix that suggest Ben is actually dead. For instance, he says he’ll take photos until the day he dies, and after he dies, he is no longer holding a camera. And the fact that no one besides Dr. Cox notices he is there is glaringly obvious after a few viewings, but barely noticeable at all the first time.
From the quirky opening scene to the final plot twist, every bit of this episode is riveting. In this 20-minute masterpiece, we learn that sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the people you love and that you can’t blame yourself for bad things you couldn’t have seen coming. Dr. Cox’s character is played flawlessly, making it effortless for the viewer to follow along and sympathize with him when he unknowingly brings about and comes to terms with Ben’s death. If you watch it more than once, you’ll notice very subtle hints thrown into the mix that suggest Ben is actually dead. For instance, he says he’ll take photos until the day he dies, and after he dies, he is no longer holding a camera. And the fact that no one besides Dr. Cox notices he is there is glaringly obvious after a few viewings, but barely noticeable at all the first time.
7. My Fallen Idol (5×21)
We get occasional glimpses of Dr. Cox’s weak, vulnerable side throughout the series, but nothing like this. It was sad watching failed attempt after failed attempt to bring him to his senses, but the ending was satisfying. JD summed this up this saga best in the words he used to finally get a drunk and depressed Dr. Cox to start speaking again: “I guess I came over here to tell you how proud of you I am, not because you did the best you could for those patients, but because after twenty years of being a doctor, when things go badly, you still take it this hard. And I gotta tell you man, that’s the kind of doctor I wanna be.”
We get occasional glimpses of Dr. Cox’s weak, vulnerable side throughout the series, but nothing like this. It was sad watching failed attempt after failed attempt to bring him to his senses, but the ending was satisfying. JD summed this up this saga best in the words he used to finally get a drunk and depressed Dr. Cox to start speaking again: “I guess I came over here to tell you how proud of you I am, not because you did the best you could for those patients, but because after twenty years of being a doctor, when things go badly, you still take it this hard. And I gotta tell you man, that’s the kind of doctor I wanna be.”
6. His Story II (3×18)
You know someone is right for you because they’re there for you when you need them, without you even having to ask. What an amazing sentiment. This episode embodies that idea and shows us all just how good it is to have someone in your life who pushes you to be a better person and completes you.
You know someone is right for you because they’re there for you when you need them, without you even having to ask. What an amazing sentiment. This episode embodies that idea and shows us all just how good it is to have someone in your life who pushes you to be a better person and completes you.
5. My Old Lady (1×04)
Two thirds of the plot in this story are largely undeveloped. And if the producers had delayed the sad music at the end of the episode by just 5 or 10 seconds, it would have been vastly more effective. But even taking those shortcomings into account, this episode is still one of the best. JD, Turk, and Elliot each take a big emotional step as a result of the interactions they have with their patients. It’s simple and understated, yet spectacularly done. Besides, what isn’t there to like about a sweet old lady with kidney failure who teaches her young doctor the importance of living a full life?
Two thirds of the plot in this story are largely undeveloped. And if the producers had delayed the sad music at the end of the episode by just 5 or 10 seconds, it would have been vastly more effective. But even taking those shortcomings into account, this episode is still one of the best. JD, Turk, and Elliot each take a big emotional step as a result of the interactions they have with their patients. It’s simple and understated, yet spectacularly done. Besides, what isn’t there to like about a sweet old lady with kidney failure who teaches her young doctor the importance of living a full life?
4. My Way Home (5×07)
Everything in this episode, from JD’s red spray painted shoes to the yellow line on the hospital floors to Jordan “melting” in her sauna-like office, is impeccably integrated into a tribute to The Wizard of Oz that instills faith in ourselves and in each other. It’s inspiring to watch, and one of the most enjoyable episodes of the whole series. Turk’s character is played particularly well, in the scene when he has a serious heart-to-heart with Mr. Bolger’s father.
Everything in this episode, from JD’s red spray painted shoes to the yellow line on the hospital floors to Jordan “melting” in her sauna-like office, is impeccably integrated into a tribute to The Wizard of Oz that instills faith in ourselves and in each other. It’s inspiring to watch, and one of the most enjoyable episodes of the whole series. Turk’s character is played particularly well, in the scene when he has a serious heart-to-heart with Mr. Bolger’s father.
3. My Long Goodbye (6×15)
In the wise words of Carla, “When it’s time for something to happen, you just gotta let it happen.” In this instance, the “something” was Laverne’s death and the near-simultaneous birth of Dr. Cox and Jordan’s daughter. The goodbyes and the ghost that followed Carla around, while unrealistic, provided comic relief to what otherwise would have been 25 minutes of somber mourning. It was sweet to see what everyone said to Laverne on her deathbed and saddening to see Dr. Cox’s conflicted emotions as he fought down the urge to tell everyone Jordan had given birth until after Laverne had died. One of the nice things about this episode is that while the majority of it is very sad, it ends on a positive note, which I think is what Laverne would have wanted.
2. My Cold Shower (6×19)
You’d think that after seeing JD fall in and out of love with Elliot so many times, it would be annoying to see it again near the end of season 6. But this one feels more real than all of the others combined, because at this point, JD has been through enough to evaluate his feelings in a mature and honest way. We can tell this in an instant when we see the contrast between the fantasies everyone has about being married to Elliot. While Dr. Cox imagines her complaining about cracker toppings and Carla daydreams of life being “so much simpler,” JD simply pictures sitting on the couch with her, being genuinely happy that they’re together. The fact that he has this fantasy at Elliot’s engagement while looking upon all of the relationships around him heightens the emotional intensity of the moment, and the sappy Dashboard Confessional soundtrack, “Stolen,” makes it really hard not to cry. This flawlessly-produced episode touches upon every facet of relationships without ever being too cliche or in-your-face.
1. My Lunch (5×20)
The beauty of this episode is that rather than plainly stating the life lesson to be learned, it allowed the viewer to infer it through the unfolding of events. The final scene in this episode is both haunting, deeply moving, and irrefutably the best moment in this mini-masterpiece. My eyes welled up as the final lines were delivered, first JD calling after Dr. Cox as he walks toward the exit, “Remember what you told me? The second you start blaming yourself for people’s deaths, there’s no coming back,” and then Dr. Cox somberly replying, “Yeah. You’re right,” as he walked out the door. Combine that plot thread with the reintroduction of Jill in the supermarket and the absurd storyline about the Todd’s sexuality, and this is 21-minute gem is a winner all around. It touches upon every emotion and expertly contrasts humor with heartrending sadness in a way that I guarantee will take anyone’s breath away.
The beauty of this episode is that rather than plainly stating the life lesson to be learned, it allowed the viewer to infer it through the unfolding of events. The final scene in this episode is both haunting, deeply moving, and irrefutably the best moment in this mini-masterpiece. My eyes welled up as the final lines were delivered, first JD calling after Dr. Cox as he walks toward the exit, “Remember what you told me? The second you start blaming yourself for people’s deaths, there’s no coming back,” and then Dr. Cox somberly replying, “Yeah. You’re right,” as he walked out the door. Combine that plot thread with the reintroduction of Jill in the supermarket and the absurd storyline about the Todd’s sexuality, and this is 21-minute gem is a winner all around. It touches upon every emotion and expertly contrasts humor with heartrending sadness in a way that I guarantee will take anyone’s breath away.
Editor’s note: All readers are welcome to submit list articles of their own to be published on this site! If you have an idea for a list you’d like to submit to this site, please send us an e-mail! with your idea, or just write the post and send it in. Thanks again to the recent contributors to this site for all their great work! ~raptor, editor for Listosaurus Rex
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You know, I barely watch TV, but when I do, it’s Scrubs. It’s the one show that can actually make me laugh! Great list. I just tuned in to the end of Season 6 on ABC and caught “My Cold Shower”. Even though I wasn’t up on the series, I still thought it to be touching and an awesome episode.
I don’t watch scrubs, but it’s stuff like this and all the recommendations from my friends that make me possibly consider it
I wholeheartedly agree with #1. My favourite of all time; the sequence where the patients begin dying, combined with the perfect soundtrack, never fails to jerk a tear or two.
The others are fine choices, but made me realise something; although series two is my favourite overall, there aren’t any real standout episodes (apart from perhaps My Overkill (2×01).
Best ever is My Porcelin God–MJ Fox is adorable and poignant. Plus the script is so original and smart. It’s touching but not overly sweet–a great balance of fun and drama.