Scrubs

Fans of the show Scrubs know just how great it truly was during its run. It’s just too bad it never fared well in the ratings, despite developing a devout following. It persisted through these subpar ratings though, and consistently put out funny episodes, season after season. The second season of Scrubs gives us Scrubs at its best, where it’s funny, moving, and just damn good entertainment.

Scrubs makes use of having multiple story arcs running at the same time, while the development of the show’s main characters both professionally and in relationships remains the constant theme throughout the series. Characters are almost always immersed in their own story arcs, while often playing a role in other character’s story arcs. It gives the show its own style, and gives us the feeling that the characters really need each other to lean on. John Dorian (Zach Braff), or more commonly referred to as J.D., is considered the main character as he narrates the show, and the show starts as he becomes an intern at Sacred Heart Hospital. In the second season, in which he becomes a resident, we follow him as he tries to establish himself as a doctor. He best friend and college roommate Turk (Donald Faison) works at the same hospital, as does Turk’s girlfriend, Carla (Judy Reyes), who’s an established nurse. Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) is the neurotic but smart resident who becomes J.D.’s love interest and Carla’s best friend. John C. McGinley plays Dr. Cox, the egotistical, harsh, rant-spewing ace doctor who just about everyone else is afraid of. Dr. Cox’s rival, Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins) is the Chief of Medicine and often belittles the employees of the hospital. And Neil Flynn plays The Janitor, who has two jobs: keeping the hospital clean and making J.D.’s life impossible by antagonizing him at every chance he gets. He’s average at the former, but excels at the latter. Scrubs examines its characters’ lives (with the exception of the Janitor) inside and outside the hospital. We see the characters fight off personal demons and struggle to adjust to changes in their lives. J.D., Turk and Elliot must adjust to life in the hospital, working long exhausting hours. Dr. Cox must adjust his bachelor lifestyle to aid his pregnant ex-wife, Jordan (Christa Miller). And Carla and Turk must balance their strenuous workload with their relationship, with becomes more serious in the second season. Its plots like these that give us a feeling that these are real people with real problems.

Season two was one of the best seasons for the show as it showcased why the show was so anjoyable. Almost every episode dealt with a serious problem while making us laugh at the same time. Zach Braff isn’t the greatest actor, but he was able to reach just enough emotional depth with his character to keep us interested in his up-and-downs, and he was able to make us laugh enough to truly enjoy the show. The rest of the cast was able to do the same, and so comedic moments could come at any moment. This flexibility helps the show out a lot, and keeps it from feeling redundant, as many medical shows become. Season One of Scrubs was very strong, and Season Two was even better. The only complaint I have is that some episodes can be exceptional, while some can be just average. But this isn’t as much of a problem in this season as it is in Seasons 3 and 4, although there are still a couple of average episodes. In most episodes, the laughs come and come. Scrubs had a great run. And Season Two is the epitome of what a dramedy should be.

While not the smash hit it should be, “Scrubs” has still managed to build a loyal fan base devoted to its distinctive brand of comedy and wacky characters. Created by Bill Lawrence, the sitcom is a hysterical spoof on the countless hospital dramas that have flooded various networks, but shockingly enough, much more realistic on a number of levels.

The show relies heavily on its characters, but it really doesn’t need to. It’s cleverly written with witty dialogue and quirky humor that unlike other sitcoms, it manages to spark a whole series of laughs in any given episode rather than just the few humorous lines that tend to be forgotten shortly after viewing.

Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the entire series is the hilarious monologue that takes place inside the head of the show’s central character, J.D., that could easily be a sitcom of its own. It’s a simple element that has proven to be a spectacular addition to an already flawless series.

What makes “Scrubs” stand out from the other countless sitcoms is the writing. There’s no question that this is a down-right comedy, but there’s an exceptional amount of drama residing in each episode as well. Those who are looking for a good laugh are just as well off as those seeking their daily dose of drama. Also, the one-liners are merely brilliant. You could watch any given episode multiple times and still laugh up a storm.

Unfortunately, as spectacular as this series may be, it’s certainly one of the most unappreciated. While the show’s rating should be sky high, it doesn’t seem to be gathering a very large fan base which is utterly disappointing. Nevertheless, those who have had the pleasure of viewing this one-of-a-kind show have undoubtedly become attached and will stop at nothing to tune in on a regular basis.

I would go as far as to say “Scrubs” is the “Gilligan’s Island” for the new generation. While it hasn’t gathered an enormous fan base at this point, it’s certain to become a hit in the years to come. This is a tremendous series and one of the few true sitcoms still running. If you have yet to see an episode of this tremendous series, you’re missing out on a side-splitting, good time!