Some television shows are self-aware of their value to the entertainment world, and wisely recognize when it is time to call it a day. The Eighth season of Scrubs ended on a positive note; one that didn’t call for any continuation. But, much like a vehicle owner that firmly believes he can squeeze one last trip down the road out of his once-faithful jalopy, series creator Bill Lawrence decided that he’d give Scrubs a final go. The result was a pseudo spin-off: something that bears the onscreen title of Scrubs: Med School, but is referred to on DVD as Scrubs: The Complete And Final Ninth Season.
First off, this isn’t the same Scrubs many of us had embraced so well. For starters, the setting is different. Instead of the original Sacred Heart Hospital, the series now takes place at a newly-constructed Sacred Heart teaching hospital located within Winston University. The cast has also changed considerably: Judy Reyes’ Nurse Carla is nowhere to be seen; Neil Flynn’s janitor character makes a thirty second cameo in the first episode before disappearing forever; and other series favorites Zach Braff (Dr. Dorian), Sarah Chalke (Dr. Reid), and Ken Jenkins (Dr. Kelso) only pop up in a few of the season’s thirteen episodes (with Jenkins emerging victorious as the most frequent guest star).
But perhaps the biggest change in cast is the addition of new characters. Faithful viewers will no doubt recall the introduction of Eliza Coupe as intern Denise Mahoney in Season Eight. Eliza returns here as a resident teacher/physician, playing second fiddle to the show’s new leads, Donald Faison (Dr. Turk) and John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox); while all three teaching heads preside (and often make room for) newbies Kerry Bishé (who essentially takes over JD’s narrating and daydreaming duties), Michael Mosley (a nice addition, serving as both Dr. Cox’s protégé and Coupe’s love-interest), and James Franco’s little brother Dave (who plays a complete and utter ass).
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