HTF DVD Review: Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season

I have been privileged to review several seasons of the deliciously madcap, heartwarming, sweet and silly comedy show, Scrubs; and I maintain that this is one of the most a unique and exuberant comedies filled with bizarre fantastical flashes and genuine elements of drama in which the characters jest and joke throughout their days at Sacred Heart hospital.

The main cast has been with the show since the beginning – and hasn’t really changed that much from their core nature - though age and wisdom have crept in them. JD, the narrator and central character of Scrubs is played by the extremely likeable Zach Braff. His character is a soft-hearted, lovable goof with an overt effeminate view of the world and love for all things. He banters with his best friend, Turk (Donald Faison), a talented surgeon and his wife Nurse Espinosa (Judy Reyes). Fellow Doctor’ Elliott Reid (Sarah Chalke), a clumsy, speed-talking relationship ‘train-wreck’ and ‘The Todd”, a substantially endowed surgeon and a chronic ‘sexual harasser’ add spice and absurdity to the hospital crew. The rest of the staff is rounded out by the ‘rich with sarcasm’ Dr. Cox (John C McGinley), the man who works to grind everyone down verbally and physically and the bane of everyone’s existence, Dr. Kelso (Ken Jenkins), a selfishly narrow-minded, chauvinistic old fart who runs the hospital and revels in making each of the hospital staff’s lives difficult. And adding to the struggles of JD’s world is the Janitor (Neil Flynn), who manages to find some of the most ingenious ways of exploiting JD’s whimsical approach to life and everything in it.

Each of the characters and the actors who portray them, are as comfortable and well defined as they can be. Donald Faison’s Turk and his beautiful onscreen wife played by Judy Reyes, light up the scenes they are in with a genuine affection, chemistry and comedy rich partnership that often steals the show. But the world of Sacred Heart revolves around Zach Braff’s lovable and feeling JD.

To be perfectly honest, however, Scrubs was in a strange place during its eighth season. A shifting behind the scenes, with fluctuations in how long the main players would be attached to the show and the switch from NBC (who didn’t treat this show very well) to ABC (who generally did better by it), a different pulse was created.  The balance of seriousness-to-silly did manage to swing back to the goofier side, avoiding the M*A*S*H syndrome (from its latter years) of too dark a tone, but the series continues to slow down. Zach Braff’s youthful goofiness has waned somewhat and was accompanied by facial hair that this reviewer never seemed to get used to. The introduction of a new set of interns did help the material and each of the new faces was written well enough to not become replacements or knock-offs – but none are standouts yet (one left the show for a permanent spot on NBC’s new sitcom, Parks & Recreation). There is perhaps one exception, with actress Sonal Shah who portrays Sunny. Her sweetness and innocence create some good comedic outcomes and is one to keep an eye on.

Scrubs is still a unique show. A distinct comedy that has for years balanced fantasy infused laughs with genuine heart-tugging moments of real emotion, and is able to say something about love, friendship and relationships in its stride. As it stands, Scrubs is still filled with a high dose of quirks and quips and the same accomplished balance of sarcasm and deep bonds between the employees of Sacred Heart, but it continues to feel tempered.

My Bahamas Trip:  – This extra feature is shown in widescreen (and enhanced for 16X9 televisions) and is introduced by show creator Bill Lawrence. It features the actors sunning it up on a small Bahamian island as they shoot a two-part episode.

Scrubs should probably have ended with season 8, but a big part of me is pleased that the doors of Sacred Heart will likely remain open on ABC for at least one more season; albeit with the shows first change in its main cast. The show still works, the characters still endear, and the interactions of the very likeable cast still help create an easy show to watch and enjoy. Once again, this show is recommended.