Has “Scrubs” lastly discovered its second?
When Invoice Lawrence’s medical sitcom first premiered in October 2001, J.D. (Zach Braff) was an outlier, as was the present constructed round him. Positive, he shared the fears frequent amongst his fellow interns at Sacred Coronary heart Hospital, like his greatest good friend Turk (Donald Faison) and prompt crush Elliot (Sarah Chalke). However Dr. John Dorian at all times felt distinctly misplaced. He was susceptible to outlandish fantasies at inopportune moments, and his demeanor pivoted from foolish to critical on the needle-drop of a “Coldplay” document. “Scrubs” adopted its lead, indulging in goofy bits full with knowingly crass intercourse jokes and cartoonish sound results, all with an underlying earnestness for the hard-working sufferers, medical doctors, and hospital workers.
Nonetheless, what set J.D. other than everybody else wasn’t his daydreaming — everybody in “Scrubs” had their bizarre quirks — it was his sensitivity. He’s considerate (therefore the daydreaming), compassionate (he loves his sufferers), and effeminate (look no additional than the “hairmate”), particularly in comparison with his colleagues. J.D.’s mentor, Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), referred to as him by a special woman’s identify day by day. His boss, Dr. Kelso (Bob Jenkins), berated him for placing affected person care over hospital coverage. His nemesis, the Janitor (Neil Flynn), bought off on torturing him, and even J.D.’s BFF was a conventional dude-bro: cocky, sporty, and never too eager on discussing his emotions with the fellas.
Ostensibly, the unique “Scrubs” was about J.D. rising up — a easy coming-of-age story boosted by a zany sitcom spirit. However beneath that simple broadcast enchantment, the sequence was about J.D. proving — to himself and the world — that his model of doctoring may work; that his massive feelings weren’t a flaw to be ironed out by the hospital’s day-to-day grind, however an asset to be developed and utilized to the hospital’s profit.
Over 9 seasons, J.D. did precisely that. He held onto his singular character whereas succeeding as a physician. Some would argue “Scrubs” adopted go well with: Setting apart the restricted awards recognition and early scores peak (forward of Season 4, Selection reported it was “by no means a broad hit”), 9 seasons is a long term for any TV present (even within the early 2000s), reruns proved widespread after the sequence resulted in 2010, and now ABC is investing in a revival. When there’s nonetheless demand for J.D. and Turk in 2026, past their omnipresent T-Cellular adverts, that’s a hit. (Are the adverts guilty for bringing “Scrubs” again? Possibly! However I can’t go down that rabbit gap.)
However that was then. Can they do it once more? Can J.D. do it once more? Can he show his delicate strategy to drugs, barely matured over time, continues to be what Sacred Coronary heart wants? What little narrative hook there may be for the “Scrubs” revival — which performs like a protected mixture of the short-lived soft-reboot, “Scrubs: Med” (aka Season 9) and the unique sequence — hinges on that query, whereas inviting a brand new one: What if J.D. was forward of his time?
I understand how that sounds, given this century has featured nearly as a few years with “Scrubs” as with out it, however our surreal trendy world is best acquainted with the likes of J.D. than the one he first walked into. Beta masculinity clearly wasn’t broadly accepted within the early 2000s. (If it had been, the character wouldn’t have stood out — at Sacred Coronary heart, or in a TV sitcom panorama headlined by “The King of Queens,” “All people Loves Raymond,” and “Sure, Expensive.”) Emotionally weak males didn’t actually acquire prominence within the 2010s both — not when hope ceded a lot floor to hate. However at a time when the male loneliness epidemic will get as a lot consideration as precise ailments and HBO is touting a “good” model of “Sport of Thrones”… is it lastly J.D.’s time to shine?
The brand new “Scrubs” (with Aseem Batra as showrunner) premieres after sequence creator Invoice Lawrence (who’s solely an govt producer this time round) has spent the final six years bending the world to his will — of kindness. “Ted Lasso” made being good cool once more (for 2 seasons, at the very least), and Lawrence’s chipper, delicate male leads proceed to undermine poisonous traits. In “Shrinking,” Jimmy (Jason Segel) tries to be a greater dad than his personal car-loving, incommunicative, commitment-phobic father (Jeff Daniels). In “Dangerous Monkey,” Yancy (Vince Vaughn) is probably the most talkative non-public eye on TV. He’d relatively crack a case by connecting over a number of beachside beers than connecting his closed fist with the suspect’s jaw.
J.D. predates these guys by twenty years, however when “Scrubs” (2026) picks up once more, he’s their age (late 40s, early 50s). Working as a concierge physician for wealthy Californians isn’t precisely his dream job. Positive, there are perks — extra time for his youngsters, more cash for his youngsters, wait, do you keep in mind J.D. has youngsters? — however he’s remoted and, sure, lonely. So when Dr. Cox calls asking for a favor, J.D. leaps on the probability: Come by the outdated hospital, go to your rich affected person (who was admitted for an emergency process), and when you’re right here, assist get the brand new group of interns to fall in line?
“I can’t work them loopy hours and even abuse them anymore,” Dr. Cox says by means of explaining his newfound ineffectiveness as a instructor. Maybe J.D. can consider methods to attach with “TikTok Doc” (performed by Ava Bunn, who’s at all times recording herself), ‘Fraidy Doc (Jacob Dudman, who “will get a bit woozy” doing any process in anyway), and Impolite Doc (David Gridley, who has a basic case of Dangerous Bedside Method). There’s additionally Regular Doc (Amanda Morrow), one in all Turk’s interns who’s mainly Younger Turk (no connotation), however that’s a bit dismissive of ‘Fraidy Doc, who’s mainly a Younger J.D.
For individuals who keep in mind, J.D.’s first hurdle as an intern was that he couldn’t carry out any of the procedures himself. Dr. Cox compelled him to step up (or man up, maybe?), so it’s becoming that J.D. has to discover a option to get ‘Fraidy Doc over his fears, particularly when he proves to be simply as delicate as J.D. ‘Fraidy Doc truly says “kindness is one of the best drugs,” which not even J.D. can let stand. (“No, drugs is one of the best drugs,” he impatiently replies.)
Except for serving as mirrors into the previous, the interns don’t actually matter to “Scrubs” (which is why I haven’t bothered to make use of their correct names). Via the primary 4 episodes, they’re given solely the loosest character traits and the corniest dialogue. (Netflix isn’t the one studio mandating redundant dialogue to help bored viewers.) In contrast to Season 9, when Kerry Bishé’s intern took over the voiceover and Braff was relegated to visitor star appearances, interns aren’t the main focus anymore. In 2026, “Scrubs” continues to be J.D.’s present, for higher or worse.
The “higher” components come up when “Scrubs” merely tries to be its outdated self: Turk and Elliot combat over J.D., medical and surgical interns combat over who’s smarter, a random individual instantly hates J.D. and spends the remainder of his life (presumably) fucking with him. (Whereas Neil Flynn is missed, J.D.’s new rival, performed by Joel Kim Booster, admirably commits to filling the viciousness void.)
What’s “worse” might not override what’s working prefer it did in Season 9 (and, if reminiscence serves, for a number of seasons prior), however issues get clunky when the foolish fantasy sequences fade into critical life classes, and too a lot of Season 10’s jokes are as predictable because the plotting. It’s additionally slower and uglier, with an excessive amount of area in between dialogue and too little life within the hospital units.
However the familiarity can also be an issue. J.D. turning into a typical character in 2026 places the onus on “Scrubs” to tell apart itself in different methods. We’ve already bought Ted Lasso (returning this yr), Jimmy Laird (releasing new episodes by means of early April), and Andrew Yancy (“Dangerous Monkey” Season 2 is in manufacturing), to not point out characters not created by Invoice Lawrence, together with Place Bonnet, Dave Burdand See Dunk. What can “Scrubs” supply that they aren’t already offering? What edge does it have apart from a two-decade head begin? It’s fairly clear J.D. suits in 2026, however why can we want him?
Followers who simply need to delight in nostalgia ought to be completely happy, they usually might even be rewarded if “Scrubs” dares to query what a world of empowered J.D.s may appear to be. May his have to be appreciated by everybody battle along with his job’s extra impersonal tasks? Is he too simply manipulated or too oblivious to taking part in favorites? Is he the proper man to steward a brand new era, or is he simply one other outdated white man who will get the possibility?
Searching for solutions could also be sufficient to justify returning to “Scrubs” yet one more time. Discovering them may very well make it significant.
Grade: C
“Scrubs” Season 10 premieres Wednesday, February 25 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC with two episodes. New episodes might be launched weekly and out there on Hulu the following day.